Announcing the 2026 Emerging Leaders Cohort

The Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is proud to unveil the 2026 Cohort of the Emerging Leaders Program—a group of 20 exceptional young Cameroonians under 35 selected for their bold vision and transformative leadership. Drawn from a highly competitive applicant pool, these individuals reflect the diversity, resilience, and potential of Cameroon’s next generation. Each leader brings proven experience in team leadership, civic engagement, and a nuanced understanding of the nation’s geopolitical landscape. Together, they represent a powerful force for progress and innovation.

Aliou saidou

Aliou is a political science researcher, civil society actor and public policy and digital analyst. He is the President of the African Youth Network for Development (RAJED), an organisation in which he promotes initiatives focussed on governance, civic engagement of young people and the fight against misinformation. Community leader and Unesco peace ambassador also a member of United Nations civil society. Presidency of the RAJED and Associative Commitment Unser his leadership, the African Youth Network for Development (RAJED) works to strengthen the capacities of African youth through: Local Governance & Democracy: Organisation of workshops and practical training to involve young people in local decision-making processes and community development

Angyiba Serge Andigema

Serge Andigema is a Cameroonian public health scientist and PhD candidate in Epidemiology researching vaccine hesitancy in Cameroon. He is the Founder and Director of the Bisons' Scholars Institute of Research, where he has mentored over 150 young scientists and promoted research capacity development. Serge also serves as an ISO 15189 quality consultant supporting laboratory accreditation initiatives and has led youth-focused health advocacy across Cameroon. His work bridges research, public policy, and community engagement to strengthen health systems, promote evidence-based decision-making, and advance equitable access to quality healthcare in Africa.

Benoit Kento

Benoit est un Juriste camerounais qui conjugue rigueur du droit, leadership et art de la parole. Ancien capitaine de l'équipe nationale de débat et d'éloquence, il a représenté le Cameroun au Liban et au Burkina Faso, et œuvré comme Jeune Envoyé pour la Paix et la Démocratie. Il officie aujourd’hui comme Consultant junior en engagement jeunes, participation citoyenne et employabilité fort de huit années d'engagement associatif. Il appui les organisations dans le développement des projets d'accompagnement des jeunes et de renforcement démocratique, alliant conseil stratégique, plaidoyer citoyen et diplomatie de terrain.

Daouda Moutsina Vabara

Daouda is a Cameroonian youth leader, educator, and development practitioner from the North Region of Cameroon, dedicated to peacebuilding, youth and women’s empowerment, and sustainable community development. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Agro-Pastoral Advisory and has professional background and training in Management and Transformation of Societies. As Secretary General of GEOTECH and Coordinator of INNOVACT CAMEROON, he leads initiatives promoting leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, social inclusion, and resilience. His work focuses on education, agriculture, civic engagement, and preventing violent extremism through community-based solutions, while empowering youth and women as agents of positive change.

Destiny Afu

Destiny is the Founder of the Afu Foundation and Co-Founder of the African Centre for Strategic Policy and Integration (ACSPI). He is a policy researcher, leadership advocate, and development practitioner committed to advancing governance, strategic policy, and sustainable development across Africa. Through his work, he promotes youth leadership, evidence-based policymaking, and international collaboration, driving initiatives that strengthen institutions and empower the next generation of African leaders.

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Doriane Fozing

Doriane est une jeune visionnaire et engagée dans le domaine de la protection environnementale, de la participation citoyenne et de la promotion de la paix. Née le 05 mars 2002 à Fossong Wentcheng, Doriane incarne l’excellence et l’engagement de la jeunesse Camerounaise. Sa passion pour l’amélioration de la société et son engagement pour les causes humanitaires ont fait d’elle une figure inspirante dans sa communauté.

Dzega Naomi Erica

Erica is a Cameroonian digital designer, entrepreneur, and youth leader. She holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science and is currently pursuing an Engineering degree in Digital Creation and Design. She serves as the Digital and Digital Transformation Officer at African Youth Engagement (AYE), where she leverages digital innovation to advance youth development and civic engagement. Naomi is also the CEO of Naomi T'chop, an agribusiness specializing in agro-food processing, particularly the production of plantain-based products under the Chips Again brand. She is passionate about leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable community development.

