Mastercard Foundation has withdrawn its $100 million investment commitment to 54 Collective, a prominent African venture capital firm, amid declining funding for tech startups in Africa. This decision, effective April 30, 2025, will lead to layoffs at 54 Collective, which has invested in over 70 startups since its founding in 2018. The withdrawal raises concerns about the future of startup funding in Africa, which has already seen a 25% year-on-year decline in 2024. Experts emphasize the need for African entrepreneurs to create sustainable business models independent of philanthropic funding, as reliance on such support is increasingly viewed as unsustainable.