Mongabay is proud to announce the second cohort of the Mongabay Africa Environmental Reporting Fellowship Program in French, welcoming six distinguished early-career journalists.
In an era when environmental degradation is increasingly apparent, the role of quality environmental journalism cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, the evolution of business models in media has resulted in limited opportunities for budding journalists, particularly in regions heavily impacted by climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and threats to Indigenous communities and oceans.
In response to this situation, Mongabay Africa has established the Environmental Reporting Fellowship in French for journalism on the continent. The program provides opportunities for journalists from biodiversity hotspots in low- and middle-income tropical countries to report on critical environmental issues.
This is an exceptional opportunity for environmental journalists from biodiversity hotspots in tropical countries in Africa. Fellows gain valuable training, experience and credibility to help them advance their careers in journalism and communications. Ultimately, we aim for fellows to join our growing global network as regular Mongabay contributors.
Meet the new fellows
This year’s program saw more than 500 applications from around Africa, reflecting a highly competitive selection process.
We’re excited to welcome Annela Faustine Niamolo, Esther Senpa Blaksemdi, Géraud Wilfried Obangome, Rimteta Ngarndinon, Vivace Mambouana, and Yanne Mbiyavanga as our newest fellows.
Annela Faustine Niamolo
Annela Faustine Niamolo, born in Bangui, Central African Republic, is a journalist, poet and scriptwriter with a passion for art and writing. Her collection of poems titled Les larmes de mon cœur was published in March 2019. With a degree in journalism, she began her career at the local radio station of the Network of Journalists for Human Rights (RJDH) before becoming a freelance photojournalist and correspondent for AFP in the Central African Republic in 2022. Committed to her community, the 29-year-old journalist continues to promote her collections of poems, while highlighting social issues in the Central African Republic.
Connect with Annela
Find more about Annela’s background on her LinkedIn.
Esther Senpa Blaksemdi
Esther Senpa Blaksemdi is a passionate journalist and graduate of the École Supérieure de Journalisme in Lille and the Institut de Formation et de Conservation du Patrimoine Audiovisuel (IFCPA) in Cameroon. She works as a freelance journalist and RFI correspondent in Fulfulde, as well as for RFI’s “Alors on dit quoi?” program in northern Cameroon. Passionate about human and environmental issues, she sees herself as a “Reporter of Hope,” committed to building a more resilient society through solutions-based journalism. Winner of the ninth edition of RFI’s Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship in 2022, she won an award in Dakar for her report on “The ordeal of children living with congenital ichthyosis in Senegal.”
Connect with Esther
Find more about Esther’s background on her LinkedIn.
Géraud Wilfried Obangome
Géraud Wilfried Obangome, aged 42, is a Gabonese journalist with a professional degree in information technology. He specializes in journalism as a reporter. Since 2007, he has also worked as a fixer and correspondent for international media such as Reuters, Africanews and Deutsche Welle. Determined, passionate, patient and curious, Géraud is a versatile journalist, in both writing and video editing, always ready for new adventures, with no geographical limits.
Connect with Géraud
Find more about Géraud’s background on his LinkedIn.
Rimteta Ngarndinon
Rimteta Ngarndinon is a 30-year-old Chadian with a master’s degree in geography, specializing in population and development. He has been working for four years as a journalist with the Tchadinfos media group, where he is currently editorial secretary. His training in geography awakened his passion for environmental issues and convinced him that everyone can play a part in protecting the planet.
Connect with Rimteta
Find more about Rimteta’s background on his LinkedIn or Instagram.
Vivace Mambouana
Vivace Mambouana is a Congolese photojournalist based in Brazzaville and currently France 24’s correspondent in the Republic of Congo. After stints in various Congolese media, in 2020 he co-founded Focus Média, an online TV channel that focuses on news from the Congo. Highly committed and active, he campaigns for information on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Today, he wants to specialize in ecological alternatives. His favorite subjects include the crucial issue of deforestation and the environmental consequences of industrial activities.
Connect with Vivace
Find more about Vivace’s background on his LinkedIn or Instagram.
Yanne Mbiyavanga
Yanne Mbiyavanga is a blogger and committed journalist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, living in Kinshasa. She has dedicated part of her career to defending women’s rights and promoting sexual and reproductive health. She is currently focusing her work on environmental rights. Convinced that raising awareness can influence mentalities, she actively campaigns for positive change in society. In her spare time, Yanne enjoys reading, writing and spending time with her family.
Connect with Yanne
Find more about Yanne’s background on her LinkedIn.
About the Mongabay Africa Environmental Reporting Fellowship Program
Mongabay created the Environmental Reporting Fellowship in French to build the capacity of environmental journalists from biodiversity hotspots in tropical countries in Africa.
Fellows gain valuable training, experience and credibility to help them advance their careers in journalism and communications.