Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou, the president of the Cameroon National Youth Council , CNYC, has emerged as a prominent leader and advocate for youth development, peacebuilding, and women’s empowerment in Cameroon. As the President of CNYC, a position she has held since 2018 and for which she was re-elected in 2022, Fadimatou has played a crucial role in shaping policies and initiatives that impact young Cameroonians nationwide. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Peace and Development at the Protestant University of Central Africa. She holds multiple master’s degrees in telecommunications and information systems, having studied at prestigious institutions such as MIT Dakar and Financial Business School in France.
Beyond her academic pursuits, she is a successful entrepreneur, serving as the CEO of Expert Tracking, a company specializing in telecommunications and network engineering solutions. She also leads Felio Design, a business showcasing her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Under her leadership, the CNYC has actively worked towards addressing key challenges faced by young people in Cameroon, including unemployment, gender equality, access to education, healthcare, and digital literacy. She has spearheaded various initiatives, such as the Cameroon Youth Dialogue Platform and the National Youth Camp, which have engaged thousands of young Cameroonians in discussions on national development and unity.
On the international stage, Fadimatou has represented Cameroon as a Youth Peace Ambassador for the Islamic World Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and has been serving as the Secretary-General for French-speaking Africa in the Afro-Arab Youth Council since 2018. She has also held the position of Vice-Chair of UNESCO’s Advisory Board for youth empowerment through media, furthering her commitment to global youth advocacy. Fadimatou’s contributions extend beyond youth leadership to peacebuilding and national unity efforts. She actively participated in the Major National Dialogue and has been involved in the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North-West and South-West regions, aiming to foster national cohesion.
Her leadership in organizing youth-centric events has helped cultivate a culture of dialogue and cooperation among young Cameroonians, positively impacting the country’s image on a global scale. Through her advocacy, she has inspired many to take an active role in nation-building and community development. In recognition of her efforts, Fadimatou was honoured as a Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit in 2021. She has also received several awards for her leadership and peacebuilding efforts, including the AFHAD Award for her initiatives against gender-based violence. Through her work in youth leadership, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou continues to be a beacon of hope for young Cameroonians, driving progress and ensuring their voices are heard both nationally and internationally.
