Eleven exceptional young leaders from Sierra Leone have officially commenced their journey in the prestigious 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in the United States.

The esteemed program aims to empower Africa’s future leaders through immersive academic and practical experiences at top American institutions.

The 2025 cohort features a diverse group of individuals, including business owners, healthcare professionals, scientists, and advocates, all hailing from various regions of Sierra Leone.

The fellows are Alusine Lansana, Abdulai Barrie, Allieu Gembeh, Calvin Michan Venn, Mohamed Samu, Mariama Bangura, Francess Annie Renner, Mohamed Kunta, Hannah Tarawally, Peter George, and Monica Ghaliwa.

The United States Embassy in Freetown expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact these fellows will have on their communities.

“We are excited to see what they will learn about leadership in business, public management, and civic engagement,” the embassy asserted, stating that “We look forward to hearing how they will apply these lessons back in their communities in Salone.”

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is part of the Young African Leaders Initiative, designed to support and connect young leaders across the continent.