What does it take for a woman to build and lead a successful business in one of Africa’s traditionally male-dominated industries?
For Virginia Njoroge, Managing Director of Deshate Construction Company in Kenya, the journey began with an interest in STEM subjects, followed by studies in building technology and several years of professional experience before she found the courage to establish her own construction company.
In her contribution to Women in Geopolitics, Virginia speaks candidly about the cultural perceptions and barriers women continue to face in construction. Yet her experience demonstrates that these barriers do not have to define women’s possibilities.
Her message is particularly focused on the next generation.
Virginia actively mentors young women and university students, giving them opportunities to gain practical experience through attachments and project-management roles within her company. She believes Africa needs to encourage more girls to pursue the subjects and skills that can lead them into industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining and logistics.
“Let’s mentor young women into construction, into manufacturing, into mining, into logistics. I believe, as women, if we come together, we can do great, great things.”
But courage and skills alone are not enough.
Virginia also highlights the power of networking and cross-border collaboration. Through relationships developed at networking events, she has connected and collaborated with women on projects extending beyond Kenya into Uganda and Tanzania.
Her advice to African women entrepreneurs is simple: do not remain invisible. Attend the events. Introduce yourself. Tell people what you do. Build relationships beyond your immediate market.
Because sometimes, the next business opportunity begins with a conversation.
As Africa invests in infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, logistics and other strategic industries, women cannot remain on the margins of these opportunities.
Virginia Njoroge’s journey reminds us that women must not only participate in Africa’s economic transformation — they can build the companies, develop the skills, create the partnerships and mentor the generation that will help deliver it.
Watch Virginia Njoroge’s contribution to Women in Geopolitics:
Women in Geopolitics, Amplifying the Voices Shaping Africa’s Future.
The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series is a high-level thought-leadership platform dedicated to amplifying African voices, particularly women’s voices, in conversations on geopolitics, global affairs, governance, leadership and development.
Through dialogue with women leaders, diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, academics and experts from across Africa and beyond, the programme is building a growing archive of African women’s perspectives on the issues shaping our continent and our world.
We invite you to visit the Women in Geopolitics Knowledge Hub on YouTube, explore previous conversations and subscribe as we unveil a new voice every day throughout August:
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Madelein Mkunu is the President of Leading Women of Africa (LWA), a Pan-African social enterprise promoting women's leadership in economic development, and the founder of Beyond Boundaries, a global content and advocacy platform amplifying African women’s voices in policy, peacebuilding, and development. A bilingual English–French strategist and accomplished public speaker, she brings over 20 years of experience in gender mainstreaming, inclusive governance, and stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally. She holds an MBA and a Master’s in Management from IEDC-Bled School of Management (Slovenia), a Postgraduate Degree in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), a Certificate in Leadership from the Dale Carnegie Institute, and is an alumna of Michigan State University’s Women Empowerment Programme. With a background in accounting and a passion for transformative change, Madelein is a trusted advisor to institutions seeking Africa-rooted development solutions.
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