Welcome to the co-ambassadors page for Western Africa. Below you will find a list of co-ambassadors for the Western Africa region, alongside their Regional Coordinator.
Western Africa Regional Coordinator
Samba Simane
Term: 2025-2026
Country: Senegal
Languages: French, Wolof
Mobility programme: PAFROID (Intra-ACP), Cameroon
Samba Simane is a dedicated science educator specialising in Life and Earth Sciences (SVT), with a strong academic background and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture and seed systems. His training in biological sciences has equipped him with solid expertise in teaching, curriculum development and scientific communication, enabling him to connect theory with practice effectively.
In addition to his teaching career, he contributes to the promotion of academic mobility opportunities and supports fellow African students through guidance, mentorship and the sharing of personal experiences.
In 2015, he was awarded an EU-funded mobility scholarship under the PAFROID (Intra-ACP) programme. This opportunity allowed him to study at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, where he pursued a Master’s degree in Seed Technology. His research interests focus on seed-borne diseases, sustainable seed systems and the role of education in strengthening agricultural resilience, with the ambition to develop solutions that enhance food security and empower rural communities.
Co-ambassadors
Jump to:
Benin · Burkina Faso · Côte d'Ivoire · Ghana · Guinea · Mali · Niger · Nigeria · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Togo
Benin
Mathieu Sossou – Co‑Ambassador
Mathieu Sossou obtained a Master’s degree in Linguistics in Benin in 2011. He then worked with several non-governmental organisations, where he gained experience in communication and community development. In 2016, he received the Mwalimu Nyerere scholarship, which enabled him to pursue a Master’s degree in Communication for Development at Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Burkina Faso.
After completing his Master’s degree in 2018, he worked as a communications consultant at the Comité Inter-États de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS), contributing to the implementation of a regional pastoralism project across six Sahel countries by supporting communication strategies and stakeholder mobilisation. He returned to Benin in 2020 and has been based there since 2022, working as a consultant in communication and resource mobilisation.
In 2024, he set up a consultancy called Kekeli Consulting, through which he supports NGOs with organisational development, including capacity building, improving institutional visibility and support for resource mobilisation.
Languages: French
Mobility programme: Mwalimu Nyerere, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Julien Wendkuuni Tougma – Co‑Ambassador
Julien Wendkuuni Tougma holds a Master’s degree in Fundamental and Applied Geology from the Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In 2014, he received a mobility scholarship under the EU-funded AFIMEGQ programme, which enabled him to pursue a full Master’s degree in spatial planning in Chad.
With more than eight years of experience in the mining sector, he is interested in the links between mining activities and sustainable development.
Languages: French
Mobility programme: INTRA-ACP/ AFIMEGQ, Chad
Côte d'Ivoire
Amani Kouassi – Co‑Ambassador
Amani Kouassi is from Côte d’Ivoire and holds a PhD in Geosciences, specialising in climate change adaptation, from University Nangui Abrogoua in Abidjan. He is currently a scientist at an international organisation, where his work focuses on strengthening climate resilience in agricultural systems and supporting farmers through agroforestry, climate services and innovative climate finance approaches.
He benefitted from the Erasmus PIMASO mobility programme in Burkina Faso. As an ASAF Co‑Ambassador for Côte d’Ivoire (2026–2027), he is committed to promoting academic mobility opportunities and supporting young professionals in accessing international programmes. He strongly believes that ASAF has a crucial role to play in building a better future for Africa.
Languages: French, English
Mobility programme: EU-ACP PIMASO, Burkina Faso
Ghana
Dr Charity Esenam Anor – Co‑Ambassador
Dr Charity Esenam Anor is a passionate science educator, researcher and academic professional with a rich background spanning Chemistry Education, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Sustainability Education, Green Chemistry and Systems Thinking in Chemistry. She holds a PhD in Science Education from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana, completed in part through an ERASMUS+ PhD Fellowship at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. This international and interdisciplinary experience informs her commitment to bridging formal scientific knowledge with indigenous wisdom to promote sustainability and nurture critical, socially responsible thinkers.
She is currently a Senior Lecturer at UEW, where she supports the professional development of future chemistry and science educators through research-informed, contextually relevant teaching approaches. Alongside this role, she serves as Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at UEW’s Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development, overseeing the assessment of research programmes and institutional initiatives. Dr Charity is also Secretary of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Ghana International Chemical Science Chapter, contributing to professional development, scientific networking and the advancement of chemistry education in Ghana.
Dr Charity’s research is interdisciplinary and impact-focused, with interests including chemistry education pedagogy, the integration of indigenous knowledge into formal science curricula, systems thinking in science education, sustainable and green chemistry and environmental science education. Her work emphasises inclusive, locally grounded and sustainability-driven approaches to science learning, aiming to strengthen environmental literacy and support meaningful community and educational change.
Languages: English
Mobility programme: Erasmus+, Finland
Guinea
Diallo Néné Maïmouna – Co‑Ambassador
Diallo Néné Maïmouna was in her final year at the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de l’Éducation de Guinée when she decided to pursue a Master’s degree following her Bachelor’s. She spoke with one of her lecturers, who told her about EU-funded scholarships and shared the application link.
She then applied for the Intra-Africa (ACP) mobility scholarship, which offered a nine-month programme in Computer Engineering at the École Normale Supérieure Polytechnique de Yaoundé in Cameroon. From October 2016 to July 2017, she completed the programme, gained academic experience and built skills that she continues to use in her work.
