By Marcus Chimudzi
Zimbabwean entrepreneur and climate innovation leader Freedom Mukanga has been named the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Impact Award winner, becoming the first Zimbabwean to receive the continental honor since the program’s launch in 2014.
The award, presented annually by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, recognizes one outstanding alumnus from more than 7,800 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni across Africa for exceptional leadership, measurable community impact, and efforts to strengthen ties between African changemakers and U.S. partners.
Mukanga received the award at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Harare on Wednesday, where U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont hailed his achievements.
“Today, we are proud to honor Freedom Mukanga, the first Zimbabwean Exchange Alumni to receive this honor,” said Ambassador Tremont. “This prestigious recognition is reserved for one exceptional leader whose work strengthens economic growth, advances democratic governance, and deepens regional collaboration.”
Mukanga was recognized for leveraging connections formed through the Mandela Washington Fellowship to build strong partnerships with American professionals and institutions in hydrometeorology, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, with impact extending across Sub-Saharan Africa.
He is the founder and chief executive officer of FreedPer Scientific, a company providing advanced weather observation systems and meteorological data services across Africa. Through strategic collaborations with U.S. partners including Campbell Scientific, Synoptic Data, and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Mukanga has contributed to improved weather data collection and enhanced disaster preparedness in Zimbabwe.
Beyond science and technology, Mukanga has also worked with U.S. educational institutions to deliver training and upskilling programmes for emerging entrepreneurs and poultry farmers. These initiatives have supported food security, expanded opportunities for American investors, and strengthened U.S.–Zimbabwe trade and economic cooperation.
U.S. Embassy officials said Mukanga’s work exemplifies how American expertise and business partnerships can be harnessed to advance shared peace and prosperity between the United States and Africa. Mukanga credited the Mandela Washington Fellowship for helping him scale his ventures and deepen cross-border collaborations.
The U.S. Embassy in Harare congratulated Mukanga on the achievement, describing him as a proven bridge between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa and a model of impactful alumni leadership.
