Mélanie Keïta Mariame

2026-2027 Obama Foundation Africa Leader

Headshot of Mélanie Keïta Mariame, 2026-2027 Obama Foundation Africa Leader

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Melanin Kapital Neobank

Kenya

Mélanie Keïta Mariame is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Melanin Kapital Neobank, a fintech company dedicated to financing the next generation of African climate champions by unlocking capital for green entrepreneurs. Melanin Kapital has raised over $5M in capital supporting nearly 30 green businesses benefiting over 3,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across 12 African countries, supported by high-level partnerships with institutions like the African Guarantee Fund, the African Development Bank, Gates Foundation, and the European Union. With her team, Mélanie is building the first financial infrastructure designed by Africans for Africans, ensuring that environmental resilience and economic prosperity are accessible even to informal cooperatives and rural enterprises.

YOUR SUPPORT TURNS HOPE INTO ACTION

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

More 2026-2027 Africa Leaders

Abdoulaye Abdelaziz thumbnail

Abdoulaye Abdelaziz

Central African Republic
Bakadi Patient Beya thumbnail

Bakadi Patient Beya

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Christiane Ohin-Traoré thumbnail

Christiane Ohin-Traoré

Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Dhikra Amel Bouzid thumbnail

Dr. Dhikra Amel Bouzid

Algeria
Dr. Leonard Naphazi Kambewa thumbnail

Dr. Leonard Naphazi Kambewa

Malawi
Dr. Rasha Hussein Elsayed Moustafa Mohamed thumbnail

Dr. Rasha Hussein Elsayed Moustafa Mohamed

Egypt
Dr. Sidi Mohamed Dhaker thumbnail

Dr. Sidi Mohamed Dhaker

Mauritania
Dr. Stephane Mabouna thumbnail

Dr. Stephane Mabouna

Cameroon
Edmilson Angelo thumbnail

Edmilson Angelo

Angola
Gorata Manyaapelo-McKinnon thumbnail

Gorata Manyaapelo-McKinnon

Botswana
Ignitious Phoku thumbnail

Ignitious Phoku

South Africa
Ileana Santos thumbnail

Ileana Santos

Togo
Inessa Ba thumbnail

Inessa Ba

Burkina Faso
Isimeme Ughele thumbnail

Isimeme Ughele

Nigeria
Jane Hanna thumbnail

Jane Hanna

Egypt
Junior Devys Convolbo thumbnail

Junior Devys Convolbo

Côte d’Ivoire
Kevin Milo thumbnail

Kevin Milo

Kenya
Khadar Mariano thumbnail

Khadar Mariano

Somaliland
Kindo Adamou Ibrahim thumbnail

Kindo Adamou Ibrahim

Niger
Kweyakie Afi Blebo thumbnail

Kweyakie Afi Blebo

Ghana
Lina G. Kacyem thumbnail

Lina G. Kacyem

Cameroon
Ignitious Phoku thumbnail

Mabinto Indjai

Guinea-Bissau
Marie-Laurence Archambault thumbnail

Marie-Laurence Archambault

Togo
Melissa Kerim thumbnail

Melissa Kerim

Togo
Micheal Gumisiriza thumbnail

Micheal Gumisiriza

Uganda
Mohammed Iddi thumbnail

Mohammed Iddi

Ghana
Mohammed Zaid thumbnail

Mohammed Zaid

Libya
Mutesi Gasana Chantal thumbnail

Mutesi Gasana Chantal

Rwanda
Phebe Ilesanmi thumbnail

Phebe Ilesanmi

Nigeria
Rifumo Mathebula thumbnail

Rifumo Mathebula

South Africa
Sonia Mavouna thumbnail

Sonia Mavouna

Comoros
William Deng thumbnail

William Deng

South Sudan
Yewande Benn thumbnail

Yewande Benn

Nigeria
Youngerson Matete thumbnail

Youngerson Matete

Zimbabwe

More about the Leaders Program

A headshot of a young woman smiling at the camera. The young woman has olive skin and brown eyes. She has dark curly hair that hits her shoulders and is wearing a blue denim shirt.

Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

Learn More
A person wearing a hoodie with the hood up is shown in profile, crouching down to light a candle. She is seen in profile in the glow of candlelight coming from dozens of votives surrounded by assorted flowers. A set of small votive candles are arranged in the shape of a heart near the person’s foot. Six heart-shaped red balloons float above the vigil.
  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Terrace at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
Learn more
placeholder
  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
Learn more
President Obama speaks on a panel. In the background is a board that reads, "CHICAGO." It is a bright blue color with the Chicago map on the right side.
  • Watch
  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
Learn more