ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT WILLIAM NIYOMUGABO, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Ashesi University | Accra, Ghana | Advancing SDG 12, SDG 13 & UNAI 3
" I do this work because I believe God placed me here to protect what He has already given us: our seeds, our heritage, and our people. The Millennium Fellowship is not just an opportunity to learn; it is a calling to lead Africa toward a future where our traditions and innovations grow together. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: UmurageHarvest
UmurageHarvest is a Pan-African agri-biotech initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting Africa’s indigenous seeds that are climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, and deeply connected to our culture. Our three-pillar approach integrates mobile DNA and seed vaults to safeguard biodiversity, a Seed Innovation Platform to connect farmers, researchers, and youth, and community-based training to revive indigenous farming knowledge. This Rwanda pilot will generate scientific evidence, forge strategic partnerships, and spark a movement for sustainable, self-reliant African food systems.
Measurable Goals (August-December 2025)
1. Launch pilot seed conservation and germination testing in partnership with three national research institutions.
2. Digitally document at least 15 indigenous seed varieties on the Seed Innovation Platform prototype.
3. Train 40+ farmers, students, and community leaders in climate-smart indigenous farming practices.
4. Publish a public pilot report to guide policy, advocacy, and scale-up strategy.
5. Secure three new strategic partnerships to sustain and expand the initiative.
Our Vision: "Reviving Africa’s future by protecting its past; UmurageHarvest preserves and promotes indigenous seeds to feed, sustain, and empower generations."
About the Millennium Fellow
William Niyomugabo is a Rwandan changemaker and a Mechanical Engineering student at Ashesi University, Ghana. Raised in a humble family of ten, William channels resilience and faith into ventures addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges. He is the Founder & CEO of UmurageHarvest, preserving indigenous, climate-resilient crops, and leads other initiatives in health, STEM education, and the circular economy. A Millennium Fellow (Class of 2025), William applies insights from global programs, including the Ashesi–Harvard Startup Bootcamp, AHCI² Incubation, and IDEO U, to build sustainable, community-driven solutions that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
