Social empowerment is understood as the process of developing a sense of autonomy and self-confidence, and acting individually and collectively to change social relationships and the institutions and discourses that exclude poor people and keep them in poverty. Poor people’s empowerment, and their ability to hold others to account, is strongly influenced by their individual economic empowerment (such as how much money they have, ownership of land, housing, livestock, savings etc.)

Using youth employment as an indicator of progress, The Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works that aims to help millions of Africans find a pathway out of poverty for themselves and their families through Financial inclusion and youth employment initiatives.