Fonso Amidou Ndakuna: A Global Cameroonian Inspiring Youth to Shape the Nation’s Future

 

Imagine a hall filled with thousands of young Cameroonians — eyes brimming with curiosity, hearts charged with hope, and minds searching for answers to the country’s pressing challenges. In such a setting, one figure stands out as both an inspiration and a blueprint for possibility: Fonso Amidou Ndakuna, a son of the soil born in Bambalang village, Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region, whose journey across continents embodies excellence, resilience and purpose-driven leadership.
Founder of a leading Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence consulting firm, Ndakuna has advised governments, multinational corporations and institutions in over 65 countries worldwide. His work spans Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Middle East and Australia, focusing on the design, implementation and enforcement of data protection regulations and artificial intelligence laws.
Through his expertise, Ndakuna has played a pivotal role in supporting governments to establish data protection regulatory bodies, ensuring that such laws become enablers rather than barriers to innovation, investment and business growth. His firm has also partnered with global giants such as Anglo American, the world’s largest mining company, Sagicor, the leading banking group across the Caribbean, as well as Jaguar Land Rover and Vodafone, among others, helping them design strategies, policies and operational frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance across their global operations.
Beyond his international consulting career, Ndakuna remains deeply rooted in social entrepreneurship and community development. For over 17 years, he has actively contributed to improving healthcare infrastructure in Cameroon and across Africa. He is the founder of several healthcare clinics and Harda Polyclinic, a modern medical facility located in Bonaberi, Douala, established to provide Cameroonians with accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services.
The impact of Harda Polyclinic is reflected in countless human stories. Amina, a young mother who required urgent surgery, regained hope after receiving life-saving treatment she could not previously afford. Her recovery and return to her children underscore the real-life social impact of Ndakuna’s healthcare vision.

Academic Excellence and Global Recognition

Ndakuna’s academic journey is marked by exceptional distinction and international recognition. After completing his early education in Cameroon, he pursued higher studies in the United Kingdom and the United States, earning multiple degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions.
He holds a Master’s in Public Policy (Technology and Leadership) from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, obtained in 2022 under the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategy and Operations from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, alongside a Diploma in Finance and Valuation Modelling, both in 2017.
Earlier, he obtained a Master of Science in the Social Science of the Internet from the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, in 2016, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, with distinction (82%), from Brunel University, London, in 2012.
His academic excellence has been recognised through several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Pershing Square Scholarship at Oxford University, the UK Best Black Student Award presented by the UK Houses of Parliament in 2016, and the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Prize for best engineering thesis at Brunel University.
In the corporate world, Ndakuna also distinguished himself early, winning the Vodafone Star Award in 2013 for saving over £2 million annually in operational costs, and the Motorola Junior Engineer of the Year Award in 2010 for his contribution to a £11 million UN project in Afghanistan.

Professional Leadership and Certifications

A globally respected expert in data protection, privacy and emerging technologies, Ndakuna holds several professional certifications, including Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe (CIPP/E) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), both awarded by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He is also trained in Artificial Intelligence Governance, risk management, IT service management, and advanced project and programme management frameworks.

A Model for Cameroon’s Youth

As Cameroon searches for pathways toward digital transformation, youth empowerment and sustainable development, the story of Fonso Amidou Ndakuna offers both inspiration and direction. From Bambalang to Oxford, Harvard and global boardrooms, his journey demonstrates what is possible when vision meets discipline, and ambition is guided by service.