Our 30 Future Leaders

Dineo Sefemo

Geologist and Mineral Accounts Officer (Mineral Economist) Botswana

Dineo Florence Sefemo holds a Master’s degree in Mineral Economics that focused on Mine Project Finance or Mineral Resource Optimisation. She obtained her first degree in Geology.

She holds experience form mine exploration, mineral resource evaluation to Mineral Accounting. She currently works for Botswana Geoscience Institute engaged on a World Bank initiated project that’s intended to deduce recommendations to augment Botswana Mineral Policy form the Mineral Account Project. It reports on all trends of all mined mineral commodities in Botswana highlighting more on Sustainability and SDG goals, diversification, mineral potential, Botswana life of mines, mineral rents and economic values. Over the ten years’ experience that Dineo holds, she has been trained in numerous countries including Japan, USA, Australia and South Africa obtaining a number of certification mainly in Geology , Mining, Mineral and Energy Economics. She has been currently been involved with the Mineral Affairs Division on deducing a Mineral Exploration, Exploitation ,Mineral Development, Beneficiation and value chain strategy that’s intended to unlock further Botswana mineral potential and its value addition in the entire mining value chain.

Kitso Phiri

Executive Secretary, Botswana Mine Workers Union Botswana

Kitso Phillip Phiri is the Executive Secretary of the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU), the only collective bargaining agent for 100% of Botswana’s mining workforce. In this role, he interfaces with mining companies and investors, government and development partners on policies and regulatory matters impacting labour economics in Botswana’s mining industry. Additionally, his role entails legal and policy advisory to the Union leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement and strategy implementation.

Mr Phiri has national and regional experience fostering corporate compliance and social accountability. He has a stellar record working on various aspects of policy with a special focus on decent work, resource governance and sustainable development.

He has held various board positions including in the YALI Regional Leadership Centre Southern Africa (YALI RLC-SA) Board, Committee on Mining, Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Sector under the Human Resources Development Council and Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD).

Mr Phiri holds a bachelors degree in law from the University of Botswana, Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management from Botswana Accountancy College and has completed various international leadership training programmes including Leaders in Extractives and African Development Program (UCT), Mandela Washington Fellowship (UVA), Obama Leaders Africa (ALA).

Doris Okoli

Communication & Corporate Affairs Coordinator – West Africa, Allied Gold Corporation Côte d’Ivoire

Communications & Corporate Affairs Coordinator – West Africa, Allied Gold group

Doris Okoli is a seasoned communication and public relations expert who holds a Masters' degree in Publicity and Marketing, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and is an alumnus of MDE Business School (affiliated to IESE Business School, Barcelona). In 2023, she was selected for the Leaders in Extractive and African Development (LEAD) Programme of the University of Cape Town.

She totals 15 years in the mining industry. During her career, Doris contributed to set up and develop the Communication’s department of mining giant, Newcrest Mining Limited, in Côte d’Ivoire. She currently occupies the role of Communication & Corporate Affairs Coordinator – West Africa, for the TSE listed gold miner, Allied Gold Corporation.

Her portfolio covers Public Relations, Strategic and Corporate Communication, CSR, brand management, and Corporate Secretary. She is an active member of Women In Mining Côte d’Ivoire, and He for She Mines Côte d’Ivoire, which are avenues for her to share her mining experience with young girls in secondary and tertiary education, encouraging them to explore careers in the mining sector.

The passion of Doris for volunteering led her to start in 2015 the non-profit ‘Offrir Son Anniv’ (Offer your birthday) that uses birthdays to raise donations to help the less privileged.

Mancoba Trevor Tsabedze

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) officer and TB in the mining sector (TIMS) coordinator Eswatini

I am a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer working in the Ministry of Health under the National TB Programme. I have worked as an IT/Data Officer for Eswatini Occupational Health Service Centre in the TIMS Project where I was mainly focusing on Monitoring and Evaluation of mineworkers and ex-mine worker’s data.

I am also a TB in the Mining Sector (TIMS) Coordinator; my main responsibility is oversight on all TIMS projects in Eswatini. My responsibilities are to organize and facilitate in-country multi-sectorial TIMS Technical Working Group (TWG) quarterly meetings where we discuss TIMS issues pertaining the TIMS Key Populations (mineworkers, ex-mine workers, their family and people living in mining communities). I am also Eswatini’s TIMS contact person for regional partners (Eastern, Central, Southern Africa-Health Community (ECSA-HC), SADC, Sthands Consultancy, etc.) I also oversee TIMS Cross-Border Referral System (CBRS) in-country technical support to health facilities. I was recently a Principal Investigator, in-country coordinator, data collector, team leader for the TIMS Community, Rights & Gender (CRG) Assessment focusing on the TIMS key population. I am a Ministry of Health liaison with The Tshiamiso Trust Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs) Project in Eswatini responsible for compensation of mineworkers and ex-mine workers. I am also a liaison for the NTCP with Eswatini Occupational Health Service Centres (OHSCs) where I was also a compensation administrator for occupational lung diseases and injuries, where we also do medical examinations of the TIMS Key population.

