Impact of Ecosystems on Africa
To enhance the stability and growth of African health sectors, HECO focuses on increasing the number of primary healthcare workers with stable employment by assembling essential building blocks for these sectors.
The purpose of the Health Ecosystems Pillar is to train and prepare a new generation of talented health professionals with the broad sets of skills required to drive equitable and inclusive growth in Africa.
The Health Collaborative develops these building blocks to ensure that there are always sufficient numbers of highly skilled, work-ready graduates across a spectrum of disciplines responding to Africa’s needs.
Programs under the Health Ecosystem Pillar are tailored to equip young leaders with the perspective, skills, training, and credentials essential for developing innovative, sustainable, and equitable health sectors.
The Power of Partnership
Our Goal and how HECO and Partners work together
Train professionals across a broad range of disciplines critical for sustainable and equitable health-sector growth.
Under the Health Ecosystems Pillar, Health Collaborative Partners work to co-create and train a new generation of talented health professionals with advanced skills required to drive equitable and inclusive growth in Africa.
Explore HECO Activities
Programs
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IMIx Certificate of Effective Healthcare Management
Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Mississauga
Canada
Introduction to Africa Health Public Policy
Ashesi University, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Toronto Scarborough
Canada
Ghana
Master of Biotechnology
Institute for Management & Innovation, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Master of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Master of Health Administration
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Master of Health Informatics
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, University of Toronto
Canada
Centre for Reimagined Africa (CRA)
African Leadership University, University of Toronto
Canada
Mauritius
Rwanda
Research & Innovation
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Needs Assessment Research Study
News & Updates
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From Clinic to Country: Building Ethiopia’s First Integrated Model for Older Adult Health
What began with one doctor questioning fragmented care for older adults has grown into a pioneering model for Ethiopia. With leadership skills strengthened through the IMIx Certificate, Dr. Asrat built an integrated clinic now informing the country’s healthy aging efforts.
Apply for the Fully-Funded Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) PhD Fellowship Programme
This four-year programme supports emerging African health researchers and leaders to conduct community-focused research, strengthen health systems, and translate evidence into meaningful policy impact.
Young Leaders Redefining What Health Work in Africa Means
This International Youth Day, read about how the AHC’s young leaders are challenging traditional ideas and reimagining health work, strengthening health systems, and building the future of healthcare across Africa.
Building Bridges for Safer Births: How Funmi Odushola connects trusted community caregivers with formal healthcare in Nigeria
Safe childbirth often depends on more than access to a health facility—it depends on trust. In Nigeria, Funmi Odushola is helping build bridges between traditional community caregivers and the formal health system to support healthier pregnancies and safer births.
Apply for the Fully-Funded Effective Healthcare Management Program (2026-2027 Cohort)
Apply for this fully-funded 9-month online program designed to equip Africa’s next generation of healthcare leaders with advanced skills in healthcare management and strategic leadership.
Apply for the Introduction to Public Policy Summer Course by Ashesi University
This opportunity is open to alumni and graduating students from our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities.
Advancing African-Centred Health Professions Education
The African Health Collaborative at the Addis Ababa University (AHC–AAU), through its African Hub for Innovation and Critical Scholarship in Health Professions Education (Hub) hosted its 2026 Annual Conference. The two-day event, held at the Haile Grand Hotel, brought together more than 80 academics, policymakers, scholars, and international partners. Participants examined the internationalization of higher […]
Apply for the AIMS Master’s in Mathematical Epidemiology (MathEpi) Scholarship
Apply for the 2025 AIMS MathEpi Master’s program. Fully funded scholarships for African students in statistics and public health. Deadline: March 15.
Engineering Dignity: Designing Low-Cost Prosthetics in the University of Cape Town’s MedTech Lab
Read about how Jemila Abdulai’s internship at UCT’s MedTech Lab strengthened her commitment to human-centered engineering, demonstrating how affordable innovations like the ADL Arm can expand access, restore dignity, and transform lives in underserved communities.
Graduate Scholarship Opportunities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Apply for graduate (MPh, MSc, MPhil, PhD) scholarships at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Building Community-Led Health Futures in Cape Town
Learn about how the University of Cape Town is partnering with communities in South Africa to co-create health solutions for better health outcomes
2026-2027 Graduate Scholarships Open at the University of Toronto
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026-2027 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in the associated health-related […]
Want to learn more about the HECO pillar?
Lead, Strategic Initiatives
Suying Hugh, EdD
Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation
