Image: Ndeshihafela Ndivayele founder of NABO Innovations

Born in Namibia and raised in Brazil, Ndeshihafela Ndivayele is an award-winning Mining engineering leader and the founder of NABO Innovations, a multinational mining technology startup. Her journey into mining innovation began underground—literally. During her undergraduate studies, she experienced firsthand the harsh realities of mining: extreme heat, poor ventilation, and hazardous gas contaminants that made breathing a struggle. She quickly realized that while many miners enter the industry in good health, they often leave with serious health complications due to unsafe working conditions.

Determined to drive change, Ndivayele immersed herself in mining leadership, serving as President of the Mining & Process Engineering Society, where she witnessed the challenges students faced in securing internships and jobs—obstacles she, too, encountered. Her breakthrough came during the Women in Engineering (WomEng) Southern African Fellowship, where the ‘Innovation’ module sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. The result led to her selection as a Top Finalist in the WomEng and De Beers Group Innovation Challenge, marking the official start of her business.

Fueled by a commitment to making resource extraction safer, more sustainable, and more efficient, she expanded her efforts beyond Namibia to Botswana and Mozambique. Despite the challenges of balancing academics and entrepreneurship, she remained focused on bridging critical gaps in mining technology across Africa. Her work, grounded in environmental, economic, and social impact, has earned her prestigious accolades, including the African Leadership Awards (AWIMA, 2024), the Chelete Cage Competition (NIPDB, 2024), and recognition as a Top Finalist in Africa (BeChangeMaker, 2022).

With an unwavering vision for the future of mining, Ndivayele continues to push boundaries, redefining what’s possible in the industry. Join us for an interview with the founder.

Q: Could you explain how NABO Innovation addresses critical gaps in mining, thereby making it a game-changer for the industry?

A: The mining industry faces numerous challenges, including safety risks, environmental impact, inefficiencies in extraction processes, and a lack of transparency and good governance. At NABO Innovations, we focus on developing cutting-edge solutions that integrate technology with mining operations. One of our key innovations optimizes underground ventilation, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving air quality for both workers and machinery.

This solution has the potential to revolutionize the industry by enhancing efficiency, lowering operational costs, and supporting sustainability goals. By leveraging smart technology and data-driven insights, we aim to create safer working environments and drive long-term economic and environmental benefits for the industry.

Q: Mining remains a traditionally male-dominated field. Have you faced any challenges as a young woman innovating in this space, and how have you navigated them?

A: Absolutely! The mining industry has long been male-dominated, and breaking into the space as a young female innovator has come with its challenges. I’ve encountered skepticism, unconscious bias, and instances where my expertise was questioned. However, I’ve remained focused on delivering tangible results.

To navigate these challenges, I have built a strong support network of mentors and industry allies who believe in my vision. I also leverage global platforms like Women in Green Hydrogen and the Association of Women in Mining in Africa to amplify the voices of women in the energy and mining sectors. More than anything, I let my work speak for itself—developing innovative solutions backed by data and real-world impact has been my most powerful tool in challenging stereotypes.

Additionally, I believe in lifelong learning and strategically place myself in environments where I can continuously develop my skillset. One of the most important decisions I’ve made is to never give up on my God-given visions. Persistence, faith, and resilience have been key to my journey.

Image: Ndeshihafela during undergraduate studies study tour, standing 6,000 feet (1.83 km) underground in the Moab Khotsong underground gold & uranium mine.

Q: With ‘Accelerate Action’ as the theme for International Women’s Day 2025, how does your work drive meaningful progress, particularly in advancing opportunities for women in STEM and mining?

A: At NABO Innovations, our mission is deeply aligned with accelerating action across the mining and energy sectors—especially when it comes to safety, sustainability, and inclusion. By developing innovative solutions that improve underground ventilation, enhance operational efficiencies, and reduce environmental impact, we are driving technological advancement and creating a more accessible, responsible, and future-focused mining industry.

