AfrEA and Mastercard Foundation Solidify Strategic Partnership for African Evaluation

The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) and the Mastercard Foundation have taken significant steps to operationalize a transformative new partnership, cementing a collaboration designed to advance the field of evaluation across the continent.

Aligning Visions in Nairobi

The foundation of this partnership was laid during a high-level, dynamic co-creation workshop in June 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. In this pivotal engagement, the AfrEA team, led by its President, Dr. Miché Ouédraogo and the Mastercard Foundation leadership aligned their respective visions. It was here that the framework for the collaboration was defined; a shared commitment to inclusive, African-led evaluation excellence that prioritizes local context and indigenous knowledge.

Strengthening the Strategy in Accra

Building on that strategic alignment, the partnership moved into strenghtening phase with a recent onboarding session at the Mastercard Foundation’s offices in Accra, Ghana. Led by AfrEA Executive Director Mr. Carlos Akligo, the AfrEA delegation participated in deep-dive sessions on the Foundation’s policies and procedures. This engagement was crucial for grounding the high-level vision established in Kenya into a concrete operational framework, ensuring that the partnership is built on shared values and ready for immediate impact.

Three Pillars of Collaboration

With the strategic vision set in Nairobi and the operational groundwork laid in Accra, the partners are now embarking on a journey focused on three key pillars:

• Strengthening Systems & Capacity: Launching continental initiatives to develop evaluation capacity and strengthen existing national systems.
• Elevating Indigenous Knowledge: A commitment to integrating African perspectives into evaluation methodologies, ensuring that data reflects the realities of the continent.
• Empowering Youth & Women: Promoting the representation and leadership of young people and women to foster growth and diversity in the field.

A Commitment to the Future

This dual engagement in East and West Africa underscores a deep commitment to ensuring that African voices shape the future of evaluation. As we move forward, AfrEA is excited to turn these fruitful deliberations into tangible actions that drive representation and leadership across the continent.