N’Dah Olivier Sambiéni: A Committed Actor for Inclusion and Community Development
In October 2025, Stake experts launched the second cohort of its Professional Exchange Program for Conflict Mitigation by CSOs, an initiative designed to support leaders of West African organizations navigating a period of profound upheaval. Over three months, participants receive intensive guidance to strengthen their institutions’ resilience and competitiveness through practical programme development tools. In this feature, we spotlight one of the four members of the second cohort: N’Dah Olivier Sambiéni
N’Dah Olivier Sambiéni is a young advocate for inclusion and community development in the Atacora department. With a professional degree in applied economics, he has mobilized his NGO Tibena to strengthen ties with local communities and build expertise in managing social projects.
Since 2018, Olivier has actively participated in the “Useful Holidays Program,” an initiative that significantly influenced his journey through 2024. Through this program, he promoted youth entrepreneurship, socio-professional integration, and digital skills development.
In 2024, he became the administrative and financial manager of Tibena NGO, playing a key role in the PiSSCA Project (Innovative Project of Civil Societies and Coalitions of Actors). This initiative focuses on strengthening resilience and economic inclusion of women producers and processors of soy, shea, and maize in Cobly and Boukombé. Olivier contributed to the creation of two local cooperatives and supported the training of 120 women in producing green charcoal and eco-friendly fire starters.
His commitment is rooted in his experience within the school scouting movement, which instilled in him a strong sense of service and community responsibility and a desire to contribute to the well-being of his community. As a supervisor and lead trainer, he has mentored over one hundred young people in Atacora and Donga, consolidating his role as a mentor and catalyst for change.
Olivier envisions a future where youth play a central role in community development. His participation in the CSO Program-Cohort 2 of Stake experts reflects this vision by equipping him with the skills and knowledge necessary to empower youth and foster their involvement in community development initiatives representing an opportunity for learning and professionalization to better serve his community by enhancing his ability to implement effective programs that engage youth in meaningful ways.
TIBENA NGO: Actor of Peace and Community Development
Founded in 2019 and officially registered, Tibena NGO operates in the departments of Atacora (Cobly, Boukoumbé, Matéri) and Donga (Djougou, Ouaké). Its mission is to strengthen the capacities of youth, women, and local communities to promote peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
Emerging from cultural initiatives organized during school holidays to highlight traditions and engage youth, Tibene now works across diverse areas, entrepreneurship, education, local governance, sustainable agriculture, culture, and environmental protection.
Among its notable actions in the PiSSCA Project, it has conducted awareness campaigns against violent extremism and terrorism, reaching more than 500 beneficiaries.
Structured around a board of Directors, an Executive Directorate, and volunteers, Tibena NGO adopts a participatory and digital approach to maximize impact. It mobilizes local actors and sustains its initiatives through partnerships and cooperatives while integrating the principles of inclusion, accountability, and community participation.
For more information, please contact fellowship@stakeexperts.com.
Good job