Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou

Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou is a Cameroonian computer engineer, youth leader, entrepreneur, and public figure known for her work in cybersecurity, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and civic engagement. She is recognized as the first female President of the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC), where she was elected in 2018 and re-elected for a second mandate in 2022.

Early Life and Education

Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou was born on 21 July 1992 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. She pursued studies in computer science, software engineering, telecommunications, and networks. She holds a DUT in Computer Science from the University Institute of Technology of Douala, a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, a Master’s degree in Telecommunications and Network Engineering, and a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Software Engineering. She is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Peace and Development at the Protestant University of Central Africa.

Professional Career

She has worked as a systems and network engineer, including on Cameroon’s national electoral biometrics project in collaboration with Veridos. She is the founder and CEO of Felio Design Enterprise and Expert Tracking, and has also worked in cybersecurity consulting at national and international levels.

Youth Leadership and Public Engagement

Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou has played a significant role in youth leadership in Cameroon and internationally. She has served as President of the Cameroon National Youth Council, Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of cybersecurity in Cameroon, Commonwealth Youth Delegate, Francophonie Ambassador for the Future, Youth Peace Ambassador of ICESCO, and Assistant Secretary-General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council.

Entrepreneurship and Initiatives

She is the founder of the Women and Youth Leaders Empowerment Forum (WYLEF), an initiative focused on leadership, capacity building, peace, health, entrepreneurship, and the empowerment of women and young people. Her work also covers youth inclusion, innovation, digital culture, and civic participation.

Awards and Recognition

Her recognitions include Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit, recognition among the 40 Best Young Cameroonians, the Peace Medal awarded by the Belgian Combatants Federation and the Belgian Embassy in Cameroon, and several leadership and peacebuilding awards.

Areas of Work

• Youth empowerment and inclusion
• Women’s leadership and STEM promotion
• Cybersecurity and digital culture
• Peacebuilding and civic engagement
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Public policy and youth participation

Skills and Languages

She has competencies in leadership, mentoring, project management, communication, public relations, administrative management, entrepreneurship, regional integration, programming, virtualization, and telecommunications. She speaks English, French, and Arabic.