Bertrand Momo is a Cameroonian education specialist and creative whose career is a testament to the power of resilience and “social innovation.” As an Education Specialist at the World Bank, he operates at the vanguard of EdTech, utilizing digital tools to reshape learning outcomes across West Africa.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Momo Bertrand was born in Douala, Cameroon. Raised in a family that valued hard work and education, he excelled early, eventually being named the “Best Student in the Republic of Cameroon” by the GCE Board.
His academic journey is marked by high-level international training:
- Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB): He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management, graduating as valedictorian.
- University of San Diego: He moved to California on a scholarship to obtain a Master’s in Social Innovation.
- Quantic School of Business and Technology: He later completed an MBA to sharpen his leadership skills.
The Road to the World Bank
Bertrand’s professional rise is frequently cited as an inspiration for young professionals. Before joining the World Bank Group through the prestigious Young Professionals Program (YPP) in 2022, he faced a gruelling journey. He famously applied to over 500 positions at the United Nations before securing a role as a Digital Media Officer at the ITCILO (a UN agency) in Turin, Italy.
At the World Bank, his work centres on:
- EdTech Initiatives: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and digital literacy into higher education curricula.
- Employability: Leading roundtables and research on how digitalization can bridge the gap between academic training and the modern job market.
- Storytelling: Using his background in digital marketing to help international organizations communicate complex development goals to the public.
The Award-Winning Poet
Beyond the data-driven world of global finance, Bertrand is a celebrated literary voice. His poetry often mirrors his professional mission, exploring themes of development, love, and peace. He believes that stories—whether told through verses or policy briefs—are the most effective tools for changing human behaviour and fostering community progress.
“Our educational system has forgotten to teach people how to live, how to love, how to be happy, and how to make other people happy.”
Through his dual roles as a policy expert and a poet, Bertrand continues to prove that the most profound changes in society happen when technical expertise is paired with human empathy.
