Business
UBS Optimus Foundation and co-funders commit USD 29 million to Chancen International's Future of Work Fund, scaling student financing in Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa
Chancen International has announced it has secured USD 29 million for its Future of Work Fund (the FWF). The FWF is a cutting-edge funding model that uses Income Share Agreements (ISAs) and will enable more than 15,000 young people to access quality education, offering an alternative to traditional debt-based student loans and reducing financing risks. This investment in the FWF includes a new commitment from the UBS Optimus Foundation and its developed and sponsored SDG Outcomes Fund, alongside
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[{"type":"text","content":"ZURICH, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chancen International has announced it has secured USD 29 million for its Future of Work Fund (the FWF). The FWF is a cutting-edge funding model that uses Income Share Agreements (ISAs) and will enable more than 15,000 young people to access quality education, offering an alternative to traditional debt-based student loans and reducing financing risks. This investment in the FWF includes a new commitment from the UBS Optimus Foundation and its developed and sponsored SDG Outcomes Fund, alongside a growing community of funders. The FWF's goal is to close at USD 33 million by the end of 2026.","length":638,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""This funding milestone is a breakthrough for the youth in Africa," said Batya Blankers, CEO of Chancen International. "With visionary partners like the UBS Optimus Foundation, we're not just financing education – we're opening doors to dignified work, social mobility, and economic empowerment for thousands of young people."","length":354,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":232,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/bb175e00bc2b7b31dceab6a30dd6cc94"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/muFlvPuZAGBqVdF2WVxE0Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQwOQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/bb175e00bc2b7b31dceab6a30dd6cc94","width":400,"height":232},"resize_sm":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nRu4TiIpd.b5G4r3.xrWWA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTM3MQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/bb175e00bc2b7b31dceab6a30dd6cc94","width":400,"height":232}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2980472/UBS_Map_Infographic.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"By 2050, over half of the world's working-age population will reside in Africa and South Asia, with Africa emerging as the youngest and fastest-growing region globally1. This demographic shift offers a historic opportunity for a "demographic dividend" – but only if quality education, jobs, and economic growth are provided. Currently, the reality is stark: every month, one million young people in Africa enter the labor market, yet only 25% secure for...