Led by Aïda Diouf, named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders of 2026, the “A Letter To My Younger Self” initiative is a groundbreaking publishing project in Africa, aimed at young women across the continent and its diaspora.
The project takes the form of a bilingual book with a positive impact, bringing together 17 personal letters, all written by leading African women who wished to share the reality of their exceptional journeys and share the advice they wish they had received earlier.
Among the authors: Aisha Ayensu (Christie Brown); Aminata Kane (Visa Group); Angela Wamola (GSMA); Claude Borna (Sèmè City); Coura Carine Sène (Wave Mobile Money); Djaïli Amadou Amal (Goncourt Prize); Georgiana Viou (Michelin-starred chef); Germaine Acogny (contemporary dancer); Hafsat Abiola (Chair of the Board of Directors of Women in Africa Philanthropy); Jocelyne Muhutu Remy (Spotify); Julienne Lusenge (United Nations Human Rights Prize); Marie-Roger Biloa (Africa International Group); Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun (Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmes and CGEM); Ons Jabeur (Grand Slam finalist, former world No. 2 WTA); Paula Nascimento (Venice Biennale, Sharjah Biennial 2027); Sefora Kodjo (Sephis Foundation); Thandiwe Muriu (Photography).
On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, Altmys International and its founder, Aïda Diouf [Executive Director for Africa at the Camusat Group and one of the Young Global Leaders in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 ranking], announce the launch of A Letter To My Younger Self. This initiative, the first of its kind in Africa, is part of an ambitious editorial and social project dedicated to sharing experiences and inspiring young women across the continent.
“If only I had known…” It was a retrospective look at her own journey that inspired Aida Diouf to launch a pan-African movement in support of young women. Driven by a deep desire to inspire future generations to pursue their ambitions, the initiative aims to strengthen the confidence, boldness, and leadership of African women, regardless of their backgrounds.
In a context where female role models of success remain insufficiently visible and accessible, many young African women struggle to find points of reference to guide their choices and assert their ambitions. This lack of shared narratives sometimes limits their ability to fully envision bold career paths. It was in response to this observation that A Letter To My Younger Self (ALTMYS) was born, with the ambition of creating a space for sincere sharing, where the journeys of women leaders become sources of inspiration, guidance, and empowerment for future generations.
“A Letter To My Younger Self was born from a simple conviction: certain words, heard early on, can change a trajectory. With this book, we wanted to highlight African women’s journeys in all their truth with their doubts, their struggles, their crossroads, and their strength. This is not a book that dictates a path; it is a book that opens up possibilities,” says Aïda Diouf.
Changing the narrative. Creating a legacy. Inspiring a generation.
A Letter To My Younger Self brings together 17 exceptional women authors from 12 different countries, representing more than 15 sectors, including Technology and Innovation, Media, Investment, Art, Sports, Agriculture, Fashion, Public and Social Action… All committed to this movement of sisterhood, they have agreed to share their stories with sincerity and authenticity through narratives that are intimate, poignant, and deeply inspiring. This diversity of life stories offers readers a unique wealth of perspectives, illustrating the variety of paths to success and allowing everyone to identify with them and draw lessons for their own future.
The authors include (in alphabetical order):
Aisha Ayensu (Ghana. Fashion)
Founder of Christie Brown
Aminata Kane (Senegal. Finance)
Senior Vice President of Visa for West and Central Africa
Angela Wamola (Kenya. Telecommunications)
Director for Africa at the GSMA
Claude Borna (Benin. Innovation)
CEO of Sèmè City
Coura Carine Sène (Senegal. Fintech)
Regional Director at Wave Mobile Money
Djaïli Amadou Amal (Cameroon. Literature)
Writer, winner of the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens for Les Impatientes
Georgiana Viou (Benin. Gastronomy)
Michelin-starred chef in the 2023 guide
Germaine Acogny (Senegal. Dance)
Pioneer of African contemporary dance, Founder of the École des Sables
Hafsat Abiola (Nigeria. Civil Society)
Activist, founder of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, and President of Women in Africa Philanthropy
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy (Rwanda. Music)
Managing Director of Spotify for Sub-Saharan Africa
Julienne Lusenge (DRC. NGO)
Women’s rights activist and recipient of the United Nations Human Rights Prize
Marie-Roger Biloa (Cameroon. Media)
President of the Africa International Group and an influential figure in African journalism
Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun (Morocco. Agri-food)
CEO of Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmes and the first woman to serve as president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM)
Ons Jabeur (Tunisia. Sports)
Tennis player, first Arab and African woman to reach a Grand Slam final, former world No. 2
Paula Nascimento (Angola. Contemporary Art)
Architect and curator, first African commissioner of the Sharjah Biennial (2027)
Sefora Kodjo (Côte d’Ivoire. Investments)
Entrepreneur and founder of the SEPHIS Foundation
Thandiwe Muriu (Kenya. Photography)
Photographer known for her Camo series, exhibited internationally (UNESCO).
The goal of distributing 10,000 copies for free
Conceived from the outset as a high-impact project, A Letter To My Younger Self goes beyond a simple publication. The initiative aims to distribute 10,000 free copies in more than ten African countries, relying on financial partners, networks of schools, universities, libraries, associations, and NGOs, followed by a freely accessible digital version to broaden its reach.
The book is scheduled for release in bookstores in June 2026 in Morocco, followed by a gradual rollout across several countries on the continent. The launch will be coordinated by the Moroccan publishing house La Croisée des Chemins, the project’s publishing partner. Starting in September 2026, on-the ground activities will build on this momentum through meetings, readings, panels, and educational initiatives tailored to local contexts.
The project is led by a team with complementary expertise, united by a collective ambition to share knowledge:
Nayé Anna Bathily, project patron and head of external affairs for West and Central Africa at the World Bank;
Stella Fumey, brand and communications manager and director of corporate communications at Orange MEA;
Lamba Ka, Head of Partnerships and Field Engagement and Consultant specializing in entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment
For more information about the project, including the authors’ biographies, we invite you to visit our website: www.alettertomyyoungerself.com
About A Letter To My Younger Self
A Letter To My Younger Self is a pan-African publishing initiative that brings together, in a bilingual book, letters written by African women leaders and women from the diaspora to their younger selves. Through the book, large-scale free distribution, and grassroots initiatives, the project aims to strengthen the representation, mentorship, and ambition of young African women. For more information, visit www.alettertomyyoungerself.com.
Press Contacts
tetra x africa
Stephanie De Lima | sdelima@tetra.africa | +33 6 58 81 65 76
Matthieu Hervé | mherve@tetra.africa | + 33 6 63 04 87 73
