Manasseh Samantha Matemba, a 2023 MUST graduate with a Master of Science in Biodiversity Informatics, has been selected among over 400 women across Africa to join the Accelerating African Women’s Leadership in Climate Action fellowship.

For Matemba, this achievement is more than an honour, it is a powerful affirmation of her journey in climate leadership.

“Being selected means stepping into a space where women’s voices in climate leadership are not only heard but amplified. It’s a call to rise, represent, and reshape the future of climate action with courage and clarity,” she said.

According to Matemba, the inspiration to apply came from her passion for inclusive leadership in climate governance.

She believes that African women and youth must play an active role in shaping climate solutions. 

Through this fellowship, Matemba plans to strengthen her leadership in climate-informed infrastructure planning and biodiversity offset strategies. She also aims to mentor youth, organize climate dialogues, and share reflections on leadership fundamentals that are often overlooked by global decision-makers.

Reflecting on her journey, Matemba credited MUST for laying the foundation for her success. 

“MUST built my scientific curiosity, resilience, and interdisciplinary thinking. It was there that I learned to blend data with storytelling, a skill I now use to inspire action,” she said.