Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Adepeju Jaiyeoba, a 2014 Fellowship Alumna, founded Mother’s Delivery Kits in 2013 to...
Science and Entrepreneurship are the Answers to Food Insecurity
2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumna Tshinde Matos is using her background in biotechnology to increase food security and access to water resources in Africa.
Growing global business partnerships from international exchanges
Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the fastest-growing economies across the globe, while the United States exports a large number of American goods to African countries. Nathalie Kpante, an agribusiness...
Giving Girls a Voice: Why One Woman in Zimbabwe Is Bringing GBV Stories to Light
To inspire her community to unite against gender-based violence, Charlene Chekenya is bringing stories about gender-based violence survivors to light.
From Iowa to Angola, a young entrepreneur connects farmers to consumers
Spanning almost three decades, the Angolan Civil War displaced millions of people and devastated agricultural production. Even though the conflict ended 15 years ago, the...
International exchange programs and the opportunity for U.S. businesses
Many view international exchange programs primarily as benefiting U.S. foreign policy objectives. Foreign students brought to the United States return to their home countries with...
Helping a young leader advocate for LGBT health care in Africa
Activists such as Dr. Anastacia Tomson of South Africa tirelessly advocate for transgender health rights. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders helps change-makers like her to...
Paralympian promotes inclusion in Zimbabwe
“I’ve always wanted to control my successes and failures,” says Nyasha Mharakurwa, a wheelchair tennis player who represented Zimbabwe at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. “When...
Young African leaders who are leading by example
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is not just the name of a program—it is the continuation of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of leadership, peace, and...
The Pearls of Africa: Mildred Apenyo
2014 Fellowship Alumnus Mildred Apenyo founded an all-women's gym in Uganda, where women can take part in yoga, kick boxing, discussions, and personal safety classes.