African women in engineering

Globally, shoddies be largely under-represented for STEM-related fields insyd; dis under-representation be especially prevalent for Africa insyd wer shoddies dey represent less than 20% of de workforce for dese fields insyd. African shoddies for engineering den STEM related fields insyd be more susceptible to discrimination wey edey devalue you for African countries insyd. Regardless of dis lack of representation for STEM-related work insyd, chaw important female engineers from across de continent dey. Furthermore, sam number of organizations within den out of Africa dey work towards say dem go minimize de disparity within de workforce.

## Notable African shoddies for engineering insyd

### Northern Africa

Tyseer Aboulnasr be sam Egyptian electrical engineer. She receive ein bachelor's degree from Cairo University den ein master's den Ph.D. from Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. Na she formerly be de Dean of de Faculty of Applied Sciences for de University of British Columbia School of Engineering, as well as de Dean of de Faculty of Engineering for de University of Ottawa.

Akissa Bahri be sam Tunisian agricultural engineer den previously professor for de National Agricultural Institute of Tunisia. She study for National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse get ein engineering doctorate, wey she obtain ein Ph.D. from Lund University for Sweden for Water Resources Engineering insyd.

Najla Bouden be sam Tunisian geoscientist den current Prime Minister of Tunisia. She get ein Ph.D. for geological engineering insyd from *École des Mines de Paris*. De presido name am prime minister, wey she take office for October 11, 2021, wey she cam turn de first woman wey be prime minister for de Arab World insyd.

Na Zeinab Elobeid Yousif be Sudanese aircraft engineer. She obtain ein master's degree for aeronautical engineering insyd from Kingston University for 1995. Na she be de first shoddie wey receive dis degree.
Awatef Hamed be sam Egyptian aerospace engineer. She currently be researcher for University of Cincinnati, wey she dey study jet-engine technology. Dr. Hamed be de first shoddie wey head sam college aerospace department. She start as de head of de University of Cincinnati dema Aerospace Systems School for 2001 after she study for der for 1968. She receive international recognition for ein research examining turbine fan blades den dema erosion secof air particles. She receive ova 25 million dollars for funding plus Ohio Research Scholar awards for 2008 insyd.

### Eastern Africa

Nasra Agil be sam Somali-Canadian civil engineer. She obtain sam bachelor's degree for civil engineering insyd from Ryerson University, wey edey mark one of de first recorded instances of sam shoddie of Somali descent wey dey get sam degree for engineering insyd for Canada.

Dr. Gertrude Mwangala Akapelwa be sam Zambian IBM Systems Engineer. She obtain bachelor's degree for mathematics den education insyd from de University of Zambia, sam master's degree for public administration insyd from Harvard University, den sam doctorate for higher education insyd from de University of Liverpool. She help establish wey she currently dey serve as Vice-Chancellor give Victoria Falls University of Technology.

Winnie Byanyima be sam Ugandan aeronautical engineer. She get ein bachelor's degree for aeronautical engineering insyd from de University of Manchester. She cam turn de first Ugandan shoddie wey get sam degree for dis field insyd; she receive sam master's degree for mechanical engineering insyd from Cranfield University. She currently dey serve as de executive director give UNAIDS after dem appoint for 2019 insyd.

Natalie Payida Jabangwe be sam Zimbabwean computer engineer. She get bachelor's degree for computer engineering insyd from Middlesex University den sam master's degree for business administration insyd from Imperial College London. Sam French institute name am as one of de “100 Africa Economic Leaders for Tomorrow” for 2018 insyd.

Germaine Kamayirese be sam Rwandan electromechanical engineer. She get bachelor's degree for electrical mechanical engineering insyd from de Kigali Institute of Science den Technology wey  KIST den Coventry University award am plus master's for communications management insyd. For 2014 insyd, dem appoint am as Minister of State for Infrastructure for Energy, Water, den Sanitation; she manage sanitation efforts, power production, den oda aspects of Rwanda ein infrastructure.

