I-Train Africa, a rising pan-African EdTech company equipping African youth and professionals for the future of work, has been selected as one of the 12 pioneering startups to receive $100,000 in funding from the prestigious Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2025.

At the heart of I-Train Africa’s mission is its Skilled for Work Academy (SFW), a flagship digital workforce training platform that closes the gap between formal education and employability. With a reach across 20+ African countries and 4 continents, the academy’s signature offering—the Workplace Fundamental Skills (WFS) Program—has empowered over 11,500 learners in just the last 12 months alone.

Designed over three years using design thinking methodology and tested on nine demographic groups, the WFS program delivers digital fluency, career clarity, professional communication, and remote work readiness to underserved populations often excluded from formal tech upskilling.

“This recognition affirms our mission to make global employability a reality for Africans—no matter where they live or what background they come from,” said Dr. Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju, Founder & CEO of I-Train Africa.

“The Mastercard Foundation’s support will help us deepen our impact, strengthen our infrastructure, and scale our reach to the millions still waiting to be seen, trained, and empowered.”

With the support of the Mastercard Foundation and the backing of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), I-Train Africa will expand its programs, invest in learner success systems, and accelerate inclusive workforce development across the continent.