The programme will be undertaken in collaboration with Hatua.net, an independent UK and US registered charity dedicated to promoting education and employment among youths.

MasterCard has pledged $50,000 and established a dedicated programme to provide crucial employment skills to young people in Kenya and Uganda.

The programme will be undertaken in collaboration with Hatua.net, an independent UK and US registered charity dedicated to promoting education and employment among youths in both nations.

MasterCard will sponsor a variety of scholarships to help people get access to education and training.

Furthermore, MasterCard will offer two graduate programme placements, including an 18-month rotation programme followed by the potential for a permanent career in the company, as well as internship placements.

"Our goal is to build both foundational knowledge and 21st-century skills to ensure that our youth have the necessary networks, tools, and solutions to help them reach their potential and achieve career success," said Shehryar Ali, MasterCard's senior vice president and country manager for East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

''This relationship with Hatua.net illustrates our commitment to creating a more equal and prosperous future for all," says the company.

"Hatua," which means "the next step" in Swahili, attempts to interrupt the cycle of deprivation.

Hatua.net sponsorships provide kids with the opportunity to build a brighter future by partnering with elementary schools in some of Nairobi's and Kampala's most challenging neighbourhoods, as well as secondary schools with a demonstrated capacity to place students in premier universities.

Since 2010, the firm has assisted over 500 students in completing their studies.

"At Hatua.net, we are working to take children out of the slums, provide them with an education, and ultimately enable them to go back and uplift their entire communities," stated a Hatua.net spokesman.

''Partnerships with private-sector partners like Mastercard enable us to expand this objective even further. While our initial focus is on children in school, with the chances provided by MasterCard, they can continue to determine their lives after graduation and in the labour market."

Along with this, a specialised mentorship programme will provide practical skills such as interview training, CV reviews and job application assistance, Microsoft Office application training, and communication skills, with support from MasterCard's Talent Management Team.