Profiles of 5 African Pioneering Women Engineers in Mining

KEY POINTS

• Women make up just 12% of Africa’s mining workforce, highlighting deep-rooted gender disparities.
• Mentorship, scholarships, and training drive inclusivity, empowering women in mining engineering.
• Pioneering women engineers reshape mining, fostering a more diverse and inclusive African industry.

Africa’s mining industry, traditionally male-dominated, has long grappled with a lack of gender diversity, especially among engineering roles.

In recent years, however, there’s been a growing focus on fostering inclusivity in STEM, bringing in a wealth of perspectives that drive innovation and growth.

Gender disparity persists despite progress in mining

Despite the strides women have made in mining, significant challenges remain. Women represent only 12 percent of the mining workforce, a stark reminder of the industry’s deep-seated gender disparity.

Many face limited access to specialized training, entrenched stereotypes, and workplace biases that hinder their progress. Yet, within these challenges lie emerging opportunities that promise to reshape the future. Mentorship programs are increasingly available, providing young women with guidance and role models who have navigated the industry’s hurdles.

Empowering women engineers: bridging the STEM gap

Scholarships and targeted training initiatives are helping bridge the skills gap, making STEM education more accessible for aspiring female engineers.

Industry partnerships, too, are beginning to foster an inclusive environment, encouraging organizations to collaborate on initiatives that champion gender diversity. Through these efforts, the mining sector is slowly evolving, offering hope for a more equitable, inclusive landscape where women can thrive.

Today, we celebrate five pioneering African women engineers who are breaking down barriers in mining, shaping the industry, and inspiring future generations.

These trailblazing female engineers are reshaping Africa’s mining industry and paving the way for future generations. Their achievements highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion, signaling a promising future for African women in mining and engineering.

1. Patricia Makhesha (South Africa)

Patricia Makhesha is not only a distinguished mining engineer but also a visionary executive who has reshaped South Africa’s mining landscape.
Breaking barriers, she made history as the country’s first female mine manager, a role that paved the way for countless

Patricia Makhesha

 women aspiring to leadership in mining—a field once closed to them. Her groundbreaking journey, marked by resilience and an unwavering commitment to equality, has transformed her into a powerful advocate for women in STEM.

Recognizing her exceptional contributions, Makhesha received the esteemed Women in Mining Award, celebrating her impact as a trailblazer who has opened doors and inspired the next generation of women leaders in mining.

2. Freda Yawson (Ghana)

Freda Yawson, a distinguished environmental engineer and consultant, is transforming the mining industry through her pioneering approach to sustainability.
With a deep commitment to balancing industrial progress and environmental stewardship, Yawson has developed innovative, sustainable mining practices that have gained international acclaim.

Her work prioritizes eco-friendly methods, reducing the ecological footprint of mining operations while promoting resource efficiency. This groundbreaking approach earned her recognition from the International Association of Impact Assessment, an honor that underscores her influence in the field.
Driven by her vision of a sustainable future, Yawson stands as a beacon for environmentally conscious engineering, inspiring both current and future leaders in mining.  

3. Tyseer Aboulnasr (Egypt)

Tyseer Aboulnasr is an accomplished Egyptian electrical engineer. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cairo University, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.

Aboulnasr previously held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s School of Engineering. Additionally, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa.  

4. Najla Bouden (Tunisia)

Najla Bouden is a Tunisian geoscientist and the current Prime Minister of Tunisia. She earned her Ph.D. in geological engineering from École des Mines de Paris.
Appointed by the president, she took office in October 11, 2021, becoming the first woman to serve as a prime

Najla Bouden

minister in the Arab world.          

5. Akissa Bahri (Tunisia)

Akissa Bahri is a Tunisian agricultural engineer and former professor at the National Agricultural Institute of Tunisia. She earned her engineering doctorate from the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse and completed her Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering at Lund University in Sweden.

Akissa Bahri