For women in STEM and mining, my journey is a living example that young women can lead technical innovations and thrive in spaces traditionally dominated by men. Through my work with organizations like Women in Green Hydrogen , I actively mentor, advocate, and create platforms where women’s voices, innovations, and leadership are elevated. Accelerating action means ensuring the next generation of female engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs have the tools, networks, and confidence to shape industries, rather than just fit into them.

Image: Panelist at the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA) Leadership Conference in Accra, Ghana in 2024.

Q: Beyond your innovation, what steps do you think academia and industry should take to better support young female entrepreneurs in science and technology?

A: There’s a lot both academia and industry can do to create a more supportive ecosystem for young female entrepreneurs.

• Mentorship & Sponsorship: Formal mentorship programs connecting students and early-career innovators with experienced professionals are crucial. However, we also require sponsors—individuals who are prepared to actively provide support, advocate for, and invest in the ideas of young women.
• Funding & Resources: Access to funding, especially at the pre-seed and prototype stages, remains a challenge. Targeted grants, competitions, and innovation funds for women-led startups could make a huge difference.
• Incorporating Innovation into Curricula: Universities should actively embed innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship into STEM curricula, encouraging students to develop solutions to real-world problems as part of their academic journey.
• Industry Partnerships: Companies should partner with universities to offer innovation labs, internships, and collaborative projects that expose students to emerging technologies and real industry challenges.
• Highlighting Role Models: We need to actively spotlight women innovators, engineers, and scientists across platforms so young women can see what’s possible.

Q: If you could challenge one industry stereotype about women in mining or technology, what would it be?
A: I would challenge the stereotype that women in mining or technology are better suited for support or administrative roles rather than technical, operational, or leadership positions.

Women are equally capable of driving innovation, leading technical teams, designing complex engineering solutions, and shaping the future of these industries. Our perspectives often bring new approaches to problem-solving, sustainability, inclusivity/diversity, and community engagement, which are all essential for modernizing mining and technology sectors.

By challenging this stereotype, we unlock the full potential of talent, ensuring the industry benefits from a diverse range of skills, ideas, and leadership styles.

Q: Looking ahead, where do you see your innovation in five years, and what legacy do you hope to create for women in mining and technology?
A: In five years, I see NABO Innovations as a leading force in sustainable mining technology, with our solutions widely adopted across mining operations, minerals and precious stones manufacturing services, and industrial sectors requiring enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

We aim to set the standard for excellence and innovation while also empowering women and men through meaningful employment opportunities and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, inclusivity, and innovation.

The legacy I want to create is one where women in mining and technology see themselves represented at all levels—as innovators, leaders, and changemakers shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future for the industry.

Q: How do you believe industry, academia, and government can collaborate to produce more innovations from African higher education institutions that solve pressing problems and are also economically viable?

The key to unlocking transformational innovation in Africa lies in stronger, more intentional collaboration between industry, academia, financial institutions, and government. Each stakeholder plays a critical role; academia must nurture creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while aligning curricula with industry needs to ensure graduates are equipped to tackle real-world challenges.

Industry must actively engage with academic institutions through internships, joint research projects, and mentorship programs that expose students to current technological challenges and opportunities for innovation. By co-creating solutions, companies foster talent pipelines and gain access to fresh ideas and disruptive thinking.

Governments must provide enabling policies, funding mechanisms, and innovation hubs to bridge the gap between academic research and commercially viable solutions. This includes incentivizing research-to-market pathways, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring that national development plans create demand for homegrown innovations.

When these three sectors work in synergy, African universities can become engines of economically viable innovations that solve local challenges, drive job creation, and position Africa as a global innovation powerhouse. 

Q: What advice would you give to other female innovators?

Own your space and trust your voice.
The world needs your perspective, your creativity, and your solutions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to start—START where you are, with what you have, and build from there.

Seek supportive communities, mentors, partners, and networks that uplift and challenge you. Collaboration will always take you further than competition. Surround yourself with people who understand your vision, but also those who question it—both are valuable.

Embrace failure as part of the process, not the end of the journey. Every setback is a setup for a comeback, and resilience will be your superpower.

Finally, believe in your ability to lead innovation, not just participate in it. African women have been innovators for generations, and it’s time WE OWN THAT LEGACY and build boldly for the future.