Sewit Aderom Appointed as President and CEO of Mastercard Foundation
In a significant development for the Mastercard Foundation, Sewit Aderom will officially assume the role of President and CEO on January 1, 2026. Her appointment, revealed in Toronto, marks a milestone as she becomes the first African woman to take on this leadership position within the organization.
Sewit is a highly talented global leader with a deep understanding of Africa. She embodies the Foundation’s values.
The foundation’s board unanimously selected her following a global search, recognizing her as a visionary leader deeply connected to African realities. Zain Abdallah, the Board President, noted, “Ms. Sewit is a highly talented international leader with a deep understanding of the continent. She reflects the Foundation’s values of listening, partnership, and lasting impact.”
A Career Forged at the Intersection of Technology and Finance
Sewit Aderom’s academic background includes a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Columbia University. Her career spans various sectors, including technology, finance, and sustainable development. She began at Citigroup’s investment banking division in New York, followed by her tenure at Helios Investment Partners, a leading investment fund in Africa. Additionally, her experience with Industry Promotion Services (IPS), the Aga Khan Development Network’s investment branch, deepened her understanding of the continent’s socio-economic challenges.
A visionary entrepreneur, Aderom co-founded Gro Intelligence, an innovative data and analytics platform focusing on agriculture, climate, and economic development. Her pioneering work has garnered international acclaim and underscores her commitment to using technology to enhance food security and bolster Africa’s resilience.
Committed to the Foundation’s Mission
Having served on the Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors for two years, Aderom brings a profound understanding of the organization’s mission and values. She expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The Foundation’s commitment to helping young people find dignified and rewarding jobs resonates deeply with me. I look forward to listening and learning from young people, our teams, and partners, and strengthening collaborations that drive lasting change.”
Her approach emphasizes listening and co-creation, continuing the legacy of Reeta Roy, who retired after 18 years of transformational leadership. Both women are set to collaborate until the end of the year to ensure a seamless transition.
We must trust African entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators. They are the ones who will shape the future of the continent.
Advancing Key Initiatives
Under Aderom’s leadership, the Mastercard Foundation will further its flagship programs, including Young Africa Works, which aims to create 30 million dignified jobs for African youth by 2030, and Elev, which supports 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada in achieving academic and career success. To date, over 66 million people have benefited from the Foundation’s initiatives, with 18 million young individuals—over half of whom are women—finding employment.
Aderom emphasized that the key to success for new CEOs lies in fostering trust and empowering local communities. “We must trust African entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators. They will shape the future of the continent,” she asserted. This perspective aligns seamlessly with the Foundation’s new strategy, which places local partnerships at the core of its impact model.
Sewit Aderom represents the best of Africa: discipline, creativity, and faith in the potential of youth.
A New Era in Philanthropy
The appointment of Sewit Aderom as President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation symbolizes more than a leadership change. It heralds a new era in global philanthropy that recognizes Africa as a key architect of innovation and progress. Observers view her nomination as a testament to the continent’s rich talent and leadership on the world stage.
Board members remark that “Sewit Aderom represents the best of Africa: discipline, creativity, and belief in the potential of young people.” With extensive experience spanning New York, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa, she is well-equipped to lead the Mastercard Foundation into a new chapter, with a clear vision of empowering African youth as a driving force for global advancement.