Lehdufe Ethel Burga Kerinyuy

Ethel is a feminist community builder, public speaking trainer, and communication strategist from Cameroon. She is the founder of Holistic Queens, an initiative that creates dialogue spaces for young women to engage on issues of gender, identity, leadership, and personal development. Through training, facilitation, and community engagement, she has worked with youth and women to strengthen confidence, critical thinking, and active citizenship. Ethel is passionate about building inclusive communities and advancing women’s leadership through education, dialogue, and policy-informed action.
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Fadimatou Mohamadou Bachirou

Fadimatou is a committed young leader recognized for her impact in promoting youth leadership and combating gender-based violence (GBV) in the Far North Region of Cameroon. As the Gender and Communication Officer at ADECOPA, she has been working for over three years to advance education, child protection, and the empowerment of women and girls. A Communication student at the University of Maroua and a content creator, she leverages communication through her various digital platforms as a tool for behavior change and community development.
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Kogoué Fokam Jacques René

Jacques René is a Cameroonian agronomist specializing in crop production and plant protection. He holds a Professional Master's degree in Agronomy from the University of Dschang and is passionate about sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment, and community development. His work focuses on soil restoration, circular agriculture, and innovative farming practices, including the valorization of agricultural waste. Kogoué Fokam Jacques René has experience in agricultural training, phytosanitary product management, and project development, and actively seeks opportunities to contribute to food security and environmental sustainability across Africa.
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Leotine Pietamen

Leotine is a Gender Advocate, Community Counsellor, and Development Practitioner from Bamenda, Cameroon, with over six years of experience in child protection, gender-based violence prevention, and youth empowerment. She leads community initiatives focused on creating safe spaces for girls and supporting vulnerable children in conflict-affected communities. Leotine has mentored adolescent girls, facilitated protection and trauma-awareness workshops, and contributed to grassroots development programs. She is currently pursuing a Professional Certificate in Child Rights and Child Protection and is passionate about advancing inclusive leadership, social justice, and community resilience.

Lucie Pleuk A Ngon Keziah

Lucie is a jurist and co-founder of the Association of Enterprising Women with Disabilities of Vina (AFHEV). For seven years, she has been working to empower women with disabilities in the Adamawa region. As a law firm collaborator, she combines legal expertise with civic engagement. Lucie is currently preparing her candidacy for the 2027 municipal elections to promote inclusive governance. Her ambition is clear: break down barriers and bring the voices of vulnerable people into decision-making bodies. A bold leader, she proves that change begins when one dares to take a seat at the table.

Mache Ngassing Darcise Dolores

Darcise Dolores is a Cameroonian environmental and climate advocate committed to advancing youth leadership, environmental justice, and sustainable development. She has coordinated and supported initiatives on climate education, forest conservation, biodiversity protection, waste management, and community engagement, empowering young people to become active changemakers. Through collaborations with local and international organizations, she promotes inclusive participation in environmental action and advocacy. Passionate about building resilient communities, Dolores continues to inspire and mentor young leaders while championing innovative, community-driven solutions that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for Cameroon and Africa.

Mamoudou Djafsia Tara

Tara is a Cameroonian Mining and Geology Engineer serving with the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development. Passionate about public leadership, natural resource governance, and sustainable development, he combines technical expertise with civic engagement to promote transparency, youth empowerment, and evidence-based policymaking. He is a YALI Dakar alumnus and actively contributes to initiatives that strengthen public institutions and foster inclusive development. His ambition is to help shape policies that create lasting social and economic impact across Cameroon and Africa.

Nanyongo Grace Molua

Grace is a Cameroonian-born youth leader, entrepreneur and emerging African environmentalist. Spent over 7 years integrating sciences with grassroots social development, community empowerment, policy strengthening, circular economy, social justice and climate change action in Cameroon and internationally. She is an Agripreneur, Environmentalist, Eco-community Builder and Youth CSO leader; with focus on WASH, environmental sustainability, policies, development and empowerment. She supports many initiatives as the Founder of ECOAID Association, consultant with Buea Council, organizer of LCOY Cameroon/YOUNGO 2026, Secretary of CYAN, Responsive Governance _SWR (Women-Led) Representative, initiated multiple developmental, environmental and policy programs; focusing impacts on the "Most Vulnerable Groups".