Jerry Mensah-Pah

Board Chairman: Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS) Ghana

Jerry Detse Mensah-Pah is a seasoned activist with over 16 years of experience in the civil society space. He currently chairs the Board of Directors of the Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS) based in Ghana, where he has successfully led numerous projects to empower mining communities with alternative livelihood skills and provided capacity for community members affected by mining to engage Mining Companies using a rights-based approach.

Jerry holds a Certificate in Public Administration and Journalism, a Diploma in Labour Studies, a Bachelor of Arts (Social Behaviour and Conflict Management), a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management, and a Master of Art in Labour Policies and Globalisation.

Mr. Mensah-Pah is an alumnus of the Emerging Leaders in Africa Mining Programme and has attended and participated in many conferences internationally and nationally.

His expertise includes strategic planning, community entry, grassroots engagements, policy development, communication, and meeting facilitation.

In his free time, Jerry enjoys, cooking, reading, and volunteering at the Community Based Organisation in Mentoring and Coaching teenagers.

Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his professional experience and accomplishments.

Chimwemwe Nelson

Principal Inspector of Mines, Ministry of Mining, Malawi Malawi

Chimwemwe is primarily responsible for evaluating the conformity of mining operations with requirements on safety, health, and the environment. He has worked on national mining policies, legislation, development agreements, and standards as well as project implementation and management. Chimwemwe holds a postgraduate diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management from the Agricultural University of Iceland, a master’s degree in Sustainable Resources Engineering from Hokkaido University in Japan and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and technology from the Malawi Polytechnic. He is interested in research and the development of strategies on sustainability in mining and the role of earth resources to contribute to thriving societies particularly in Africa.

Helao Shivolo

Senior Geoscientist Namibia

I am a geoscientist registered with the Geoscience Council of Namibia as well as a member of the Geological Society of Namibia with over 10 years of experience in the Public and Private Sectors. My career began in the private sector, in mineral exploration, and shifted to the public sector, into policy and regulation with the Ministry of Mines and Energy. During my 10 years working in the Mining Directorate of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, I was involved in providing geological and geotechnical support services to small-scale miners, assisting with mineral rights applications, facilitating development by optimizing support to small-scale miners through cooperation with other government and private agencies and development partners as well as mineral investment promotion. Furthermore, I got involved in policy development and stakeholder relations as my experience in the industry increased. Over the same period, I have concurrently founded, developed, and managed businesses, businesses ranging from Carbon Credits Trading, Smart Agriculture to Heavy Mining Equipment. I am currently a full-time entrepreneur in the Agriculture, Energy, and Mining sectors.

Helmi Ipinge

Geologist - Geological Survey of Namibia Namibia

A geologist currently working at the Geological Survey of Namibia under the Ministry of Mines and Energy. My expertise lies in environmental monitoring of active mines and risk assessment of abandoned mining sites, ensuring sustainable mining practices. Previously, worked in mineral economics, managing monthly production, sales, and export statistics for semi-precious stones and industrial minerals in Namibia. My experience also includes working with mineral licensing, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of regulatory processes. With a commitment to responsible mining, I am dedicated to contributing to the sustainable development of Namibia's mineral resources and minimizing environmental impact.

Sizwe Phakathi

Executive Safety - Impala Platinum South Africa

Dr Sizwe Phakathi is Executive Safety at Impala Platinum Rustenburg Operations. He was previously Head of Safety and Sustainable Development at Minerals Council South Africa and an Employer Convener on the Board of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) of South Africa. He is a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and at the University of Johannesburg. He is an alumnus of the Emerging Leaders in African Mining (ELAM) Programme coordinated by the Minerals and Energy for Development Alliance (MEfDA) at the University Western Australia, Perth in partnership with the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr Phakathi obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Oxford, England and his Masters Degree (with distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. For his doctoral research, he lived in the mine hostel and went underground with mineworkers for a full production shift over an extended period of time investigating the influence of organisational, economic, human, social and cultural factors on the safety, health and productivity of mineworkers. Dr Phakathi is the author of the book titled, “Production, Safety and Teamwork in a Deep-Level Mining Workplace: Perspectives from the Rock-Face”, published in 2018 by Emerald Publishing in the United Kingdom.

