H.E. Thekla Mutero

H. E. Thekla Mutero is a Senior Fellow at Voice of Diplomacy Institute focused on mining diplomacy, Minerals and ESG. Thekla is also a distinguished Namibian entrepreneur and mining leader championing African mineral-resource ownership, sustainable mining, and inclusive economic development. Leadership Roles Founding President — Emerging Mining Association of Namibia (EMAN) Managing Director — Theky Shine Trading CC Chairperson — Southern African Miners Consortium Country Chair, Namibia — G100 Sustainable Mining ESG Ambassador — Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Namibia Ambassador — Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders (ASEB) Atomic Ambassador — Namibia Namibia Representative — International Council for the Support and Development of Women in Industry and Technology (ICWITI)

Awards & Recognition Namibian Business Hall of Fame (2020 & 2022): Networker of the Year and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. Top 25 ESG Champions Award (2022): Natural Resources Forum. Excellence in Mining Award (2021): Lead India Foundation. Champion for Policy of the Year Award (2022). Resilience and Leadership Management Award (2022): Mining Sector. Architect of African Mining Enterprise Award (2026). Multiple continental and international honours recognizing her leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and advocacy in the mining sector. Global Engagements & Summits Thekla has represented Namibia and Africa at prestigious international forums, including: • Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) — Istanbul (2018) & Bahrain (2019) • Russia–Africa Summit — Saint Petersburg (2023) • Nuclear Educational Week — Obninsk, Russia (2023) • Eurasia Women’s Forum — Russia (2024) • United Nations & African Union Delegations — Representing Namibia on mining, sustainability, and empowerment platforms etc. International Engagements and Global Representation Thekla Mutero has participated in international entrepreneurship, mining, scientific education, and Africa–international cooperation platforms, advancing dialogue on mineral-resource development, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), Istanbul, Türkiye (2018): Participated through the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), engaging with global entrepreneurship and enterprise development. Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), Bahrain (2019): Engaged in international entrepreneurship, innovation, and business development. International Engagement, Malaysia (2019): Participated in international engagements supporting professional networking and cross-border cooperation. Eurasian Engagements, Russia: Participated in engagements promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange. Russia–Africa Summit, Saint Petersburg, Russia (2023): Engaged in a major platform for Russia–Africa partnership and cooperation. Nuclear Education Week, Obninsk, Russia (2023): Participated in engagements focused on nuclear education and scientific development. SUBSOIL AFRICA Consortium of Mining Universities, Saint Petersburg Mining University, Russia: Engaged in academic and institutional cooperation connecting African and Russian mining universities, with a focus on mining education, knowledge exchange, and sector development. * Africa Minerals Policy Forum, Accra, Ghana (2026): Represented Namibian small-scale miners in discussions on developing a functional hub for artisanal and small-scale mining enterprises in Africa, within a United Nations-related minerals policy engagement. Etc