About the Fellows

Allahren Marie-Helene has more than two years of experience with the International Organization for Migration.  She currently works as a logistician for migrants seeking reintegration assistance.  Marie-Helene earned a master’s degree in finance and treasury from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration du Niger.  Marie-Helene is highly motivated by resource management.  After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she intends to apply her newly acquired knowledge and skills to improve management strategies in her community and workplace.

Abdulsalam Ashade has over ten years of field experience in plastic recycling.  He established the first plastic recycling plant in his hometown of Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria, and is the founder and executive director of the Green Janitors Sustainable Initiative, which focuses on climate change, the circular economy, recycling, environmental sustainability, and youth activism.  Abdulsalam has effectively trained youths on how to turn waste into wealth, enabling them to find alternate sources of income.  His programs have served as a means of educating the public about proper waste management, assisting many homes in changing their mindsets about waste separation from source through sensitization and the distribution of free waste bags.  Abdulsalam coordinates hundreds of volunteers from several states in Nigeria.  He has been featured in various international journals, magazines, and websites.  He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting, is an associate environment and safety manager (AESM), and possesses Health, Safety, and Environment 1, 2, and 3 certifications.  Abdulsalam plans to run for executive chairman of his local government after completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship in order to facilitate policies that will help address issues such as plastic pollution, environmental sustainability, and clean water

Lois Nana Adjoa Aubyn has been at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in Takoradi for over 11 years.  She is currently an assistant principal supervisor in the Marine Operations Department’s Oil and Gas Unit.  She was part of the team that established GPHA’s Oil and Gas Unit and is currently the department’s only female team leader.  Lois is a Sasakawa fellow with a master’s degree in maritime affairs, a bachelor’s degree in procurement and logistics, and a higher diploma in ports and shipping management.  She is the local union vice chairperson of GPHA Takoradi, as well as the Takoradi District youth secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).  In these roles, she advocates for better working conditions, better welfare packages, and more training opportunities for employees.  She also serves as the organizing secretary for the Network of Professional Women in Maritime and Ports for West and Central Africa, Ghana Chapter (NPWMP-WCA), which mentors young females interested in joining the maritime industry, organizes capacity-building programs for women in the industry, and advocates for their rights and equal opportunities.  She volunteers with the Renel Ghana Foundation, which distributes sanitary pads to schoolgirls, and Clothe the Naked, an NGO that provides clothing, outreach programs, and educational scholarships to the most fortunate.  Following the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Lois will continue her mission of building capacity for women in the maritime industry, as well as expand her menstrual hygiene project with Renel Ghana, which aims to create pad banks in three Ghanaian districts.

Amadou Ba has over nine years of experience in electrical engineering.  Amadou is currently the main agency manager at African Rural Energy, focusing on electricity distribution in Senegal’s rural areas of Tambacounda, Kaffrine, and Kedougou.  As an electrical engineer, he works every day to improve electricity access and energy efficiency.  Amadou actively participates in community service initiatives for the public good, such as cleaning days, reforestation days, mentorship, and financial assistance.  Amadou has a master’s degree in infrastructure management and electrical energy services.  After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Amadou intends to lead major initiatives promoting renewable energies in order to fully realize Africa’s energy potential.

Jonathan Bekanga has nearly a decade of experience in construction, including rural development, public works, and the mining industry. Jonathan is the head of the technical department for the Office des Voies de Desserte Agricole in the Lualaba Province, where he oversees teams of men and women who build infrastructure to transport and deliver food to large towns. With experience in both the public and private sectors, he is an excellent candidate for public-private partnerships. Jonathan, an affiliate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a micromaster’s degree in project management from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Jonathan hopes to encourage his government to invest more in rural infrastructure while overseeing large-scale projects.

Nisha Chengo has over five years of experience in diplomatic relations and international affairs. Currently, Nisha is a diplomat at the Regional Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Department in Seychelles, where she focuses on regional affairs and cooperation. With a Master of Arts in conflict, security, and international development from the University of Leicester and a bachelor’s degree in international relations, Nisha is deeply committed to promoting development, peace, security, and cooperation in the region whilst leveraging opportunities from international partners. Her extensive involvement in diplomatic summits, meetings, and training programs, underscores her dedication to fostering positive change. Nisha is also actively engaged in community work, serving as a member of the Seychelles National Multi-Stakeholder Committee for the Open Government Partnership and a country representative of the United Nations Youth NGO in Seychelles. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Nisha plans to further advance her career in the field of diplomacy and continue her efforts to promote and enhance positive development in Seychelles.

