Stories
Success Story: Aude Leatitia Agnimel's Journey of Empowerment
Embarking on a journey fueled by determination and guided by the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship, Aude Leatitia Agnimel has emerged as a beacon of change, igniting pathways to youth empowerment in Burkina Faso.
As a proud alumna of the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship, Aude’s story is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment to community development. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Modern Literature and a passion for communication, Aude’s journey began with a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in her country.
With a clear vision in mind, Aude co-founded the Conseil RH association, a platform dedicated to enhancing youth employability through practical initiatives and educational events. Fueled by the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunities for growth and success, Aude and her team embarked on a mission to empower and uplift the next generation of leaders.
One of the association’s most notable achievements was the organization of the LinkedIn Tour/BF event, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bridging the gap between young Burkinabe and the professional world. Through strategic planning and collaboration, Aude and her team successfully brought together hundreds of young individuals, providing them with invaluable networking opportunities and essential skills for navigating the job market.
In just a few months, the Conseil RH association has made significant strides, training over a thousand young people on employability skills, organizing university tours, networking events, and launching innovative challenges to unleash the hidden talents of Burkinabe youth.
Aude’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, leadership, and community engagement. Through her dedication and unwavering commitment to creating positive change, Aude has not only impacted the lives of countless young individuals but has also inspired a new generation of leaders to rise and make a difference.
As Aude continues to champion the cause of youth empowerment, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination, passion, and support, anything is possible. Her journey is a shining example of the impact that one individual can have on their community and beyond.
As she looks towards the future, Aude remains committed to her mission of creating a brighter, more inclusive future for the youth of Burkina Faso.
With the support of programs like the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship and her unwavering determination, there is no doubt that Aude will continue to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential
NOUROU Abdel A.S. Khalid, a Tegawende Fellow , recipient of the Federal Republic of Brazil scholarship 🇧🇷
Abdel A.S. Khalid Nourou is a young man who quickly became involved in the issues of universal access to energy and environmental well-being. Driven by an early passion for mathematics and physics, he brilliantly obtained his baccalaureate, enabling him to win the Benin state scholarship in 2017.
This scholarship opened the doors to the prestigious Université Nationale des Sciences Techniques, Ingénieries et Mathématiques. At this university, he continued his studies and completed his bachelor’s degree in energy engineering with a specialization in Renewable Energies, ending his academic career as valedictorian. Immediately after graduating, he was nominated as Benin’s Green Ambassador for climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, among more than 14,300 young people from 54 African countries (https://www.climatechangeafricaopportunities.org).
In the same year, he brilliantly passed the entrance exam for the research master’s degree in energy and renewable energies at the Université Joseph KI-ZERBO in Burkina Faso. His ability to integrate and adapt enabled him to complete his Master’s degree in two years, becoming valedictorian of his class and valedictorian of all Master’s classes in Technical Sciences between 2020 and 2022.Alongside his studies, Abdel Khalid has been an active member of the Association des Jeunes Acteurs de l’Énergie (AJE), an organization campaigning for energy and a fairer world in Burkina Faso since 2019 (https://ong-jae.org/communaute/). In 2023, he chaired the Organizing Committee of the Forum National des Jeunes Acteurs de l’Énergie, bringing together over 200 young people from Burkina Faso to discuss the challenges of clean cooking in the era of energy transition (https://ong-jae.org/le-forum-national-des-jeunes-acteurs…/).Since the 1st quarter of 2024, he has been the recipient of a mobility grant from the Federal Republic of Brazil, where he is pursuing his Doctoral studies in Energy and Processes at the Federal University of São Paulo . For his doctoral thesis, he is working on the subject: “The conversion of CO2 into energy: development of a new modeling approach using artificial neural networks.” The aim is to convert biogenic CO2 into energy in order to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change. The originality of his work lies in the combination of artificial intelligence and the valorization of carbon dioxide to create a better world.
Abdel A.S. Khalid’s vision is to create a technopole based on the principles of communism, aimed at supporting Africa on its path to energy self-sufficiency through greener practices. For him, the key lies in first achieving energy self-sufficiency, as he is convinced that a nation unable to assert itself in energy terms is doomed to extinction.
Success Story : Djibril SEMDE
Djibril SEMDE’s journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and the transformative power of mentorship, particularly through the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship. From a young age, Djibril has been deeply passionate about electrical systems, a path he chose to follow starting from his BEPC (Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle). He began his academic journey at the prestigious Lycée Professionnel National Maurice YAMEOGO, where he excelled and earned his BEP in Electrotechnics, showcasing his commitment and excellence.
Determined to further his knowledge, Djibril pursued a BAC Technologique Série F3 at the Collège Privé d’Enseignement Technique de Koudougou. His thirst for learning led him to the Institut Supérieur de Génie Électrique (ISGE-BF), where he achieved a DTS (Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur) in Industrial Electricity.
Currently, Djibril is on the cusp of obtaining his engineering degree in Electrical Systems Engineering from the same institution. His innovative spirit has been evident through his participation in two hackathons, where he reached the finals, and a makeathon, where his team won first prize with the project Agri Light Tech.
Djibril’s practical experience complements his academic achievements. He has completed numerous internships and contributed to various projects, mastering design software such as AutoCAD, PVsyst, Dialux, Caneco BT, and XLPRO, demonstrating his versatility and technical expertise.
Entrepreneurial at heart, Djibril balances his studies with running his own company, SILEC, which provides top-notch services in building electricity, solar photovoltaic energy, air conditioning, access control systems, video surveillance, and low voltage (BT) dimensioning.
His altruistic vision and desire to make a positive impact have also led him to engage actively with the AJPD-BF (Alliance des Jeunes pour la Paix et le Développement du Burkina Faso), where he serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Study and Prospection, focusing on strengthening members’ technical skills. Additionally, Djibril is a member of the BVLO (Burkinabé Voice of Literature Organization) and YASSA, where he holds the position of Head of External Relations and Partnerships.
Djibril SEMDE embodies excellence, passion, and commitment, both academically, professionally, and socially, making him an inspiring role model for future generations. His journey and accomplishments are a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and the support of initiatives like the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship. This program has played a crucial role in providing him with the mentorship and opportunities needed to excel and make a significant impact.
Vénéem : Bridging the Technological Gap and Promoting Innovation
« Vénéem » is an initiative aimed at bridging the technological gap and promoting technological innovation among our youth. Under the theme « Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development, » Vénéem seeks to highlight creative talents through « Vénéem Formation, » « Vénéem Compétition, » and « Vénéem Daaré. » This ambitious initiative will take place in Koudougou, a symbolic city ideal for developing innovative and sustainable solutions.Vénéem offers an exceptional opportunity for young Burkinabe talents, particularly those from the Centre-Ouest region, to showcase their ideas and contribute to a better future. This event aims to position the Centre-Ouest as a national hub of innovation and creativity.
With the goal of stimulating creativity, Vénéem encourages the development of technological solutions to sustainable development challenges, meeting the needs of the Burkinabe community. « Vénéem Formation » aims to train at least 100 young people, enhancing their skills in technology and sustainable development. « Vénéem Compétition » provides a platform for young talents to transform their ideas into concrete projects, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Lastly, « Vénéem Daaré » rewards the best projects from the competition and offers companies a space to present their innovations to the public, promoting network creation and customer expansion, all in a spirit of motivation and enthusiasm for innovation.
Through his involvement in initiatives like Vénéem, Djibril SEMDE continues to be a driving force in creating positive change and inspiring future leaders. His journey is a testament to the impact of the Tegawende Leadership Fellowship and the importance of dedication and innovation in achieving success.