The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros has announced the selection of ten participants from Madagascar for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, launched in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). It represents the U.S. commitment to investing in Africa’s future as a key driver of global stability and shared prosperity. Since its inception, nearly 7,200 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in this fellowship.
In 2025, twenty-six U.S. educational institutions will host Leadership Institutes for approximately 650 Mandela Washington Fellows. These six-week programs, conducted on college and university campuses across the United States, aim to enhance leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with local community members.
The selected Malagasy participants are:
- Mamie Oliva Abraham; Bridgewater State University
- Ashley Razafindrabe Ndrianarifera; Michigan State University
- Natolotra Rasolofojaona; Arizona State University
- Nirina Ambinintsoa Ratsitoarison; Rutgers University
- Harimé Sylvia Randrianarivo; Texas Tech University
- Ravaka Andrinirina Randrianarimanana; Georgia State University
- Ravosaina Ntsiva Andriatsitohaina; University of Tennessee
- Salohy Andrianoronjatovo; Purdue University
- Njakamarosoa Randriambololona; University of Texas in Austin
- Anja Ravakiniony Tahirimihamina; University of Iowa
After completing the fellowship, up to 85 competitively selected Fellows will engage in four weeks of professional development with U.S. organizations across various sectors including public, private, or non-profit. Alumni Programming is also available post-fellowship to help further develop professional skills and networks.
This program is administered by IREX with funding provided by the U.S. Government under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. More information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship can be found at mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.