Why we are backing Skill Ladder

Nigeria continues to face a persistent gap between skills development and employment, with many young people completing training programmes without the practical competence, confidence, or evidence of skills needed to secure meaningful employment. This challenge disproportionately affects young women, who often face additional barriers to accessing quality learning opportunities and entering the workforce. We are supporting Skilladder AI because we believe workforce readiness goes beyond acquiring knowledge—it requires opportunities to build competence, apply skills in realistic assessment environments, and receive actionable feedback that prepares learners for employment. By providing access to learning resources, continuous skills assessments, simulated test environments, and verified competency profiles, Skilladder AI is helping learners, particularly young women and girls, develop the confidence and capabilities employers value. Through the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, we will support the team in strengthening this approach and demonstrating how technology can improve employability and create more inclusive pathways from learning to earning for young Nigerians