Special Acknowledgements
WiM-Africa extends heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished leaders, partners, and allies who contributed their voices and expertise to the Validation Workshop of the WiM-Africa Action Plan (2025–2030).
Your presence and insights have validated not only the document but also the vision of an inclusive, sustainable, and transformative mining future for Africa.
"In partnership, we drive progress. In purpose, we deliver impact. In collaboration, we create lasting change."
High-Level Dignitaries
H.E. Mrs. Mariem Mint Dah – First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Her Excellency provides continental leadership in advancing women’s empowerment, education, and community health. At the Validation Workshop, she declared the WiM-Africa Action Plan (2025–2030) validated, setting a historic milestone for gender equity and sustainable transformation in Africa’s mining sector.
H.E. Mrs. Mariem Mint Dah – First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
H.E. Dr. Amany Asfour – President, Africa Business Council
Dr. Asfour is a continental leader in women’s economic empowerment and private sector advocacy, serving as President of the Africa Business Council and Founder of the African Alliance for Women Empowerment. Her contribution highlights the link between trade, industry, and women-led enterprises in advancing the Action Plan’s goals under AfCFTA.
Development Partners & Institutions
Maureen Nneka Mba – Africa Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), MANSA Digital Initiative
Acknowledged for her leadership in advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation, providing African businesses with trusted platforms that strengthen cross-border trade and transparency.
Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi – Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)
Hajiya Shinkafi leads the Solid Minerals Development Fund, driving investments, innovation, and sustainability in the mining sector. Her support underscores the importance of strategic financing and institutional frameworks in delivering WiM-Africa’s vision of value addition and community-centered mining.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni – CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to expanding Nigeria’s export potential, and for her commitment to empowering women-led enterprises to access global markets.
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji – Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)
Honored for his exemplary leadership in driving transparency, accountability, and good governance in Africa's extractive industries, setting a standard for inclusive and responsible resource management.
Kristi Disney Bruckner – Law & Policy Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), UK
Celebrated for her global advocacy in setting standards for responsible mining and for advancing policies that protect human rights and environmental sustainability in the sector.
Natasha Nzingo – The Impact Facility (Kenya)
Recognized for her role in supporting responsible artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) enterprises through financing and technical assistance, strengthening livelihoods across African communities.
Winifrida Kanwa – Senior Project Manager, Solidaridad East and Central Africa (Tanzania)
Acknowledged for her remarkable leadership in advancing responsible supply chains across East and Central Africa, and for championing programs that enhance women’s participation, community resilience, and sustainability in the mining and agricultural sectors.
Mr. Fredrick Nonde Jr – VP Administration, AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (Ghana)
Celebrated for his dedication to youth empowerment within the AfCFTA framework, fostering opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate in Africa’s evolving trade and industrial landscape.
Dr. Madeline R. Young-Touré – Advisory Board Member, WiM-Africa
Distinguished interdisciplinary researcher and lecturer at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) and the University of Exeter, whose PhD research interrogates the intersections of natural resource governance, decolonial geopolitics, and ESG in African mining contexts. A creator of archival-driven art / scholarly projects such as “Distinguishing African Identities,” she brings a critical voice on colonial legacies, social impacts, and sustainable futures to advance WiM-Africa’s mission.
Dr. Priscilla Mbarumun Achakpa – Founder, Women Environmental Programme (WEP); Advisory Board Member, WiM-Africa
Acknowledged for her lifelong dedication to environmental justice, gender equality, and grassroots empowerment, ensuring that women’s voices are central to Africa’s development and mining transformation.
Abbi Buxton – Advisory Board Member, WiM-Africa
Recognized for her independent expertise as a GBV specialist consultant, bringing critical insight on safeguarding, protection, and inclusive policy design that strengthens WiM-Africa’s advocacy and program impact across the continent.
Mr. Charles Simakumba – White Ribbon Namibia
Honored as a dedicated male ally mobilizing men to end gender-based violence in mining communities, championing the role of men as partners in creating safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces for women and girls.
Regional & National WiM Leaders
Nametso Ntosa-Carr – Chairperson, SADC Women in Mining; President, Women in Business Association (Botswana)
Celebrated for her continental leadership in uniting women across the SADC region and for strengthening platforms that elevate women’s role in mining and enterprise development in Botswana and Africa.
Hannah Wang’ombe – Patron, Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK)
Acknowledged for her mentorship and visionary support to women in Kenya’s energy and extractive sectors, serving as a pillar of inspiration for the next generation of leaders.
Madam Khosi Sibisi – Executive Chairperson, Women in Business South Africa
Recognized for her leadership in advancing women-led beneficiation and fair trade, while championing host community empowerment, livelihood restoration, and inclusive opportunities across South Africa’s mining regions.
Kundai Chikonzo Midzi – Zimbabwe ASM Women Miners Association (Zimbabwe)
Celebrated for her tireless advocacy for artisanal and small-scale women miners in Zimbabwe, ensuring their inclusion in national mining policies and value chains.
Ms. Patricia Gurubes – Chapter Coordinator, WiM-Africa National Youth Empowerment Namibia Chapter
Acknowledged for her dedication to youth empowerment, fostering leadership opportunities for young women in Namibia’s mining and energy sectors.
Ms. Editha Meling Leju – Executive Director, NWERO; National Coordinator, WiM-Africa South Sudan Chapter
Recognized for her courageous leadership in South Sudan, advancing women’s rights, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment through the mining sector.
