Niamey, Niger – The U.S. Embassy in Niger has announced that Mahamadou Salissou Amadou Abdou, a Mandela Washington Fellow, has been awarded a Catalyst Grant. Abdou intends to use this grant to distribute solar lamps to rural communities in the Sahel through his company, Ouba Energy.
The project is designed to expand economic opportunities, enhance security, and foster energy independence by increasing access to clean energy. Abdou's business strategy involves collaborations with American distributors and demonstrates how solar energy can bring sustainable transformation to underserved areas.
The Catalyst Grant is a joint initiative by IREX and D-Prize, a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering proven poverty-fighting solutions. The grant program encourages Mandela Washington Fellows to address delivery obstacles and introduce innovations that can transform the lives of those living in extreme poverty.
Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has been a cornerstone of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), reflecting the United States' dedication to investing in Africa's future. YALI, established in 2010, aims to promote economic growth and prosperity, reinforce democratic governance, and increase peace and security in Africa. Since 2014, the fellowship has enabled nearly 5,800 young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa to participate, including 76 from Niger.
The U.S. Department of State funds and oversees the Mandela Washington Fellowship, with administration by IREX. More details about the fellowship can be found at mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.