Zambia's mining sector, a significant contributor to the country's economy, has made history after appointing its first female CEO to head one of the biggest mining operations there.
According to a statement from Zambia’s presidential office, Mfikeyi Makayi will head up the copper unit in Zambia for KoBold Metals - a US-based company which uses artificial intelligence to identify battery metal deposits.
Zambia is Africa's second biggest producer of copper, which is in high demand with the global transition to a low-carbon economy and future transport needs.
Of her appointment, a proud Ms Makayi said: "It's quite a huge task and nerve-wrecking task but it's also an honour to serve this country." Her rise to the top of the organisation has been a 15-year journey that started out on the mines of the north-western province.
"It means a lot to people in the sector,” she said. “It's a sector that its pivotal to our economy - 70% of our exports is copper.
"It means a lot to myself personally, my family and the industry. It means that the industry has been opened to women." She went on to say that her appointment was a significant step in a sector that is traditionally male dominated.
Part of her efforts in the new role will be to bring more women on board, she stated before going on to say: "It's an ongoing strategy.
“There's always been a drive for more diversity, inclusion. We have it as a metric."