Abibalaye Diakite has over six years of experience in diplomacy and international cooperation. Currently, Abibalaye is a foreign affairs advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali, focusing on the negotiation and implementation of conventions. He is also a trainer in human rights and international humanitarian law at the Peacekeeping School Alioune Blondin BEYE of Bamako. Abibalaye holds a master’s degree in international law and graduated from the National School of Administration of Mali. Abibalaye is committed to serving his country by improving the management of public administrations. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Abibalaye plans to use the skills and opportunities gained to better serve his country and the Malian population.

Assane has more than five years of experience working in biomedical laboratories. He is a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) and biomedical laboratory scientist at Kaffrine Regional Hospital, where he oversees the quality department. His responsibilities include conducting biomedical analyses to aid in diagnosing and treating disease, as well as ensuring the accuracy of the results delivered. From 2022 to 2023, Assane led the Senegalese hospital residents’ and former residents’ associations. He was also a founding member of the Federation of Residents and Former Residents of West African Hospitals, which was created in Dakar in May 2023. Assane holds a master’s degree in healthcare facility management. He became interested in healthcare because he wanted to improve people’s health and life expectancy. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Assane intends to work as a senior administrative executive for the Ministry of Health. He hopes to develop and implement a special health coverage program for underprivileged members of the population, akin to the Medicare system in the United States.

Luce Gangoue is a nonviolent human rights activist from Congo Brazzaville. In 2012, she worked with the Association of Young Friends of Congolese Youth to advocate for young people’s rights. Since 2016, she has led a peaceful and nonviolent campaign with the Ras le Bol movement, criticizing the decline in civic space, social injustices, poor governance, and the absence of democratic culture in Congo. Following a campaign for the liberation of political prisoners, her involvement with the Ras le Bol movement resulted in her arrest and detention at the Brazzaville remand center in 2018. Since 2020, she has served as the coordinator of the Kaani Association, an organization dedicated to feminist activism and women’s participation in the battle for human rights. In 2021, Luce joined the Action Center for Development. Since January 2022, she has taken part in and led several events to raise public awareness about topics such as abductions, harassment of activists and human rights defenders, women’s participation in the co-construction of democratic culture, and citizens’ civic and community engagement. Luce earned a degree in fundamental private law in 2013 and a degree in business administration in 2015. She also has a master’s degree in local development and authority management. At the end of the Fellowship, Luce plans to collaborate with public institutions and local authorities to promote local development programs that involve communities.

Natsnet Mulubrhan Gebrhiwet has over eight years of experience as an exploration geologist. Currently, Natsnet is an exploration geologist at the Ministry of Energy and Mines focusing on assessing geological data and conducting field studies to identify potential mineral or resource deposits. Natsnet is a member of the National Union of Eritrean Women, which works for women’s rights, opportunities, empowerment, and equality. She is also a member of the African Union. Natsnet holds a master’s degree in Mineral Exploration. Natsnet is motivated to make a difference in the socio-economic conditions of the nation. She plans to contribute towards mobilizing Eritrea’s natural resources to improve the country’s GDP, create job opportunities for citizens, develop infrastructure and industry, expand government revenue, and promote technological advancement. Another important sector she is working on is the social structure of the nation, related to cultural norms and values. She works to reduce violence against woman, underage marriage, female genital mutilation, and other degrading cultural practices. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Natsnet plans to pursue success in achieving equal education for citizens, increasing the percentage of women at leadership levels, and creating a competitive entrepreneurial company.

Jennifer Githu has over eight years’ experience in the areas of good governance, program management, anti-corruption, digitization, and human rights. Jennifer is currently the focal person for anti-corruption programs at the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa. She is an advocate for Kenya’s High Court and has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi. She has led and supported the implementation of global, regional, and national projects at UNODC, such as the Kenya Global Integrity Education Project, the East African Youth Blockchain Hackathon, the African Young Parliamentarians Projects, and the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery’s anti-corruption component. Prior to joining UNODC, she worked for Kenya’s Ministries of Youth and Devolution. Jennifer was the youngest delegate chosen to represent Kenya at the African and Arab World Youth Forum (WYF). Jennifer is also an East African Uongozi (Leadership) Institute Fellow, funded by the Ford Foundation. She was the secretary general of the Women Students Welfare Association (WOSWA) and the editor-in-chief of the University of Nairobi Law Journal. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Jennifer plans to return to international development work in Africa, engage in policy advocacy, research, and innovation, and advance in leadership.