In 2022, she became a member of ASAF. She attended ASAF’s Annual General Assembly in Cotonou, Benin, in September 2024 and in Cape Town, South Africa, in July 2025, where she took part in training on management and project management, met other members and strengthened her professional network. Currently, she works as a teacher and also provides consultancy support to several organisations in her field.
Languages: French
Mobility programme: ACP ERMIT, Cameroon
Mali
Sira Antoinette Doumbia – Co‑Ambassador
Sira Antoinette Doumbia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hydro-Agricultural Development and a Master’s degree in Integrated Watershed Management, and has acquired strong experience in sustainable agriculture, water management and community development.
She has worked with NGOs and international institutions on projects related to food security, climate resilience and solar-powered irrigation. Currently, she is Assistant to the Director at the Groupement pour l’Aménagement et la Gestion de l’Environnement, a consulting organisation in Mali, and she serves as an ASAF Co‑Ambassador for Western Africa.
Her research interests focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation systems and agroecological practices.
Languages: French, English
Mobility programme: Intra Africa Mobility Scheme, Uganda
Niger
Ayouba Tinni Ismael – Co‑Ambassador
Ayouba Tinni Ismael is a specialist physician in rheumatology, who was awarded an Erasmus+ grant for a six‑month traineeship in the rheumatology department of Pasteur University Hospital in Nice. This experience enabled him to strengthen his clinical and academic skills in rheumatology and to complete his specialist training in a high‑level professional environment.
He is currently awaiting his official appointment decree as an Assistant in Rheumatology at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Abdou Moumouni University.
Languages: French
Mobility programme: Erasmus+, France
Nigeria
Chidimma Anthonia Anyikwa – Co‑Ambassador
Chidimma Anthonia Anyikwa is an educational technologist and researcher who is enthusiastic about creating adaptive digital learning environments that cater to diverse learners. Her work centres on leveraging analytics to inform instructional decisions, and pioneering the integration of emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality and gamification. She is a member of the Computer Education Association of Nigeria and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
Through her work with ASAF, Chidimma has supported Erasmus+ awareness activities reaching more than 3,000 NYSC members, organised a renewable energy capacity building initiative for ASAF members, and led an Erasmus Days event at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with over 600 participants. She has also represented ASAF at an AU–EU Innovation Conference in Belgium.
Languages: English, French, Igbo
Mobility programme: Intra-Africa Mobility, Cameroon
Emmanuel Chukwunweike Nwangwu – Co‑Ambassador
Emmanuel Chukwunweike Nwangwu is an Associate Professor and former Head of the Department of Computer and Robotics Education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specialising in educational multimedia, software development, robotics, and artificial intelligence applications in education and TVET. He holds a BSc in Education and Computer Science, an MEd in Computer Education and a PhD in Computer and Robotics Education.
His international mobility experience includes participation in the Erasmus+ KA107 programme at the University of Valladolid, Spain, and the Intra Africa (AFRICOM) programme in Tunisia. He currently serves as the National President of the Computer Educators Association of Nigeria and as the Erasmus+ Principal Investigator and contact person for IES Abastos (INTERCON), Spain, at his institution. His research interests focus on innovative educational technology, artificial intelligence, multimedia, robotics and cybersecurity.
Languages: Igbo, English
Mobility programme: Erasmus+ in Spain, Intra Africa mobility in Tunisia
Senegal
Awa Ly – Co‑Ambassador
Awa Ly holds two Master’s degrees in Information and Library Sciences, obtained at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and at the Complutense University of Madrid through an international mobility programme. Through this path, she has developed solid expertise in information management and the promotion and valorisation of information.
Her background includes internships at the National Assembly of Senegal, Bibliothèque Lecture Développement and the National Social Housing Company (Société Nationale des Habitations à Loyer Modéré), which helped her build strong foundations in archiving and records management. She has also held several professional roles, notably at the Institut français de Dakar as a media librarian, and later in digitisation projects for Senelec and at SESA Technologies, where she progressed into roles as a team lead, business developer and operations manager, including international experience in Togo.
Her current interests focus on digital transformation, information governance and optimising documentary and records systems.
Languages: French
Mobility programme: Erasmus Mundus ACPII, Spain
Sierra Leone
Mohamed Samu – Co‑Ambassador
Mohamed Samu is an agronomist specialising in applied entomology. He holds a BSc in Agronomy from Njala University, Sierra Leone, and a European Joint Master’s degree in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, and the University of Padova, Italy. He is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture at Milton Margai Technical University, Sierra Leone. His research and professional work focus on sustainable crop production, insect‑based innovations, and the use of insects for food, feed, fertiliser and biological pest control. Alongside his academic role, Mohamed is a policy advocate and start‑up innovator. He is the Founder and CEO of the Centre for Tropical Insect Research and Development (CIRD), Sierra Leone, an insect‑based institution promoting sustainable agricultural and environmental solutions. In recognition of this work, he received the H.E. President Bio Innovation Award 2025 for introducing Black Soldier Fly technology to recycle organic waste into protein for livestock and aquaculture, as well as organic fertiliser for soil improvement.
Languages: English
Mobility programme: Erasmus Mundus, Spain and Italy