Ngunter Aime Leonel

Aime Leonel is a Cameroonian student at the Congo-Cameroon Inter-State University located in Sangmélima in the South Region. Driven by a passion for leadership, technology, and community development, he is interested in leveraging digital innovation to address social challenges and promote sustainable development. Having participated in youth engagement initiatives, he wishes to continue developing his skills in project management, digital transformation, and civic leadership. He believes that empowering young people through collaboration, innovation, and ethical leadership is essential for building stronger communities. Ultimately, he wishes to contribute, learn from diverse perspectives, and create a lasting positive impact through meaningful initiatives.

Ningha Catelle

Catelle is a Junior Digital Transformation Consultant at ST Digital with three years of professional experience in software engineering and digital transformation. She is the founder of Sykoti Center, a youth-led initiative advancing digital citizenship and online safety. She holds a degree in Network and Systems Security Engineering and is an active member of several civil society and professional organizations promoting youth leadership, internet governance, and responsible technology. Passionate about leveraging technology for social impact, she is committed to empowering communities and advancing inclusive digital transformation across Africa.

Nsai Lisa

Lisa is a Project Officer and civic and political rights activist committed to democracy, peacebuilding, and community engagement. Over the past two years, her volunteer work with the Lola Leadership Foundation has focused on grassroots impact through voter registration initiatives, mobilizing thousands of young people, women, and persons with disabilities, while coordinating civic education programs that promote political participation and leadership awareness. Currently, she serves as Divisional Supervisor for the “Together for Cameroon Project” in Bui Division, North West Region, Cameroon, where she coordinates field operations, reporting, and community engagement to strengthen effective civic participation and local development.

Kumo Walters Nshom

Walters is an emerging civic leader from Yaoundé, Cameroon, working at the intersection of youth leadership, community development, and policy research. He holds an MA in Sociology (Population and Development) from the University of Yaoundé I, researching the entrepreneurial integration of internally displaced persons. As Community Manager at Impact Axis, he has equipped over 100 youth through leadership fellowships and civic engagement initiatives. His experience spans entrepreneurship training with DeWise Foundation, peace education with Youth by Youth, mentorship with Open Dreams, and field research with the UNDP Accelerator Lab. He champions inclusive opportunity and citizen participation.

Wilfried Adi

Wilfried is a Cameroonian development practitioner with a Master's Degree in Economic Development Analysis. He has served as a volunteer with several UN organizations, including UNV ESARO, the UN Secretariat YPS, UNFPA Palestine, UNFPA Niger, and WHO Chad, and supports national initiatives through CAMNAFAW and U-Report by UNICEF Cameroon as a Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Officer. He also completed an internship at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). His interests include partnerships, youth engagement, policy analysis, sustainable development, and inclusive governance.

Our Facilitators

Dr. Denis Foretia

Dr. Foretia is Co-Chair of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute, a leading Cameroonian think tank. Along with co-chair Lenora Ebule, he shapes and approves strategy, advocates for the foundation, and helps set the overall direction. He is also the Chairman of Merckshire LLC, an international holding company with operations in the US and Cameroon. A surgeon by training, Foretia has always been involved in philanthropic activities and issues related to international development. He is currently the President of the Association of Cameroonian Physicians in the Americas (ACPA). He is also the Co-Founder and pioneer president of the Cameroon Professional Society (CPS) – the premier institution for Cameroonian professionals in the US focused on advancing economic opportunity and leadership development among Cameroonians.

As the former Executive Co-chair of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, he helped spearhead major community service-oriented and leadership-driven projects geared towards uplifting inner-city children in the Greater Nashville area. His leadership as National President of the Cameroon Students Association (CAMSA-USA) saw a paradigm shift towards positive intellectual discourse and the development of philanthropic projects that solidified CAMSA’s standing in the community as the premier student organization in the diaspora. Denis remains very involved with helping young Cameroonians transition into professional institutions and advance in their professional careers. He has been recognized with multiple academic and professional awards such as the Vanderbilt Deans Scholarship, the Overall Fellowship, the Community service award from CAMSA.

Foretia is faculty in the department of surgery at Johns Hopkins University and staff acute care surgeon at Lifebridge Health in Baltimore. He is also an Associate in the department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Doctor of Medicine degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. He completed his surgical residency training at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta where he was also a Global Health Research Scholar. Denis holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Carey School of Business also at the Johns Hopkins University. The Foretias enjoy traveling and are blessed with a daughter, Gélan and a son, Baiden.

