Ange Imanishimwe is committed to creating positive change in Rwanda. He is founder and president of BIOCOOP, a social enterprise dedicated to biodiversity conservation, ecotourism, community health, and environmental management for sustainable development. He is cofounder of Nyungwe EcoVillage, a community-based ecotourism project. He has also been a tourist guide at Nyungwe National Park. Ange was named Top Young Innovator of Rwanda for 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Conservation and a Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem Services, and Community Development. Because he believes in the importance of youth to sustainable development in Rwanda, he built the Imanishimwe Conservation Leadership Center at Nyungwe National Park, which trains young people in entrepreneurship, project management, and biodiversity conservation. BIOCOOP is also a significant employer of young people and offers young biologists academic and professional internships. A 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, Ange credits the Fellowship with giving him professional connections that have led to international exposure. He plans to extend his work beyond Rwanda to other East African countries and to create more green jobs.
⟨ Back to the DirectoryAnge Imanishimwe
2015 Fellow from Rwanda