Our Story
Founded by Niankoro Yeah Samaké
ADA was founded by Niankoro Yeah Samaké — a Malian diplomat, former mayor, and presidential candidate whose life has been shaped by a single conviction inherited from his father in Ouélessébougou: to lead is to serve.
- Mayor
As Mayor of Ouélessébougou, Yeah transformed one of Mali’s least developed communes into a model of transparent local governance.
- Ambassador
As Mali’s Ambassador to India and nine Southeast Asian nations, he represented his country on the world stage.
- Founder
As founder of the Empower Mali Foundation, he has helped build more than 50 schools and 80 water systems.
- Presidential candidate
And as a candidate for President of Mali, he has stood — at personal cost — for the principle that power belongs to the people.
ADA was born from a hard lesson: development without democracy is fragile.
Schools can be built and wells can be drilled, but without accountable government, free elections, and the rule of law, progress remains at the mercy of the powerful. ADA exists to secure the foundation on which all other progress stands.