In 2023 Dr. Joseph Olivier Mendo’o was recognized in the activism and humanitarian list of the MIPAD100 under 40. In support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation's General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, it's people on the continent and across it's Diaspora.
Joseph Olivier Mendo’o has a Ph.D. in International politics specializing in Security and Development. With his command of more than 10 languages, including Mandarin, Japanese, German, and English among others, Mendo’o regularly visited Chinese rural areas, including more than 40 villages, high schools, and colleges, with the goal of “teaching Africa” to Chinese people, while learning about Chinese grassroots governance and its poverty reduction strategies. He was decorated international cultural ambassador in several cities and towns, including Lishui and Fuyang Districts in Zhejiang province. In 2021, he wrote two letters to Chinese President Xi Jinping sharing his experiences and suggestions regarding China-Africa cooperation and youth concerns. He received two replies from the Chinese president testifying to his influence and relevance in the field.
He received the Young Achiever Award, and Outstanding African Scholar Award during the Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards. It appears that he is the first scholar from Cameroon who conducted a Ph.D. entirely in Mandarin from Peking University (ranking the best university in China and second in Asia).
In the professional context, he is
1) Research Assistant at the Peking University Center for African Studies (PKUCAS)
2) International Volunteer Chief Officer, appointed by the Beijing Changier Education Foundation (Beijing, China)
3) Head of the African youth delegation in China
4) Co-Founder of the China Africa Youth Federation (CAYF). In addition, he was a Research Analyst at Development Reimagined in 2021

5) Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) 2023 and Country Director of China for MIPAD
His research essentially aims to improve the well-being of populations in Africa by rethinking security in Africa and brainstorming on new strategies to alleviate poverty in the continent.