Dr Phakathi is the recipient of a number of academic and scholarship awards including the Commonwealth Scholarship Award and Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship Award for his doctoral research studies at the University of Oxford. In 2014, Dr Phakathi’s PhD published research paper titled “Getting On and Getting By: The Gold Miners’ Informal Work Practice of Making a Plan (Planisa)”, was awarded the Emerald Literati Award of Excellence for being chosen as the “Most Outstanding Journal Paper” by the Editorial Team of the Journal of Organizational Ethnography. While at Oxford, Dr Phakathi’s doctoral thesis research paper was awarded the annual Ngo Future of Work Prize at Oxford University’s Green Templeton College. This prestigious Prize is awarded to an aspiring researcher who has contributed significantly to the growing body of knowledge enabling people to understand the future of work. This prize is open to all disciplines and work-related research. In 2003, Dr Phakathi’s published research paper titled “Self-Directed Work Teams in a Post-Apartheid Gold Mine” was selected as the “Most Outstanding Journal Paper” by the Editorial Team of the Journal of Workplace Learning. He was subsequently awarded the Emerald Literati Award of Excellence at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, England.

Dr Phakathi has strategically led, coordinated and facilitated the implementation of various safety programmes, projects and initiatives with Minerals Council South Africa and tripartite stakeholders from organised business, government and organised labour.

Youhanes Magok

Expert on Mineral Resources Development, African Union Commission South Sudan

Eng. John Youhanes Magok is an Expert on Mineral Resources Development who works for the African Union Commission (Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals). Part of his role as an Expert on Mineral Resources Development is supporting the Department in the implementation of the African Union Commodity Strategy, a flagship project of Agenda 2063. He previously worked as a Programme Officer and Junior Mining Policy Officer within the same Department. Throughout his employment, he contributed to the implementation of continental strategies, initiatives, and programs including supporting the popularization of the Africa Mining Vision, coordinating the drafting of the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Formalization Strategy; supporting the drafting of the AU Minerals Model Law. He also supported the interim operationalization of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), a Specialized Agency of the African Union. Additionally, through youth-led entities, he is advocating for the domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by Women and Youth in cross-border trade and further training youth on the engagement and contribution to the AfCFTA processes. Youhanes is the founder and Executive Director of the Nile Youth Development Actions (NYDA), a grassroots youth-led organization focusing on advancing socio-economic development in the Nile Basin Region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering and a Master of Science in Environment and Climate Change Management.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-youhanes-magok-064423114/

Twitter(x): https://twitter.com/YouhanesMagok

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lmagok1

Noel Shiyo

Senior Manager – Energy & Natural Resources (East Africa) Tanzania

Noel is a Senior Manager at Grant Thornton Advisory East Africa Limited, managing the Energy and Natural Resources practice at the firm. A multi-discipline and diverse professional who combines knowledge and experiences in law, social sciences, investment, public policy and business management with strong exposure from a myriad of cultures into general corporate law practice with a special interest in energy and natural resources (legal, regulatory and fiscal frameworks, local content issues, upstream host government contracts and associated energy infrastructure and financing needs); Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), human capital management, business strategy and investment advisory services.

Professional experience

Noel has over 13 years’ experience in areas spanning across technology, training, consultancies and advisory service firms, mining, oil and gas, banking/financial and engineering/construction, sports and entertainment sectors in Tanzania (both mainland and Zanzibar) having regularly advised a number of mining companies and previously worked in an East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, a subsidiary of an international commercial bank and a top tier engineering consultancy firm in the country. Noel has had high profile assignments with the government of Tanzania through its national Oil Company (TPDC) and the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) advising on the country wide and multi-sectoral Local Content Implementation Strategy. Noel has had stints with tier one development partners, the likes of GIZ E4D program on their flagship Enterprise Development program and the IFC/World Bank - CMA with reform opportunities in Zanzibar Tourism sector.

Noel’s Local Content experience can be traced from his 2 years stint with East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project where he kept the office of a Local Content Coordinator, where he among other things helped develop and shape project’s local content strategy and plan both in Tanzania and Uganda, produced a local content guideline for contractors, led a multi-stakeholder team composed of government, private sector and development partners across all eight regions where the pipeline would pass, spearheaded curricular changes with higher education and vocational institutes with the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), was part of a consultative team that worked with regulators (EWURA & PURA) in coming up with Common Qualification System (CQS), while still at EACOP, contributed to the development of an Industrial Baseline Survey that aimed at informing the project on different levels, various local industries were able to supply or work in an oil and gas undertaking.

Apart from his work at EACOP, Noel has advised and prepared Local Content plans for a number of players in the Mining sector. Noel has also done publications on the sector with leading journals e.g., Getting the Deal Through (GTDT), interviews with BBC on the opening of refinery in Tanzania and consequential economic impact on the local economy. Noel was part of the consultancy on preparation of the National Local Content Implementation Strategy for National Economic Empowerment Council that aimed at establishing Local Content principles into five priority sectors (Agriculture, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Construction and Transportation).