Industry & Corporate Leaders
Mr. Samuel Sakhuta – Director General, Mining & Minerals Regulatory Authority, Malawi
Honored for his strong leadership in shaping Malawi’s mining governance framework and for advancing policies that support responsible mining and equitable community development.
Anand Deshmukh – Head of Safety, Health, Environment & Community, African Natural Resources & Mines
Recognized for his commitment to raising industry standards on safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, ensuring mining operations contribute positively to host communities.
Chris Masurenko – Managing Director, ECTerra PTY Ltd (Germany)
Acknowledged for his expertise in environmental management and sustainable mining solutions, providing international best practices that strengthen Africa’s transition to responsible mineral development.
Young Professionals & Technical Experts
Christelle Ntumba – Project Administrator, Glencore (DRC)
Celebrated for her advocacy in creating supportive workplaces for nursing mothers in the mining sector, ensuring that women balance family responsibilities with professional growth.
Nardos Worku – WiM-Africa Geosciences Professional; Chapter Leader, Ethiopia Chapter
Recognized for her leadership in advancing geoscience knowledge and for mobilizing Ethiopia’s WiM-Africa chapter to inspire and empower the next generation of women mining leaders.
Muchaneta Patience Jerahuni – Mineralogist, Green Foliage (Zimbabwe)
Acknowledged for her technical expertise in mineralogy and her dedication to mentoring young professionals, driving innovation and sustainability within Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Ms. Kobusingye Irene – Mining Engineer, Uganda
Honored for her contributions as a mining engineer, bringing technical excellence and inspiring more women to pursue engineering and leadership roles in Uganda’s extractive industries.
Mrs. Adelheid M. Awases – Advisory Board Member, WiM-Africa
Honored for her motherly role and exemplary mentorship, offering guidance that has shaped emerging leaders across Africa. Celebrated for her senior expertise in Gender Analysis, Rural Development, and Policy Engagement, she continues to inspire transformative action for women and mining communities, particularly in Namibia and beyond.
Mr. Anthony Azubuike – Mine Safety and Inclusivity Consultant, Director (rtd), Senate Committee on Solid Minerals
Recognized for his decades of service in shaping Nigeria’s solid minerals policy landscape, with a distinguished focus on mine safety, inclusivity, and sustainable practices that protect both workers and host communities.
Core Team supporting the Executive Director & WiM-Africa Leadership
Dr. Adeola Adewale – Deputy Executive Director, WiM-Africa; Chief Technical Officer, Richflood Group
Recognized for her technical excellence as an Environmental and Social Standards Specialist and GIS Analyst, with a strong academic background in Environmental Science and Management. She is celebrated for bringing research-driven solutions to mining and environmental challenges, and for her leadership as Deputy Executive Director of WiM-Africa, where she advances gender equity, sustainability, and community-focused impact across the continent.
Candice Naidoo – Managing Director, Kailash Mining Solutions (South Africa)
Honored as a 2024 WIM100 Global Inspirational Woman and member of the G100 Global Advisory Council on Sustainable Mining & ESG. She is celebrated not only for her leadership in mining solutions but also for her outstanding skill as a session moderator, bringing clarity, energy, and inclusivity to high-level discussions.
Dr. Antonia Nebo – Director, Operations & Secretariat Services, WiM-Africa
Recognized for her strategic leadership in coordinating WiM-Africa’s operations, facilitating the creation of national chapters, and ensuring seamless organizational effectiveness across the continent.
Maïmouna Traore – Chief Executive Officer, CVC Africa (Mali)
Recognized for her entrepreneurial leadership in civil works and metal fabrication services at Syama Gold Mine, and for her valued contributions as a French interpreter, ensuring inclusivity and engagement across multilingual audiences.
Boubacar Issa Traoré – Regional Representative, Francophone Africa; WiM-Africa (Mali)
Appreciated for his leadership within WiM-Africa’s Directorate of Policy, Legal & Institutional Affairs, and for his vital role as French interpreter during sessions, bridging language barriers and strengthening regional participation.
Bethelihem Emiru – Director, Strategy, Planning & Research, WiM-Africa
Celebrated for her exceptional role in planning, mobilizing country-level participation, and leading stakeholder engagement. She is acknowledged for her research-driven approach and drafting expertise, which have been central to the Action Plan’s success.
Chief Operations Officer, Richflood Group; Managing Director, Richflood Analytical Instruments; Male Ally for Inclusive African Mining
Recognized for his strategic leadership in driving growth and innovation at Richflood Group and Richflood Analytical Instruments. As a committed male ally, he champions inclusive mining across Africa, advocating for equity, collaboration, and opportunities that empower women and strengthen the continent’s mining ecosystem.
Helen Shamaiki – NextGen Women in Mining Program Coordinator & Special Assistant to the Executive Director, WiM-Africa
Celebrated as a dynamic mobilizer, researcher, and communicator, recognized for her tireless coordination of NextGen programs, stakeholder engagement, and impactful publicity that drives WiM-Africa’s visibility and results.
Kizito Opkala – Special Technical Assistant to the Executive Director (IT, Digital Systems, Infrastructure & Innovation), WiM-Africa
Acknowledged for his dedication to building and managing WiM-Africa’s digital backbone, driving systems innovation, and ensuring technology-enabled efficiency across the organization.