Josiane Sylvie Mbakop Noukeu

Over fifteen years in public service, Ms. Josiane Sylvie Mbakop Noukeu has served as general manager of Mutuelle d’Epargne et de Crédit pour le Développement de l’Entrepreneuriat Féminin (MUDEF), a microfinance institution for women and youth entrepreneurs in Cameroon, and CEO of Femmes Volontaires pour la Promotion de l’Education Populaire à la Démocratie, à la Paix et au bien être Economique (VEPDEF), an organization of volunteer women dedicated to promoting public education on democracy, peace, and sustainable development. In these roles she has handled the coordination of all units, overseen the management of resources and fundraising activities, and designed and led various training programs for over 5,000 women and youth across the country.  

In 1999, Ms. Mbakop Noukeu earned a Master’s Degree in Cooperative and Association Management at the Pan-African High Institute for Cooperative Economy in Cotonou, Benin. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in French Literature at Yaounde University in Cameroon. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Cooperative Economy and Development Management at the African University for Cooperative and Development in Benin.

In the United States, Ms. Mbakop Noukeu plans to acquire new knowledge related to credit union management, the financing of startups and entrepreneurs, and the management of nonprofit organizations. Upon her return to Cameroon, she hopes to establish an incubation center for women and young entrepreneurs that support MUDEF gender equity goals.