Njoke Raisa is a cybersecurity professional and systems analyst, as well as an advocate for climate action, renewable energy, and sustainable food systems.
Kindly introduce yourself and tell us about yourself, your field your journey in that
field.
My name is Njoke-Tangwing Raisa Ngwenyi, from Awing in the Norh-West Region. I am a multi-hyphenate: a cybersecurity professional, climate / renewable energy sustainable food systems advocate, poet / writer, columnist, a former radio host, voice-over artist and a whole lot more. I currently work as a cybersecurity professional and systems analyst. I grew up drawing much attention to my father’s dedication to environmental protection, so from childhood I developed deep interest in filling earth in polythene sacks, planting flowers and trees and preserving seeds. I was also fascinated by how well my mother mastered the typewriter and every day after school as a kid I would watch her fingers clicking buttons incessantly. Now I love
computer keyboards just as much.
In tech, I learned how to code after high-school and overtime I studied systems administration, network
defense, digital forensics. I have a plethora of EC-Council Certifications, most recent of which is the CEHV13 (Certified Ethical Hacking). I’ve always been curious about how systems work so naturally I found
myself drawn to technology, and eventually into cybersecurity. I’ve built experience in operating systems like windows, linux, unix, identifying vulnerabilities, and helping organizations stay secure in an increasingly digital world. Beyond my work in tech, I advocate for environmental protection, climate action, and other eco-friendly practices to have a clean, green and sustainable world. I personally call it preaching the Green Gospel.
In a nutshell, I see myself as someone working at the intersection of technology and sustainability trying
to make a meaningful impact in all three areas.
What drives you to do this work, what impact have you achieved and hope to
achieve?
I’m motivated by the challenge of protecting critical systems and raising awareness to help people reduce the risks of cybercrime, ensuring that organizations and institutions can operate safely in our ever-evolving digital world. At the same time, I’m deeply committed to climate advocacy, because I believe that the choices we make today both in technology and society directly shape the world we leave for future generations.I have inspired thousands of people through environmental influencing, in my role as a Global Landscape Forum Social Media Ambassador, I contributed in curating environmental awareness content that reached over 10 million people globally. Through Centre for Grassroots Sustainability and Sovereignty (C4GSS), an NGO I co-founded, we have impacted over 25,000 people nationwide through advocacy campaigns, planted and distributed tree saplings to 15 local schools and through our seed bank project, we distributed varieties of vegetables to over 8,000 local farmers and farming groups. I served on the ProVeg Youth Board, helping to drive youth-led strategies for sustainable food systems. I also contributed to the Youth4Climate Manifesto, helping amplify global youth voices on climate solutions. These experiences have reinforced my belief that real impact comes from combining expertise with engagement and collaboration.
Are you a student? If yes, how do you manage your time between school and passion? If no? what does your daily routine entail?
I consider myself an eternal student and the world is my classroom, and I’m always learning, whether it’s through formal education, professional experiences, or personal projects. I dedicate time to staying up-to-date with developments in technology in general, cybersecurity and systems administration, understanding emerging threats. At the same time, I carve out space to engage in climate, renewable energy and sustainable food systems through advocacy or policy.For me, it’s all about discipline, planning, and passion and making sure I grow continuously while making an impact in both technology and sustainability.
What are some of the major obstacles you’ve faced and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was running local climate projects with limited funds. I learned to overcome this by collaborating with other organizations and finding creative ways to make an impact despite the resources. In tech, being a woman in a male-dominated field has also been challenging, but staying confident, honing my skills, and leaning on mentors has helped me navigate and thrive. These experiencesdidn’t break but thought me values like resilience and collaboration.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years,I see myself leading global efforts in digital inclusion, policy, and governance, while championing transformative climate and food systems initiatives. I also envision scaling mentorship and support programs for young leaders across Africa through the organization I co-founded, empowering the next generation to drive meaningful change. My goal is to help make Africa a hub where technology, sustainability, and youth leadership converge to shape a better future.
To you what does it mean to be a better breed?
To me, being a better breed means using your skills to create real impact, protecting people, championing sustainability, and lifting others up. It’s about leading with integrity, empathy, and action, and working to make the world better for everyone and the generations to come.
Many social issues in Cameroon are blamed on leadership but through your work you chose to be part of the solution. At what point in your journey did you decide to become an active solution provider?