Tefetso Nicolus Kele is a youth leader with a keen interest in sustainable finance, international trade, and investment law. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the National University of Lesotho and works as an attorney in the Lesotho courts. Tefetso is passionate about intra-African trade, which he has advocated for in a number of forums, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Empowerment Programme (Sebabatso), the Africa-BRICS Youth Forum, and media interviews in Lesotho, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. He is a member of the AfCFTA’s Independent Continental Youth Advisory Committee and the Lesotho Chapter’s Secretary General. Tefetso is the founder and chairman of the Nicolus Kele Forum, an intellectual and interpersonal discourse platform dedicated to developing a culture of dialogue and thought leadership among young people. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Tefetso plans to develop the Nicolus Kele Forum into a think tank with a focus on international trade and investment.

Kausar Khan brings over a decade of experience in engineering and renewable energy to her role as a senior consultant at Arup. She specializes in crafting clean energy strategies for municipalities and renewable energy projects. Her leadership on eThekwini’s regional green hydrogen strategy demonstrates her ability to navigate technical complexities with strategic vision. Kausar holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a certified project management professional. Following the completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she seeks to expand her work in developing sustainable energy solutions for cities in the global south. With her expertise and passion, Kausar is poised to make significant strides in advancing clean energy initiatives and addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Petrus Kwenye has over two years of experience in HR management and development. Petrus is currently employed as a learning and development officer at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Ministry of Health and Social Services, where he is responsible for identifying and facilitating training needs for hospital staff. He is a former intern with the United Nations under UNESCO, where he provided executive and coordination support to the UNESCO representative in Namibia. Petrus has volunteered at a metal-impaired center in Windhoek and a visual-impaired center in Rundu, and he founded Millennium of Change. Petrus earned a master’s degree in international relations, diplomacy, and management. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Petrus intends to establish a fully registered non-governmental organization (NGO) to address community social ills. The NGO will primarily assist people with albinism and will collaborate with relevant ministries and donors to ensure proper health care for albinos in the Kavango East and West Regions.

Rajab Lukwago has over six years of experience in public administration and management and is currently a senior assistant secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, specializing in public administration and management. He is the president of the Young Professionals Network of the Association for Public Administration and Management, an association that unites public administrators and managers across Africa. Rajab is also the vice chairperson of the board of directors for the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), a non-profit organization championing human rights in Uganda. Rajab holds a bachelor?s degree in law and a master’s degree in public administration and management. Driven to make a positive impact on public administration and management in Africa through mentorship and coaching, Rajab plans to create a structured mentorship program for young public administrators and managers in the civil service upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. As he advances in his career, Rajab also aspires to influence policies that would integrate mentorship into the legal framework of the Ugandan civil service.

Barbara Mokwatlo has over 10 years of experience in the education sector.  Currently, Barbara is an educator at Leboneng Primary School, focusing on facilitating and empowering young learnepreneurs.  She also serves in the school-based support team to provide support for learners with learning difficulties and barriers.  Barbara holds a bachelor’s degree in education.  Barbara is motivated, dynamic, driven, and committed to eradicating youth unemployment by equipping learners with an entrepreneurial mindset and financial literacy skills.  Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Barbara plans to build vocational schools in every province to support learners with moderate learning disabilities so that no learner will be left behind.

Mohamed Mroivili Fakri has over seven years of experience in biodiversity and marine ecosystem management and in policymaking. Mohamed is a country coordinator at the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, as well as a climate adaptation officer at the Comorian Ministry of Environment, focusing on climate action policy. He is co-founder of the Climate Action School, a project that aims to teach climate action practices to young people in primary schools. Mohamed holds a master’s degree in Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystem Management. Mohamed is committed to developing greater leadership skills in policy making and management to be more impactful in his community. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Mohamed plans to use the skills learned during the Fellowship to help his institution in terms of leadership and management and contribute to the implementation of climate policy in his country.

Constance Mulenga has seven years of experience as a medical doctor. Currently, Constance is a senior resident at Ndola District Health Office working as a clinical supervisor at the Ndola Cholera Treatment Center. Constance has worked with people with disabilities, advocated for children’s well-being and continues to promote health equity for all. Constance holds a medical degree. Constance is committed to improving the lives of others through her medical career and every way she finds possible. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Constance plans on advancing free, easily accessible but prestigious health care services for everyone regardless of social economic status, gender, age, profession, or other obstacles.