Frannie Léautier be sam Tanzanian civil engineer. She get ein bachelor's degree for civil engineering from de University of Dar es Salaam, ein master's for transportation insyd, den ein Ph.D. for Civil Engineering insyd from de Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From de early 90s go de late 2000s, she work give World Bank wey na she dey take charge of de World Bank Institute for de last six years insyd.

Nzambi Matee be sam Kenyan civil engineer. She get ein bachelor's degree for applied physics insyd for Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture den Technology. For 2017 insyd, she shon ein job as data analyst wey she form Gjenge Makers, wey dey focus for turning difficulty say you go recycle plastics go bricks wey be stronger pass concrete.

Dr. Marie Chantal Cyulinyana currently dey hold de position of Science den Technology Foresight Analyst for Rwanda National Council for Science den Technology (NCST). For dis role insyd, she dey analyze current trends den future needs for Science den Technology (S&T) insyd wey edey provide policy recommendations for de field insyd. Before she join NCST, Dr. Cyulinyana serve as sam Physics lecturer for de University of Rwanda (UR) College of Science den Technology (UR-CST) from 2011 go 2021. She dey remain affiliated plus UR-CST as sam honorary lecturer for de Physics Department insyd.

Tenele Habangaan be sam young shoddie wey get strong interest for sustainable energy, power systems management, reliability, energy sector reform, den regulation den compliance insyd. She be passionate about say she go empower shoddies den youth so say dem go address community challenges through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, den Mathematics) den say dem go leverage STEAM for sustainable socio-economic development. 

Tenele get Bachelor of Science degree for Electrical Engineering insyd from de University of Cape Town wey she currently dey pursue ein Master of Science for Power Systems Management insyd for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She dey serve as de System Operations Planning & Compliance Engineer for Eswatini Electricity Company. Additionally, Tenele dey chair de Technical Committee (TC36) wey be responsible say ego review electricity supply industry standards for Eswatini wey she be member of de Grid Code Review Panel.

As 2019 alumna of de International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) wey dey focus for U.S. Energy Policy: Security, Independence, Innovation top, Tenele gain valuable insights for global energy policy insyd. She sana demonstrate ein leadership by say she go speak den moderate for various events wey she dey highlight de pivotal role of shoddies for STEM den de economy insyd, wey dey include engagements for de 51st Edition of de Eswatini International Trade Fair (2019), IEEE virtual events for 2021 den 2022, den WomEng Eswatini events insyd.

### Central Africa
Therese Izay-Kirongozi be sam Congolese industrial engineer. She study for de Higher Institute of Applied Techniques. She be best known as de creator of humanoid traffic robots wey dey aid plus traffic regulation for Kinshasa, de capital of de Democratic Republic of de Congo.

Dr. Ngalula Mubenga be Congolese electrical engineer. She get ein bachelor's, master's, den doctoral degrees for electrical engineering from de University of Toledo. For 2017 insyd, president of de Democratic Republic of de Congo appoint am as member of de board of directors give decountry ein national electric utility company, *Société Nationale d'Électricité*.

Mbu Waindim be Cameroonian shoddie wey get ein advanced level certificate from Saker Baptist College. She sana earn bachelor's degree for aerospace engineering den mathematical science insyd for 2012. Afta, she get ein master's den Ph.D. from Ohio State University for aerospace engineering insyd wey she cam turn de first Cameroonian shoddie wey do do. She work for NASA den for United States Airforce. 

### Southern Africa
Veliswa Boya be one of South Africa ein first cloud engineers. She dey serve as de senior developer advocate den developer relations lead give Sub-Saharan sector of Africa for Amazon Web Services. She dey work plus wey she dey target developers for sub-Saharan Africa region insyd - so say she go help de area develop chaw engineers. Boya ein background stems from various areas such as engineering, architecture, consulting, den analyzing. She rep ein first Associate level (Solution Architect) wey she pass sam second Associate level Developer award. She receive de opportunity as Standard Bank partner plus AWS, wey edey allow Boya make she help plus everytin wey be cloud, wey dey include de strategies, migration planning, den cloud architecture design.

