MICHAEL WOTAMA PEWU

Michael Wotama Pewu is the founder of Meni-Nina Farmers Inc., a member-based organization that derives a livelihood from the agricultural and food industries. The business has created rural employment opportunities for youth affected by the devastating living conditions and high unemployment. This has contributed to maximizing income by helping farmers graduate from hand-to-mouth survival to acquiring physical and financial assets, family healthcare, children's education, and building shelters. Michael helped this business win the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program back in 2017 and subsequently became a Mentor for the program. Apart from Meni-Nina Farmers Inc., Michael is the country Hub Lead for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program - Liberia. He also has over 12 years of experience in project planning, implementation, and management and worked with FAO as a national consultant before setting up the Meni-Nina Farmers team. Before going to FAO, Michael served as the Deputy Chief of Party/Senior Financial Advisor for the World Council of Credit Union in Liberia and served as the Business Management & Credit Specialist for USAID Winrock International (SHOPS) Project. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Michael hopes to use the knowledge acquired to impact his home community and improve Meni-Nina Farmers.

EDUCATION 

Bachelor of Science Degree in General Agriculture with minor in Integrated Rural Development - Cuttington University; MBA with emphasis in Project Management - University of Central Nicaragua