Why we are backing Lalitah

Nigeria continues to face high levels of youth unemployment and low female labour force participation, with many young women unable to translate skills into sustainable livelihoods due to limited access to finance, business support, and market opportunities. While numerous programmes focus on skills development, many stop short of helping women build viable businesses or generate lasting income. We are supporting Lalitah because we believe economic empowerment requires more than training—it requires an ecosystem that enables women to move from learning to earning. By integrating skills development with business formalisation, access to finance, mentorship, and market linkages, Lalitah is creating a more holistic pathway for young women to participate in and benefit from Nigeria's economy. Through the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, we will support the team in strengthening this model and demonstrating how integrated support can unlock sustainable economic opportunities for young women across Nigeria