By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – Hussaina Fadimatou Abdou, a sexual and reproductive health rights expert and gender activist at the Daraja Reube Mbororo Development Association (DAREM), has described her participation in the Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP), organised by the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, as a life-changing experience that reshaped her understanding of leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement.
“I was motivated to build my developmental skills, shape my leadership skills as well, especially as I’m a civil society activist. So, I had a few challenges when it comes to leadership skills. The second one was getting networking skills as well, meeting new people, talking to new cohort members,” Hussaina said.
Speaking to Pan African Visions, Hussaina, who participated in the programme in August 2024, said the three-day leadership boot camp gave her the tools to build the confidence, skills, and network needed to effectively lead within her community.
“The programme was transformative,” she said. “I left the Emerging Leaders Program as someone else entirely. I developed public speaking skills and learned to be open-minded. I’m really happy I was part of it.”
Hussaina said she initially applied for the programme to strengthen her leadership and developmental skills, especially as a civil society activist. “I had some challenges when it came to leadership. I didn’t have the right platform or the knowledge to exercise it. But thanks to this foundation, everything was broken down for us,” she explained.
Throughout the programme, Hussaina and her peers were trained on effective communication, digital advocacy, and policy brief development—an area she admitted was entirely new to her.
“Learning how to draft a policy brief was my biggest takeaway. We came back to our communities and each developed at least two policy briefs and submitted them. That was very empowering,” she shared.
The Emerging Leaders Programme also allowed participants to build meaningful relationships across regional and professional divides. Hussaina emphasised how the programme encouraged diversity, collaboration, and the building of an active network.
“We were able to meet senators, key stakeholders, and other youth leaders. I even call my cohort members my family. They’ve supported me during my local programmes,” she said.
In terms of application of the knowledge acquired, Hussaina said the programme encouraged all participants to restitute what they had learned in their communities, a process she describes as “simply amazing.” “We didn’t just learn for ourselves. We were asked to give back, and that’s exactly what we did.”
The 2025 edition of the Emerging Leaders Program will take up from August 4-6 at Djeuga Palace in Yaounde, and Hussaina has encouraged the incoming participants to approach the opportunity with an open mind.
“Be open-minded. Embrace diversity. Ask questions. Engage fully. And above all, be passionate about what you’re doing. You’re blessed to be part of this programme,” she advised.
Reflecting on the importance of the programme for youth across Cameroon, Hussaina said it fills a critical gap in leadership development, particularly among young people in underserved communities.
“This programme addresses major challenges in our society—unemployment, corruption, and leadership gaps. It promotes good governance and gives young people the tools to speak up and lead change.”
In one word, Hussaina describes the programme as “transformative” – an experience that equipped her to lead not only with purpose but also with impact. Since its inception in 2019, over 150 emerging leaders in Cameroon have participated in the Emerging Leaders Program, gaining practical skills to initiate change in their communities.
About the Program
The Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation launched the Emerging Leaders Program in 2019 to prepare a new generation of transformational leaders driven by strong moral values and committed to a progressive and democratic Africa. This program identifies highly skilled and motivated Cameroonians under the age of 35 who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and a strong understanding of public policy, along with a dedication to implementing positive change in the country. Each year, twenty (20) highly accomplished individuals are selected to join the Emerging Leaders class.
About the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation
The Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyse Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship, science and technology innovation, public health, and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The Foundation works in partnership with local governments, policymakers, private enterprises, civil society organisations, and development partners to expand resources available to entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners, improving individual livelihoods.
