We Can Work
Light For The World and Mastercard Foundation partner to enable youth employment for young Africans with disabilities across 7 sub-Saharan nations.
About the "We Can Work" Initiative
Light For The World and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to launch "We Can Work", a landmark initiative to enable young women and men with disabilities in Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work.
This project is a key component of the Mastercard Foundation's overall Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people to secure dignified work by 2030. Through "We Can Work", systems and societal mindsets are transformed so that 150,000 young persons with disabilities participate fully as economic actors.
Transformative Systemic Impact
"We Can Work" moves beyond traditional training models by actively changing institutional practices, policies, and market attitudes—ensuring disability inclusion becomes standard practice across employment sectors in Africa.
Project Objectives
Transition to Dignified Work
Support young women and men with disabilities in transitioning to dignified and fulfilling work, entrepreneurship, and self-sustaining economic activities.
Strategy Integration
Ensure disability inclusion becomes part of the Young Africa Works strategy and programmes, embedded directly into market and system actors.
Inclusive Policy Representation
Representation of young women and men with disabilities to ensure an inclusive policy environment across all target nations.
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Transform lives today by donating to help African Disability Forum achieve its goals.
Donate HereTarget Countries in Africa
The "We Can Work" initiative is being implemented across seven target sub-Saharan African countries:
Ethiopia
East AfricaKenya
East AfricaUganda
East AfricaRwanda
East AfricaGhana
West AfricaNigeria
West AfricaSenegal
West AfricaDonors & Strategic Partners
Driven by a collaborative alliance uniting international disability development organizations, global philanthropic leaders, and African regional OPD networks.
Light for the World
International Disability Development NGO
Mastercard Foundation
Young Africa Works Strategic Partner
African Disability Forum
Continental Federation of OPDs
Regional OPDs
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
Gallery
Glimpses into youth training, workplace inclusion, vocational excellence, and advocacy activities across our partner nations.
Inclusive Enterprise Workplaces
Partnering with employers to build accessible workplace environments and equal career pathways.
Digital & Technical Skills
Equipping young women and men with in-demand technical capabilities for modern labor markets.
Youth Disability Leadership
Empowering young self-advocates with disabilities to actively influence national employment policy frameworks.
Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Supporting young founders with incubation, mentorship, and access to financial opportunities.
Systemic Mindset Transformation
Conducting employer readiness workshops and community outreach to dismantle disability stigmas.
Policy & Institutional Dialogue
Working alongside governments and system actors to enforce inclusive labor legislation.