Professional Association

Tanganyika Law Society (TLS)
East Africa Law Society (EALS)
International Bar Association (IBA)
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
Tanzania Institute of Arbitrators (TIArb)
Institute of Directors Tanzania (IoDT)
Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA) Tanzania
Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) UK
Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) – 2015
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

Sectorial experience

Oil and Gas
Mining
Hospitality
Service industry
Technology
Sports and Entertainment
Manufacturing

Chris Musiime

Programs Director, Africa Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy (ACEMP) Uganda

Chris holds a BA in Environmental Management from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management from the Uganda Management Institute. He has attended the Mining and Regional Development Short Course at the University of Western Australia in Perth, as well as the Extractives Governance and Sustainable Development Course at the University of Columbia, New York. He has also attended several other courses related to extractives sector governance by the International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC), Minerals and Energy for Development Alliance (MEFDA) and World Bank. He is a 2014 Fellow of the Mandela Washington Young African Leaders Initiative and an alumnus of the 2020 Cohort of the Leaders in Extractive and African Development (LEAD) Program of the University of Cape Town.

Chris has been a central player in civil society efforts advocating for a sustainably managed extractives sector in Uganda for more than ten years, initially as a Manager of the Oil Governance Project at ActionAid Uganda and more recently as Programs Director at Africa Centre for Energy and Mineral Policy (ACEMP).

He has led and participated in several consultancy projects in the mining sector, including developing a Formalisation and Business Acceleration Strategy for the Development Minerals Sector (UNDP 2020); Undertaking Analysis and Development of Knowledge Products for the Development Minerals Sector In Uganda (UNDP 2018); Development of a National Overview of the Artisanal and Small scale Gold Mining Sector in Uganda (NEMA 2018-19); Development of a National Action Plan for the Management of Mercury in the Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining Sector in Uganda (NEMA 2019); and Reviewing the Artisanal and Small-scale Management Strategy in Uganda (MEMD 2019). He was recently central in setting up the first ever Biometric Registry of Artisanal & Small-Scale Miners for the Government of Uganda.

Chris is currently involved in setting up the East Africa Institute for Sustainable Mining, an initiative that seeks to improve the mining and business practices of informal Artisanal and Small-scale Miners through formal Business Technical Vocational Education.

Augustine Mubanga

Director Operations - Tahila Engineering Zambia

Augustine is a visionary leader, a Business and Financial Consultant and a Mining Stakeholder. With over 20 years in the Mining sector, Augustine’s expertise lies in Business Management and Finance also fostering cross Functional collaboration in delivering results in a competitive environment. He is adept at navigating complexes in order to deliver value by aligning business goals with cutting –edge solutions. Augustine is a catalyst for progress continuously pushing boundaries and inspiring Teams to excel. He is a critical thinker and an addict to success.

Augustine developed the concept paper on the establishment of the Mineral Authority commission in Zambia at a time he was President for Mine Suppliers and Contractors, He also lobbed and pushed for the Local Content Law in the mining sector.

He holds the following qualifications.

Master’s in Business Administration- University Of Lusaka,
Bachelors of Business Administration- Cavendish University
Postgraduate Diploma in Lecturing and Teaching Methodology- University Of Lusaka,
Diploma In Accounts.- Zambia Institute of Accountants
Diploma Business management and Administration- British College of Professional Management.
Currently studying -: Masters of Finance and Investment- London School of Business and Finance

ACHIEVEMENTS and AWARDS

2012-Local SME procurement and Supplier Development – (South Africa & Australia) Australian Award.

2013- Developing MSME Supplier for the Mining, Oil and Gas Sector- (International Mining for

Development Centre) Ghana

2014- Emerging Leaders in African Mining Course- (International Mining for Development centre)

Cape Town -South Africa

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

2012 -2021 President – Organisation: Mine Suppliers and Contractors-Zambia

2015-to date : Vice-Chairman

Organisation- Zambia Mining for Development-Alumni

Mukupa Nsendukula

Policy Officer – Tax and Natural Resource Governance, Tax Justice Network Africa Zambia

Mukupa is a Development Professional currently leading the Tax and Natural Resource Governance work at Tax Justice Network Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Her expertise lies in tax policy and natural resource governance issues, focusing on the extractive industries (mining, oil, and gas), climate justice, climate finance and the energy transition. She has eight (8) years’ experience in program development, management, and implementation with proven capacity in revenue mobilisation and accountability, policy analysis and influencing, campaigning, and civil society institutional strengthening. Mukupa also has extensive experience working with networks/alliances and government officials across Africa on tax and extractive industries evidence-based advocacy. She has authored and co-authored several publications of natural resource governance and climate change in Africa. She holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and a Master of Business Administration (Strategy) from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom. Mukupa is pursuing a Master of Science in Global Energy and Climate Policy at SOAS – University of London.