Saudi Gazette

MOVING from the world of fashion and modeling into much harder and more challenging mining sector took her on a long journey of education and determination. But despite the challenges Tiguidanke Camara, founder and chairman of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) and Camara Diamond & Gold Trading Network (CDGTN), a company involved in mostly mining and agriculture operations in West Africa, is the one of the few women owning mining companies in Africa. CDGTN has its subsidiary in Guinea.

“I am one of the few women owning mining companies in Africa and I am the only who owns a mining company in West Africa. I am really happy to be part of the First Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia,” she told Saudi Gazette on the sidelines of the international conference First Investment Initiative in Riyadh.

“In Africa, we need to open the door for the ones that are coming. We are here to pave the way for our future generation including females,” she added.

“It was never that easy,” was Camara’s quip when asked how she reached the top in a male-dominated sector such as mining. “It was never that easy. It took me a long time to become acquainted with the nitty-gritty of mining to prove myself. And then I became an example of success to other women. This is my way to encourage women to enter the mining sector. Africa has the biggest number of female entrepreneurs in the world. The mining sector has very few women in the entire continent and I am the only one in West Africa. I want to increase the number of females being involved in this sector,” she said.

In Africa, there are challenges women have to face just like women in other societies. “However, African women know how to cope with these challenges. Women are the backbone of our society. The challenges women face in business ventures are more about raising funds, and that is considered a common obstacle that women face worldwide,” she added.

She emphasized that governments and different organizations have ongoing plans to reduce illiteracy among women in Africa. “Lots of African women are well educated and business owners in Africa. They work to positively impact the society. My role is to contribute to ensure that women are given safe havens in the mining sector. People across the globe still doubt women’s capabilities. But women have proven their mettle in everything. What I can say is that there is no limit for women’s success.”

When asked whether or not she prefers to hire only women in her mining sector company, she commented: “I give equal opportunities for the both genders to work and succeed in this sector. It is about qualifications and of what I can bring to the table. I do not hire people based on gender because I am a human being. I want people to see each other for their intellect, qualifications, capabilities, and contributions, not based on gender.”

“Women in general should not put limits for what we can add to the world. It is about what you want to do and you deliver it in a highly professional way with constant passion,” she concluded.