Ndive Among 25 Fellows Advancing Business Leadership at AAMU’s Inaugural Institute

As a host institution for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Alabama A&M University has welcomed 25 dynamic business professionals from across the African continent to campus this summer. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the six-week Leadership in Business Institute launched June 18 and offers Fellows an intensive academic and cultural exchange experience designed to strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

Among those selected for this life-changing opportunity is Nancy Nalova Ndive, a visionary agripreneur from Cameroon whose work is transforming lives in rural communities.

Ndive is the Founder and Marketing Manager of NAN-AGRIC Cameroun, a social enterprise based in Buea in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Her company converts cassava into high-quality food products while empowering farmers – particularly women – to embrace sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and innovation.

“My role involves overseeing our cassava value chain business, developing strategies for product marketing, mentoring young agripreneurs, and advocating for climate-smart agriculture and food sovereignty in Cameroon,” explained Ndive.

With a master’s degree in agribusiness and undergraduate degrees in agriculture, environmental sciences, and geology, Ndive has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of work that bridges science, entrepreneurship, and community development. She is also a certified Project Manager from PMI India and founder of the EmpowerHer initiative, which provides leadership training and entrepreneurship opportunities for young women.

Applying for the Mandela Washington Fellowship was a strategic move, Ndive said – one that aligned with her mission to lead change and connect with other like-minded professionals. But it didn’t come easily. After applying three times, she was finally selected.

“It was a moment of deep joy and humility,” she recalled. “Being selected felt like a beautiful confirmation that every step of my journey – every challenge, lesson, and act of service – was preparing me for this opportunity.”

This summer marks Ndive’s first time in both the United States and Alabama. Since arriving on campus, she has immersed herself in leadership training, cultural exchange, and the collaborative spirit that defines the Fellowship.

“It’s been incredible! I’ve received such warmth and hospitality from everyone here at Alabama A&M University,” she said. “The structure, organization, and intentionality of the Fellowship experience are inspiring.”

Ndive and her cohort are engaging in sessions focused on organizational leadership, strategic partnerships, innovation, and systems thinking – skills she looks forward to applying when she returns home.

“The experience has been empowering, eye-opening, and fulfilling,” she said. “Being surrounded by Fellows from across Africa has reignited my passion and reminded me that we’re stronger together.”

In her free time, Ndive has embraced the Huntsville community, volunteering in a local cleanup with the Green Team and visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. She also made a memorable trip to Nashville with other Fellows. One of the standout moments, she said, was learning about local waste management and recycling practices – insights she hopes to integrate into her sustainability work back home.

While adapting to new food, customs, and accents, she said she finds comfort in the warm Alabama weather and in journaling and walking the entire campus. Still, she misses her family, her team at NAN-AGRIC, and traditional Cameroonian dishes like eru and fufu.

“My time at AAMU has been exceptional. The campus is beautiful and well-resourced, and the academic support is strong,” she said. “What’s impressed me most is the University’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and student empowerment. I’m also inspired by the hands-on approach to teaching.”

When she returns to Cameroon, Ndive plans to use what she’s learned to expand her impact – particularly by helping women agripreneurs adopt tech-driven, climate-smart farming methods. Her ultimate goal is nothing short of transformative.

“I want to become a leading force for agricultural transformation in Africa by empowering women and youth through innovation, education, and enterprise,” she said.

As AAMU continues its inaugural journey as a Mandela Washington Fellowship host institution, leaders like Nancy Nalova Ndive are leaving a mark – not just on The Hill, but on a global stage where leadership, equity, and innovation converge.

“This opportunity is more than a program,” she said. “It’s a movement of hope, leadership, and transformation.”