It wasn’t a single moment, but a gradual realization: meaningful impact comes from taking responsibility, leveraging your skills, and empowering others. From that point, I committed to being part of the solution in my own way, using media, technology, arts, and advocacy to tackle challenges directly rather than waiting for others to act. We all have to take the front seat at some point because it matters.In 2019, I created a widely listened-to radio show called “Change-Makers”, which addressed the UN SDGs along with socio-economic, cultural, and political issues in Cameroon. The conversations it sparked and the awareness it raised had a tangible impact that can never be erased, and it reinforced my belief that even small initiatives can drive meaningful change.
What is one common societal belief or stereotype about young Cameroonians that you have intentionally rejected in your life or work?
A common stereotype is that young Cameroonians are passive or lack the capacity to lead meaningful change. I’ve intentionally challenged this by leading both local and global climate initiatives, including the Italy-IRENA Action for Climate Toolkit workshop in Cameroon, serving as the first Cameroonian on the ProVeg UN Youth Board, working as a USAID YouthLead Ambassador, UN Youth4Climate Represenative and contributing to the highly impactful Youth4Climate Manifesto.Beyond climate work, I’ve also trained staff across multiple ministries in cybersecurity awareness to help reduce cybercrime in Cameroon showing that young people can drive impact in both digital security and sustainable development.
Aside your current work or engagement, what specific sector in Cameroon do you most want to see transformed by 2035, and how is your current work laying a foundation for that transformation?
Beyond my current work, I would most like to see Cameroon’s education and digital ecosystem transformed by 2035 especially in how young people access opportunities in technology, cybersecurity, and sustainability. I believe this sector holds the key to unlocking innovation, reducing unemployment, and building a more resilient and inclusive society.Through my work, I’m already laying that foundation by raising cybersecurity awareness, training public sector staff, and actively engaging young people through mentorship and climate initiatives. By combining digital skills, advocacy, and leadership development, I’m helping to prepare a generation that is not only tech-savvy but also socially conscious and solutions-driven.
How do you ensure that your work doesn’t just benefit you personally, but actively helps others in your community to know better so they can do better?
I’m very intentional about making sure my work goes beyond personal growth and creates value for others. For me, it’s about sharing knowledge, creating access, and building capacity. Whether it’s through training in cybersecurity awareness, writing newspaper columns to educate and inform a wider audience, leading climate initiatives, or mentoring young people, I focus on making information accessible and actionable. At the end of the day, impact for me is measured by how many people are empowered to know better, do better, and become solution providers in their own communities.
In an environment where many seek the “American Dream,” you have chosen to fantasize about something uniquely Cameroonian and make it real. What has been your biggest challenge in staying rooted in Cameroon, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges in staying rooted in Cameroon has been navigating limited resources and opportunities. I overcame this by building networks, collaborating with organizations, and leveraging global platforms to amplify impact. Staying here has taught me that real change comes from commitment, creativity, and using your skills where they’re needed most. To be honest, it can feel daunting at timesespecially in the face of ongoing challenges like the anglophone crisis.
How are you breeding the next generation in your field?
Are there ways you are already mentoring or opening doors for other youth?I’m helping breed the next generation by mentoring young people, speaking at conferences, leading climate initiatives, and providing tech training. My goal is to give them the skills, confidence, and opportunities to lead, innovate, and make real impact in their communities.
What do you think is the long-term sustainability of the impact you are making?
The long-term sustainability of my impact comes from empowering others with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take action themselves. True success is seeing young leaders I’ve mentored carry the work forward, innovate, and multiply positive change in their communities.
what is the one key lesson or truth you want policy-makers and other young Cameroonians to take away from your journey so far?
The key lesson from my journey is that real change begins when you take responsibility and act, regardless of age or resources. Young Cameroonians are capable of leading today, and when empowered, we can drive meaningful impact in technology, climate, renewable energy, education and other sectors
Drawing from your experiences, what are some recommendations you would give to improve the lives of youth in your sector?
I’d recommend investing in youth skills, mentorship, and practical training, especially in tech, cybersecurity, and climate action, agriculture, renewable energy. Youth should also be given real opportunities to lead and innovate, while governments, organizations, and civil society collaborate to provide resources and platforms that turn their ideas into tangible impact.
Better Breed Cameroon’s motto is “Breeding the Change we Need.” If you were the only “breeder” of this change for one day in Cameroon, what is the very first thing you would change about how youth are treated in Cameroon?
If I were the only “breeder” of change for a day, I would end the tokenistic treatment of youth in Cameroon. Too often, we are included symbolically but not given real power to shape decisions. I would ensure young people are truly empowered, heard, and leading initiatives that transform their communities and the nation.