Bavelile Hlongwa practice chemical engineering for South Africa insyd wey she cam turn Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources den Energy for 2019 insyd. In addition to ein engineering career, na she be active for politics insyd as member of de African National Congress. She cam turn member of de National Assembly of South Africa for 2019 wey she continue ein service till ein death later dat year.

Hilary Kahn (1943-2007). Dem born am wey grow for South Africa but she move go Newcastle wey dey England go start ein university education, initially for classics insyd but graduate for 1965 for computing insyd, from de University of Newcastle. She learn say she go work plus de KDF 9 computer den ALGOL wey she later work give Manchester University for COBOL den computer-aided design den software engineering insyd, wey she continue do for de rest of ein career insyd, wey elead go ein involvement insyd plus de design of de Manchester MU5 computer system. Kahn head chaw research projects for computer-aided design den information modeling, wey she die for 2007 insyd.

Dem born Naadiya Moosajee for South Africa for 1984 insyd wey she earn ein bachelor's degree for Civil Engineering insyd den master's degree for Transportation Engineering insyd from de University of Cape Town. She later study for University of Edinburgh, wey earn am master's degree for business administration insyd. Early for ein career insyd, dem hire am say make she coordinate transportation give VIP den Media members for de 2010 FIFA World Cup. Youth Action Network appoint am as global leadership fellow wey she spend de next few years as Pegasys Strategy den Development consultant. For 2016 insyd, she co-found WomHub, sam innovative company wey dey support high-growth female founders for STEM insyd through demma imagineering labs, co-working space, and fund. WomHub contributes to a more inclusive technological future by advancing AI and Cyber Security. Dat same year, she co-fund Turkish Treasures, wey dey own chaw high-end Turkish restaurants for Cape Town. Also, for 2016 insyd, she start ein role for World Economic Forum as Global Shaper.

Donna Auguste be sam African entrepreneur, philanthropist, den computer scientist. Na she be de founder of Freshwater Software for 1996 insyd, sam company wey provide tools wey help dem enhance demma presence for Internet top. Na she be de CEO of de company till she sell Freshwater for 2000 insyd. She study for University of California wey dey Berkeley wey she earn sam bachelor's degree for electrical engineering den computer science insyd. She cam turn de first African American shoddie for de PhD program insyd for Carnegie Mellon University. Auguste get sam background for computer science wey get technologies related careers, as well as philanthropic. She form Leave a Little Room foundation, wey dey provide housing, electricity, den vaccinations give low-income families around de world.

### Western Africa
Dem born Mila Aziablé for Togo wey she be de youngest minister of de new government. Dem accept am for de University of Lomé, de national university for engineering. Dem award am sam scholarship for ein academic excellence, wey lead am go study for *École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Metz.* There, she earn ein degree for mechanical engineering insyd. She later go study gas engineering for *Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris*. For 2018 insyd, she start dey study for Paris Institute of Political Studies wey she get master's degree for development den management policies insyd.

Ndèye Tické Ndiaye Diop be sam Senegalese engineer den politician. Ein engineering background dey center around de technology wey dem dey use for fisheries insyd. Dis enable am start ein career as de Secretary-General give de Ministry of Fisheries wey she continue as de head of de Senegal National Agency for Maritime Affairs. She currently be de Minister of Digital Economy den Telecommunication for Senegal den spokeswoman for de government. Dem award Diop, de Icone award for 2016 insyd for ein contributions as sam accomplished shoddie for Senegal insyd.

Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, Niger ein first lady, be sam Nigerian chemical engineer den backer of healthcare. She be one of de first Nigerian shoddies wey chase de scientific engineering field. She get degree for mineral exploration den development insyd from de National School of Geology wey she get ein master's for chemistry insyd from Abdou Moumouni University.

Ayorkor Korsah be sam Ghanaian professor of computer science den robotics for Ashesi University. She get ein bachelor's degrees for engineering den computer science from Dartmouth College den ein Ph.D. for robotics den artificial intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University. She be de co-founder of de African Robotics Network (AFRON) wey dey offer sam "$10 Robot Design” challenge. Plus members from 25 countries across Africa, AFRON's mission be say ego promote collaborations wey dey relate plus robotics education den research for de continent insyd.

