The Women in Mining Association of Namibia (WiMAN) has officially launched the WiMAN Mentoring Programme, aimed at accelerating the advancement of women into leadership roles within Namibia’s mining sector.
The programme, developed in partnership with Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC), is supported by initial seed funding from the mining company.
CCC has also made its Peer Pioneers online platform available to WiMAN for the first three years, providing the digital infrastructure for the mentorship and coaching initiative.
Speaking at the launch, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, urged mining companies to actively create opportunities for women-owned businesses.
“Integrating women into the mining supply chain opens avenues for empowerment and innovation,” Nangombe said. “This is because we know that women bring unique and diverse perspectives and solutions to complex challenges, from environmental sustainability to community engagement.”
Nangombe also called on financial institutions and the wider mining industry to establish support mechanisms specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs, enabling their meaningful participation in the sector.
He emphasised that the low number of women employed across various industries is not due to a lack of talent or ambition, but rather limited access and persistent barriers rooted in outdated norms.
The WiMAN Mentoring Programme is the first initiative of its kind in Namibia and across Africa, providing mentorship opportunities not only to women in Namibia but also to those in the diaspora and internationally.
The programme will cater to a broad spectrum of women in the sector, including seasoned professionals, recent graduates, and entrepreneurs aspiring to move into leadership positions. It will connect early-career women with experienced mentors for practical coaching, leadership development, and peer support. The structure is intended to be self-sustaining, with mentees expected to become mentors in the future.
CCC’s interim Chief Operating Officer, Yolande Stegmann, said the company was proud to support the programme with both funding and the Peer Pioneers platform.
“It’s not just about skills, it’s about building real networks and helping women feel like they belong in an industry where they’ve been overlooked for too long,” Stegmann said.
“If we want more women in mining, we need to create the right conditions—making the industry more inclusive and giving them the tools to succeed in a space that has historically excluded them.”
WiMAN said the programme was shaped through extensive consultations across the mining industry, including input from young professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and mining employers, to ensure it addresses real workplace needs and challenges.