Barr. Nico Halle

Nico, the founder and Senior Managing Partner, was admitted to the Cameroon Bar in 1986. He provides legal and advisory services on Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Commercial Contracts, Investments, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Private equity, Project finance,  Public-Private Partnerships, and Restructuring.

His experience also includes Business Law, Corporate and commercial practice, Corporate Finance, Global mobility & Corporate Immigration, Intellectual Property & Innovation, Labour & Employment, Investment, Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Tax.

Nico advises clients on a wide range of corporate/commercial matters and transactions in Africa, especially member countries of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law (OHADA).

He advises clients in relation to the management and enforcement of their IP portfolios and manages several large trade mark portfolios in the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) as well as other African countries. His experience includes the registration, maintenance, commercialization, and enforcement of trade marks, industrial designs, domain names, patents and copyrights.

Pr. William H. Arrey

Prof. William Hermann Arrey is a Senior Fellow in Peace & Security /Governance & Democracy Policy Sections, Nkafu Policy Institute and Advisor to the Board. Prior to this, he served as interim CEO of the Foretia Foundation and Research & Policy Fellow with the Nkafu Policy Institute. He is also currently the Head of the Department of Peace and Development Studies at the Protestant University in Cameroon based in Yaoundé

Prof. Arrey brings a wealth of experience and senior leadership to the Foundation. He obtained his PhD in Peace and International Development Studies from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom; a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) from the University of Tromso, Norway and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Buea. He has published in many peer-reviewed journals and has written extensively on local governments, peace building and conflict transformation. He travels frequently for talks, lectures and presentations.

Antem Anthony

Anthony is a Head of Conflict Prevention, and Analysis Unit at the Foretia Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as conflict, policy and security assistant at the International Crisis Group, Kenya. He has equally served as political and communications intern at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/British High Commission in Yaoundé. Added to these, He has served as policy analyst for African Affairs at the African Online and Publications Library (AOPL).

Anthony is a certified administrative and operations professional from the United Nations University for Peace and the Pan African Institute for Development, West Africa (PAID-WA). He is currently finalizing a Professional Master’s Degree in International Relations/Disputes from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Law from the University of Yaoundé II, Soa.

Agenda

D1D2D3

September 07, 2026


08:00 - 09:00 Registration & Networking

09:00 - 09:30 Opening Session
Welcome Remarks - Introduction of the program and objective

09:35 - 10:05 Opening Keynote
From self-transformation to social impact: Becoming a leader who inspires change

10:05 – 10:15 Group pictures

10:20 - 11:20 The Fundamentals of Effective Leadership

11:20 - 11:50 Practical session: Brainstorming exercise 

11:50 - 12:00 Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:00 Youth leadership and civic engagement

13:00 - 14:00 Leadership and Workplace Conflict Management 

14:00 - 15:00 Lunch break  

15:05 - 16:35 Leading with emotional intelligence   
16:35 - 17:00 Wrap up 
17:30 - 18:30 Personal Time
18:30 - 19:30 Networking Dinner

 

September 08, 2026


06:00 - 06:45 Breakfast 
07:00 Departure from hotel to National Assembly
08:00 - 10:00 Visit to the National Assembly  

10:20 – 11:50 Inter-Generational Dialogue: Navigating Leadership Challenges in the Cameroonian Context

12:00 - 13:20 Engaging Policymakers: How to write effective and convincing policy briefs  
13:20 - 14:20 Lunch
14:30 - 15:30 Practical session: Mastering PowerPoint design and delivery  
15:30 - 17:00 The Art of Public Speaking (interactive session)

17:00  Wrap up

September 09, 2026

06:30 – 7:30 Breakfast
08:00 - 08:15 Arrival and registration

08:15 - 08:30 Recap of day 2
08:30 - 10:00 Developing your personal brand

10:00 - 11:00 A Story of Growth and Impact. A conversation with 2 alumni
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 - 12:15

12:15 – 13:15 Workshop on PowerPoint development
13:15 - 14:15 Lunch

14:15 - 15:15 Public Debate: Youth participation in decision-making and governance fosters change and development

15:15 – 16:30 Presentation of Emerging Leaders’ personal leadership manifestos (PowerPoint Presentations)

16:30 - 17:00 Wrap-up and Closing Remarks
17:00 - 17:30 Family pictures and Interviews
17:30 – 19:00 Relaxation time