Deadline: January 31, 2026
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2026 for Tanzanians is now open for applications, offering a transformative opportunity for growth-stage EdTech ventures across Tanzania. This prestigious programme is designed to support impactful education technology innovations that advance inclusive learning for young people, women, persons with disabilities, and underserved communities. With access to funding, mentorship, regulatory support, and global networks, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2026 for Tanzanians equips EdTech companies with the tools they need to scale sustainably and increase their reach. The programme builds on the success of past cohorts that have significantly expanded educational access across the country.
About the Opportunity
The EdTech Fellowship is delivered by Sahara Consult in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. It targets EdTech companies that are legally registered in Tanzania and are actively working to improve the country’s education landscape through technology and innovation. The fellowship focuses on ventures dedicated to promoting inclusive learning, increasing access to education, and designing solutions that benefit underserved groups. It serves as a robust accelerator pathway—offering specialised technical expertise, business support, and connections to key stakeholders in the education and technology ecosystem.
Eligibility
To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a legally registered EdTech company in Tanzania.
- Operate as a growth-stage venture addressing educational challenges with technology.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive learning outcomes for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other underserved groups.
- Provide certified copies of all required company documentation, including:
- Relevant BRELA registration certificates
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Valid business licence
- Submit only human-generated responses. AI-assisted or AI-generated application responses are strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
Benefits / Award Details
Selected fellows will receive a comprehensive suite of support designed to accelerate their growth and deepen their impact, including:
- Customised technical support to improve product quality, user experience, and technological performance.
- Business mentorship, providing guidance across strategic planning, operations, sustainability, and scale.
- Regulatory and compliance support, helping ventures navigate Tanzania’s education and technology regulations.
- Strategic partnerships and networking opportunities, connecting companies to investors, industry leaders, government stakeholders, and educational institutions.
- Growth-hacking support, enabling ventures to expand their user base and reach between 8,000 and 10,000 learners during the fellowship.
- Free access to learning science short courses from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), supporting improved pedagogical design within EdTech products.
- Up to USD 70,000 in equity-free funding, allowing companies to scale without giving up ownership.
- One-year post-acceleration support, offering continued mentorship, visibility, and ecosystem engagement even after the main programme concludes.
Application Requirements / Documents
Applicants must upload certified copies of the following:
- Official BRELA registration documentation
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate
- Valid business licence
- Any other legal or compliance documents requested within the application portal
All responses in the application must be human-generated. AI-generated content is not allowed and may result in disqualification.
Timeline / Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 January 2026 (23:59 EAT)
How to Apply
Interested EdTech companies are required to complete the official online application form and upload all required documents.
Use the link at the bottom of this post to apply.
Selection Process
Candidates will be assessed based on the strength of their EdTech solution, commitment to inclusive learning, capacity for scale, and alignment with the fellowship’s strategic priorities. Previous cohorts have demonstrated significant growth, increased profitability, and expanded reach across Tanzanian learning communities. The selection process ensures that participating ventures are well positioned to make measurable contributions to inclusive education.
Additional Information / Terms
The programme is designed to strengthen Tanzania’s EdTech ecosystem, supporting ventures that deliver meaningful and sustainable learning outcomes. Companies should be prepared to demonstrate clear traction, an understanding of their impact metrics, and a realistic plan for scaling access to underserved groups. All application responses must be fully original and human-written.
Host Organisation
The fellowship is hosted by Sahara Consult, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, as part of ongoing efforts to expand inclusive, technology-enabled education across Tanzania.
Application Links
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