A meal for every transaction: How Mastercard is helping disadvantaged children to achieve long-term success
Sponsored by Mastercard
Mastercard’s Senior Vice-President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Shehryar Ali (left), and Wairimu Nyandia, Chief Operations Officer at Food4Education, commemorating their agreement to provide meals for school children in Kenya.
In a world where many children face the harsh reality of having to forego education because of hunger, Mastercard has stepped up to address the challenge.
The global payments company has teamed up with the Food for Education Foundation (Food4Education) in Kenya, and Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) in Nigeria, to provide over 300,000 meals to school children in underserved communities across Kenya and Nigeria. The initiative is aimed at ensuring not only food security but also a path towards a brighter future for the next generation.
The collaboration stems from Mastercard’s unique cause marketing campaign, launched in February 2024 in partnership with Glovo, a multi-category app that connects consumers with restaurants, pharmacies, groceries and retail stores.
For every transaction made with a Mastercard on the Glovo app in Kenya and Nigeria, a meal was donated to a child in need. This simple, yet impactful model transformed everyday transactions for groceries into a tangible solution for hunger while simultaneously overcoming educational barriers.
Hunger and education: An unlikely pair
The link between hunger and education is undeniable. For many children in low-income areas, hunger is a persistent challenge that affects their ability to focus, engage, and perform in school. In Kenya, nearly 30 percent of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting), and the country continues to face widespread food insecurity, which affects children’s learning capabilities.
According to UNICEF, school feeding programmes have been shown to improve children's educational outcomes, significantly reducing dropout rates in communities with high food insecurity.
With its collaborations, Mastercard is addressing these critical issues head-on. By providing nutritious meals, the initiative aims to improve school attendance, concentration, and overall performance for children in underserved areas. This not only helps in their immediate development but also sets the stage for long-term success.
Mastercard’s commitment to social good
“At Mastercard, ‘doing well by doing good’ is a core principle that guides our efforts,” says Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice-President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands. “Through our collaboration with Food4Education and Glovo, we are tackling one of the most pressing issues facing underserved communities – child hunger. This initiative enables students to focus on their education without the distraction of an empty stomach, empowering the next generation to realise their full potential.”
Ali’s words echo Mastercard’s broader vision of driving positive social impact through strategic collaborations. By aligning with local organisations such as Food4Education and Glovo, Mastercard is creating an ecosystem of support that empowers communities from within.
“At Glovo, we believe in the power of collaborations to drive meaningful change. Working with Mastercard on this initiative allowed us to extend our impact beyond convenience and into communities in need, ensuring that every meal delivered brought hope to a child’s future,” says Diego Nouet, General Manager for Glovo Sub-Saharan Africa.
A lifeline for students in Kenya
For Food4Education, the partnership represents a significant opportunity to scale their operations and reach even more children. “We believe that no child should have to choose between hunger and education. Our collaboration with Mastercard allows us to provide the meals these children need to stay in school and succeed,” says Wawira Njiru, Founder and Executive Director of Food for Education.
Founded in 2012, Food for Education has provided over 15 million nutritious school meals to over 100,000 children across Kenya. With a mission to feed one million kids a day by 2027, the organisation is addressing hunger and ensuring children can focus on learning instead of worrying about their next meal.
From transactions to transformation
The power of this initiative lies not just in the meals provided, but in the ripple effects it creates within communities. School meals have been shown to increase enrolment rates by as much as nine percent and attendance by up to eight percent. This is according to research by the World Food Programme (WFP, 2023). Moreover, children who receive adequate nutrition are more likely to continue their education and eventually contribute to their communities as adults.
Mastercard cardholders also play a key role in driving this transformation. With every transaction on the Glovo app, users actively contribute to this cause, turning everyday purchases into opportunities to change lives. This seamless integration of social good into the consumer experience allows individuals to be part of the solution, making a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children.
A holistic approach to community support
Beyond financial contributions, Mastercard employees are also directly involved in the initiative. They volunteer their time to help serve meals, amplifying the impact and fostering a deeper connection with communities. This holistic approach to sustainability is at the heart of Mastercard’s long-term vision, ensuring that its efforts leave a lasting footprint not only in terms of financial support but also through meaningful human connection.
“Corporate responsibility is more than just writing checks,” says Ali. “It’s about being there on the ground, understanding the challenges, and working hand-in-hand with the communities we serve to drive sustainable change.”
Building a future together
The collaboration between Mastercard, Food4Education and Glovo goes beyond addressing immediate needs. It lays the groundwork for future progress.
“Mastercard’s initiative with Glovo and Food4Education transforms everyday payments into meals for children at HGM Ting’ang’a Primary School, bridging the gap between hunger and education, and paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for Kenya’s next generation,” says the school’s head teacher, Hellen Mubea.
With approximately 1.9 million people in Kenya or 12 percent of the population facing acute food insecurity, initiatives like these are a lifeline for the country’s future by helping to create a more equitable and prosperous society.
Small actions can create large-scale impact, and this initiative is a shining example of how business and philanthropy can come together to solve pressing societal issues. Mastercard and Glovo are not only feeding children, but also nourishing their potential for a brighter tomorrow.
