Cynthia Onyinye Mbamalu is a lawyer, co-founder, and Director of Programs at Yiaga Africa, where she champions youth participation, gender equality, and electoral integrity across Africa.

A co-founder of the Not Too Young To Run movement and leader of the #WatchingTheVote project, she has helped shape key reforms, including Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022. With 17+ years of advocacy, international election observation experience, and global fellowships, including Harvard Kennedy School, Cynthia continues to drive democracy, human rights, and political inclusion on the continent.