Peter Materu

Peter Materu is the Chief Program Officer at the Mastercard Foundation, where he leads programs focused on youth employment, education, and financial inclusion. He previously had a 17-year career at the World Bank, driving significant higher education initiatives in Africa. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and began his career as a Professor and Dean of Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Peters professional life is driven by a passion for leveraging technology to create educational and economic opportunities, bridging the gap between his engineering background and his work in international development. He is deeply committed to fostering systemic change in Africa through strategic philanthropic partnerships and long-term investment in the continents youth.

He uniquely transitioned from a successful career in academia as an engineering dean to becoming a global leader in international development and philanthropy.