Kganetso Sekome completed a dual doctoral degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and Loughborough University. He also holds a master’s degree in public health with specialization in rural health. He is a research fellow jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Centre and the University of the Witwatersrand. Kganetso is a lecturer in the physiotherapy department at the University of the Witwatersrand. His research background and interests include rural health and rehabilitation, primary health care, and transformation in rehabilitation curriculum

Mokshadha Shibnarain has over eight years of experience in volunteering, advocacy, youth empowerment, and social work. Currently, Mokshadha is a preregistration house officer at Dr. Bruno Cheong Hospital in Mauritius. Mokshadha holds a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the University of Geneva. Mokshadha is driven to apply scientific knowledge to policies and services, to improve the health of upcoming generations, and to develop evidence-based and concise recommendations. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Mokshadha plans to commit to making disease prevention and health promotion essential components of public sector reform.

Farahane Tchacondoh is an electrical engineer with a rich background, totaling in five years of invaluable experience, as a project manager across diverse technology sectors including telecommunications, energy, and industry. Presently serving as a project analyst at the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation in Togo, Farahane actively contributes to the formulation and execution of the nation’s digital strategy. Her journey has been significantly influenced by a deep-seated commitment to combatting climate change, culminating in her role as a junior expert in the field. Participation in the Program of Excellence for Women in Africa from 2021 to 2023 marked a pivotal moment, propelling her towards leadership opportunities such as the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship. Fueled by ambition, Farahane aspires to spearhead transformative reforms, policies, and strategies fostering sustainable technological and economic progress throughout Africa after completing the fellowship.

Julietha Tibyesiga has over three years of experience in public health and research. Julietha has completed her internship program as an intern doctor at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. There, she focused on problem identification, involving thorough medical history taking and comprehensive physical examination. Julietha has spearheaded a sexual reproductive health and rights project targeting secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, impacting over 5,000 students across five schools. Julietha holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). Julietha is driven with the magnitude of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges faced by adolescents in rural Tanzania, reflecting a critical need for intervention. Early pregnancies have reached staggering numbers, with a significant portion attributed to the lack of comprehensive SRHR education. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Julietha plans to contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and programs that prioritize the health and well-being of adolescents and young women both locally and globally. Julietha also aims to foster collaborations and partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building efforts, ultimately striving towards a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape.

Kayobe Olemba Victoire has six years of experience in inclusive education and community empowerment. Currently, Victoire is the language coordinator at Lotus Primary School in Nampula. He leads efforts to transform education and uplift communities by training teachers to support students with diverse needs, implementing GRID 3 technology for students with complex needs, and providing support to affected communities. Victoire holds a bachelor’s degree in English language teaching and is motivated to create equitable and inclusive learning environments. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Victoire plans to expand initiatives like “LA VIGNE” to foster hope and opportunities for reintegration and education. He aims to continue empowering individuals and shaping a more inclusive world.

Fatoumata Yattasaye has more than seven years of experience in community development. Fatoumata is currently an administrative and financial assistant at IOM Guinea, where she specializes in migration. She is passionate about community development, combating gender-based violence, education, peace, migration, and entrepreneurship. She is a mentor at Coyah’s Femme Talent Club, which teaches young girls leadership and personal development, and a member of the Yali For Peace network in West and Central Africa. She is also the president of Horizon d’Afrique, an NGO that promotes entrepreneurship in all forms, particularly among young people. Fatoumata has a master’s degree in banking and finance from Kofi Annan University and a certificate in English from IMAT College in Freetown. After the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Fatoumata aims to lead and coordinate community development projects. Over the next few years, she hopes to establish a skills transfer mechanism to multiply the impact of her newly acquired knowledge by identifying focal points in each intervention community to whom the skills she has gained will be transferred.

Augustine Yeboah has more than nine years of experience in administration and human resources. Augustine is currently employed as an assistant administrative manager at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Upper West Region, where he is responsible for ensuring that human resource policies and systems are properly implemented. He also has experience with the British Council Ghana, where he worked as a stand-in during his early career. Augustine has a master’s degree in industrial finance and investment from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Augustine intends to elevate the public administration of state institutions in order to increase productivity and profitability.