In Conversation with Elma Akob: Championing Pan-African Feminism, Leadership, and Storytelling for Global Impact
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Elma Akob is a powerhouse of Pan-African leadership, youth
advocacy, and gender equality. A Cameroonian-born thought
leader and Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently pursuing her
Master’s in Strategic Business Management at the University of
Pretoria, Elma is known for using her voice and platform to inspire
change across the continent. Her journey began early—at just 15,
she became South Africa’s Youth Ambassador for the Global
Volunteering Network, and by 16, she represented the continent
at the Global Young Leaders Conference at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York. She was elected Chairperson of the
Youth UN 2016 by 169 delegates and received a standing ovation
for her groundbreaking closing address. Elma went on to earn the
Barclays Africa Bursary for academic excellence and leadership
potential and became the youngest-ever President of the Golden
Key International Honour Society at her university. By age 21, she
had completed two degrees, was selected as one of GradStar’s
Top 100 Most Employable Graduates from over 7,000 applicants,
and received a Mastercard scholarship for her postgraduate
studies.
advocacy, and gender equality. A Cameroonian-born thought
leader and Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently pursuing her
Master’s in Strategic Business Management at the University of
Pretoria, Elma is known for using her voice and platform to inspire
change across the continent. Her journey began early—at just 15,
she became South Africa’s Youth Ambassador for the Global
Volunteering Network, and by 16, she represented the continent
at the Global Young Leaders Conference at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York. She was elected Chairperson of the
Youth UN 2016 by 169 delegates and received a standing ovation
for her groundbreaking closing address. Elma went on to earn the
Barclays Africa Bursary for academic excellence and leadership
potential and became the youngest-ever President of the Golden
Key International Honour Society at her university. By age 21, she
had completed two degrees, was selected as one of GradStar’s
Top 100 Most Employable Graduates from over 7,000 applicants,
and received a Mastercard scholarship for her postgraduate
studies.