Accra: MEST Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, today officially announced 12 EdTech companies selected for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. The companies bring the number of Ghanaian-owned solutions accelerated through the Fellowship to 36.
According to Ghana Web, the 2026 cohort exemplifies the EdTech Fellowship's commitment to versatility and regional inclusion, with solutions spanning innovative learning tools, teacher training, school management platforms, and gamified learning tools across seven regions in Ghana. Since its launch in Ghana in 2024, the Fellowship has impacted 691,376 learners, with the current cohort building on this reach.
"This milestone proves that high-quality digital education is no longer a distant goal but a present reality," said Angela Duho, MESTx Senior Manager, MEST Africa. Central to this impact is ensuring inclusivity, with the program achieving 48.8% female representation and reaching 337,055 young women. It also extends to remote areas, providing resources to 105,234 rural learners and supporting 19,880 people with disabilities.
Bennette Osae Addo, Programs Manager at Academic Talent Development Program, emphasized the program's significant impact, stating, "The fellowship's timing was perfect, arriving as we positioned ourselves for a significant growth expansion phase. We leveraged the program's resources to refine our product-market fit and build a robust foundation."
The selected companies for the 2026 cohort include innovative platforms such as Robotek, Syllabus Gh, and Keep Premium, among others. These companies offer solutions ranging from robotics kits and personalized study companions to teacher training and inclusive STEM learning systems.
Wariko Waita, Director at the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the importance of technology in reaching historically excluded populations. The EdTech Fellowship aims to transform education systems, provide inclusive tech-enabled solutions, and sustain Africa's EdTech entrepreneurship. The third cohort will undergo a six-month acceleration period, receiving capacity building and up to $60,000 in equity-free funding.
The EdTech Fellowship, launched in 2019 by the Mastercard Foundation, supports Africa-led EdTech companies in addressing educational challenges across the continent, particularly in Ghana, where it tackles critical gaps in K-12, higher education, and vocational training.