Mandela Washington Fellows
WISE is proud to be a host site for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. for academic and leadership training. The Fellows are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries. During their fellowship they complete a 6-week leadership course at top American educational institutions and then go on to complete a month-long professional development experience with a US host organization.
​
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the US Department of State with funding provided by the US Government and administered by IREX.
Get to know our Mandela Washington Fellows
Lydol Nwafo
Cameroon, Washington Mandela Fellow 2024 (She/Her)
Lydol is a poet, comedian, singer, social activist, and founder of SHEroes, an association that fights against gender-based violence and promote women and girls rights.