Funke Opeke be sam Nigerian-born electrical engineer wey get bachelor's den master's degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University den Columbia University, respectively. Upon graduation, she work give Verizon Communications for de Information den Communications technology segment insyd. Opeke ein primary engineering contribution give Nigeria dey find OneMain Cable Company wey dey provide communication services den network solutions. OneMain Cable build de first private open-access cable wey dey span 7,000 km wey dey connect Portugal plus South Africa via connections for chaw western African companies insyd, wey dey include Nigeria.

Lucy Quist be sam Ghanain-British electrical engineer den business executive. She graduate from de University of East London plus first-class honors for Electrical den Electronic Engineering wey she do sam MBA for Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires for France insyd. Throughout ein career, Quist work for Ford Motor Company, de Royal Bank of Scotland, Millicom International Cellular, Vodafone, den Airtel Ghana. Additionally, she contribute for de founding of Quist Blue Diamond, de Executive Women Network, den FreshPay, sam payment service wey dey Democratic Republic of Congo. Quist currently be de managing director for Morgan Stanley wey she recently release sam book wey ein title be “The Bold New Normal: Creating The Africa Where Everyone Prospers (2019)“. Sam of ein accomplishments dey include dem name am as part of: BBC demma Power Women, de 8th Most Influential Public Figures (Ghana Social Media Rankings), Top 50 Women Corporate Leaders for Ghana (WomanRising), 58th Most Influential Person for Ghana, den Ghana ein Most Influential Awards (2016).

Mary Spio be sam Ghanaian astronautical engineer den entrepreneur. Afta dem born den raise am for Ghana insyd, Spio pursue sam bachelor's degree for electrical engineering insyd for Syracuse University wey dey New York, den sam master's for electrical engineering insyd for Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout ein career, she serve for United States Air Force, work for sam NASA project, contribute innovations give companies like Microsoft Xbox, wey she cam turn head of satellite systems for Boeing. She sana form ein own company CEEK Virtual Reality plus de mission say ego make Virtual Reality more accessible. Spio sana be renowned author plus publications such as “It's Not Rocket Science: 7 Game-Changing Traits for Achieving Uncommon Success”.

**Elsie Akosua Biraa Effah Kaufmann** FGA, FBSE, FGhIE, PE be Ghanaian academic, academic administrator, biomedical engineer, den current host of de National Science den Maths Quiz. Dem born am for 7 September 1969 for Ghana insyd wer she start ein secondary education for Aburi Girls' Senior High School, wey she get ein International Baccalaureate Diploma from de United World College of de Atlantic wey dey Wales for 1988 insyd. She proceed go de University of Pennsylvania wer she get ein Bachelor of Science for Engineering (BSE), Master of Science for Engineering (MSE), den doctorate (PhD) for Bioengineering insyd. Na Prof. Kaufmann be sam research supervisor for Department of Chemistry for Rutgers University wey dey New Jersey, United States of America from May 1998 go June 2001 wey she sana serve as sam Teaching Assistant for Department of Bioengineering insyd for University of Pennsylvania, United States of America. Prof Kaufmann then move go University of Ghana (2006–2012, 2014–2016) wer she serve as Senior Lecturer den de first Head of de Department of Biomedical Engineering. Elsie Effah Kaufmann be visiting scholar den Founding Head of de Department of Orthotics den Prosthetics for University of Health den Allied Sciences for Ho wey dey Ghana. Asyd from dese, she ne University Council Member for Ghana Communication Technology University wey she dey serve for de board of de African Gifted Foundation Ghana (African Science Academy) top as well as de British International School-Ghana. Elsie Akosua Biraa Effah Kaufmann be de first shoddie wey dem appoint as dean of de School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, wey she take up dat post for 1 August 2022. Na she be part of de members wey establish de School of Engineering Sciences. Currently, she dey serve as de President of de Ghana Society of Biomedical Engineers den how exciting she be as de current host of one of Ghana ein cherished academic competitions, de National Science den Math Quiz.

## Professional organizations

## References