Meet ALA’s Class of 2025

Ramou Tambedou is a passionate advocate for girls’ rights and youth empowerment in The Gambia. As a Woman Boss Girl Ambassador and the youngest member of the UN Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group, she ensures young voices are represented in policy spaces, holding leaders accountable to their commitments.

At SBEC International, she co-founded the Girls in STEM Club, creating a safe space for girls to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. As Vice President, she organized STEAM fairs, led awareness campaigns on issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM), and spoke at national conferences—demonstrating the power of youth-led initiatives.

Ramou is determined to confront the human rights challenges faced by girls, especially in rural communities, and to advance equality through education, advocacy, and leadership. She aspires to drive systemic change as a future human rights lawyer and global leader.

Samuel Tembe champions education, civic leadership, and youth empowerment across Mozambique and beyond. A consistent academic achiever, he has been on the Honour Roll since 2021 and received the Certificate of Merit for Best Student. He founded student councils in two schools and represented peers in the Portuguese Language Olympics. His leadership extended to the SADC, National, and Provincial-District Children’s Parliaments, where he helped shape conversations on governance, education, and rights.

Outside the classroom, Samuel has led conferences, seminars, and research in psycho-pedagogy that earned national media attention. He has also spoken at youth and climate forums, advocating for sustainable policies such as ending single-use plastics. His experiences in athletics and leadership programs have built resilience and teamwork, qualities he applies to civic initiatives that expand access to public services.

Samuel is committed to mobilizing young Africans toward innovation, sustainability, and equity—showing how youth leadership can deliver immediate impact while shaping Africa’s future.

Zineb El Ofir is driving educational innovation in Morocco through TLEEM, a student-led initiative she founded to bridge STEM and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, TLEEM launched STEMEURSHIP, an eight-session program that brought together young people from across the country to design entrepreneurial projects. The initiative has reached more than 1,000 indirect beneficiaries, while also strengthening participants’ teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills.

Her impact extends beyond her own venture. As Head of Media and Communications at Ask for Success NGO, she led major events and a humanitarian caravan. With ESTEM Morocco, she co-organized a summer camp that equipped over 80 girls with confidence and practical skills to pursue education and leadership.

Recognized as a rising advocate for gender equality, Zineb envisions an Africa where every young person—especially girls—has the tools to lead and thrive.

Eric Wambugu is redefining youth leadership through food and entrepreneurship. He founded a food media platform that encourages children to cook, growing a following of over 90,000 and generating more than 12 million views across TikTok and Meta. His work has led to collaborations with Java House, Artcaffe, Sirimon Cheese, and Kitui Flour Mills, and in 2024 he designed six dishes for Java House’s August Specials—served across 100 branches. He also mentors young food creators, passing on his skills to the next generation.

Eric’s impact extends into his community through the Bourne Kenya Initiative, which he co-founded to supply 60 students at Manza Primary School with essential exam materials. He also works as a freelance photographer, specializing in food, events, and sports, blending creativity with entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, Eric envisions transforming Africa’s hospitality industry by merging food media and business innovation to scale African-led ventures that inspire and empower youth.