Zenzi Awases

President Association of Women in Mining in Africa

Zenzi is a Namibian geologist, governance specialist and executive advisor with 20 years’ experience spanning exploration, policy design and ESG-led value creation. She is Founder & Lead Consultant of EmpowerMine, President of the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA), and Co-Founder of the Women in Mining Association of Namibia (WiMAN).  Through these leadership roles, she has built influential platforms that advance women’s participation, strengthen leadership pipelines, and elevate Africa’s voice in global mining dialogue. She is also a published author, co-authoring a peer-reviewed article in Mineral Economics 2026 on the regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining and its role in supplying critical raw materials.  In recognition of her leadership and contribution to national development, Zenzi was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the Eagle, First Class, by the late President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Hage G. Geingob, in 2021. Zenzi is a sought-after speaker on leadership, governance, and the future of Africa’s mineral economy.