From Maputo, Mozambique, Latifa Rijal Ibraimo shares the leadership journey that began as an 18 years old French teacher. As a teacher, she found herself having a leadership role towards her students, who were more mature than her. From teaching, she evolved into the natural resources, mining industry, and law. Over the years, she grew up the ranks of her career journey to become a leader with much experience in contract negotiation and drafting of mining, oil, and gas policy and legislation. Latifa gives us a glimpse of leadership adventure and explains her leadership nuggets of team building, and information sharing, among others. She shares her thoughts on what Africa needs to reach its full potential.

Between 1993 and 2003, Latifa was the Head of Licensing and Control Department at the National Directorate of Mines in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. After that, she worked as a Senior Contract Manager at Companhia Mocambicana De Hidrocarbonetos (CMH) for 15 years. She acquired a Law Diploma from the University Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo, Mozambique, and holds an LLM degree in Natural Resources Law and Policy from the University of Dundee (Scotland). Latifa is the Treasurer of the National Council of the Mozambican Bar Association and the elected Vice-President of the Advisory Board of the Mozambique Women in Energy Association (MWE). She is also a Member of the International Bar Association (IBA).