By Emilia Casper
Mecktilder M. Mchomvu, a Co-Founder and Chief Creation Officer at WOOW ME JEWELRY LTD, is a driving force in the Tanzanian mining industry. As a founding member and Secretary-General of the Tanzania Women in Mining & Mineral Industry (TWiMMI), she is also the Co-founder of the Tanzania Women Mineral Value Addition initiative (TAWMIVA). For the past nine years, Mecktilder has been dedicated to small-scale mines across Tanzania and Mozambique, advocating for transparency and sustainable development in the mineral value chain.
Her career focuses on ethical mining, empowering women miners, and leveraging modern technology. She recently served as the Deputy Secretary of Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA), where she raised awareness among over 2,000 members to explore mineral value addition, helping create local markets and designing custom jewelry from Tanzanian women-mined gemstones.
A Turning Point Reflecting on her journey into the mining sector, Mecktilder recounts a pivotal moment. “I am an accountant by profession and a mineral value addition enthusiast by destiny,” she explains. It all started during a prayer meeting when a pastor highlighted Tanzania’s rich mineral resources, particularly gold in Morogoro. Inspired, Mecktilder made a life-changing decision. “I saved my meal allowances to visit the mines after my final university exams. Now, 10 years later, I am grateful for that moment.”
Field Challenges Entering the male-dominated mining industry as a 23-year-old woman was no easy feat. Mecktilder recalls one of her toughest experiences at the mines. “After putting in all the effort, from sampling gold ore to overseeing the final stages of processing, a giant man suddenly grabbed the gold and said, ‘This is not women’s work.’ I was helpless, watching my hard-earned efforts slip away,” she shares. Yet, this humiliation fueled her determination to succeed, not just for herself but for all aspiring young women in the sector.
Breaking Gender Barriers in Mining When asked about the perception that mining is a male-dominated industry, Mecktilder challenges this stereotype. “What makes one economic activity a ‘men’s sector’ and another a ‘women’s sector’?” she questions. For her, it is vital that both men and women complement each other in the industry for sustainable growth. “We need to drop the stereotypes and work together.”
WOOW ME JEWELRY LTD: A Vision for African Youth WOOW ME JEWELRY LTD, Mecktilder’s company, is a symbol of hope for African youth. Specializing in value addition, the company transforms gemstones, primarily mined by women, into world-class Tanzanite and other gemstone jewelry. “Our bespoke pieces range from engagement rings to statement earrings,” Mecktilder explains. Beyond business, WOOW ME JEWELRY works with women’s initiatives, raising awareness and offering training in mineral value addition to women and youth in Tanzania.
The Tanzanian Mining Sector’s Progress After nearly a decade in the industry, Mecktilder is proud of the strides Tanzania has made. “We now have over 5,000 Primary Mining Licenses awarded to locals, a mineral value addition license, and standardized markets for gold, diamonds, Tanzanite, and gemstones,” she notes. However, she acknowledges that there is room for improvement, particularly in climate-friendly mining practices and increased youth participation.
Challenges Facing African Mining Mecktilder is candid about the challenges facing the African mining sector. “Each African country is trying to go it alone, but this is impossible. We need harmonized strategies, especially in negotiations,” she stresses. Another critical challenge is the lack of technology and machinery. “Why are we still struggling with mercury use, despite the Minamata Convention, when we have hundreds of graduates who can innovate?”
Driving African Startups in Mineral Value Chains Passionate about African entrepreneurship, Mecktilder has pioneered initiatives like TAWMIVA, which trains women and youth in mineral value addition and seeks international markets for Tanzanian gemstones. “I believe in doing it first—help will find you along the way,” she says.
A Bold Vision for Tanzania Mecktilder’s dream for the future is ambitious: “I envision Tanzania as Africa’s mineral value-addition hub.” She uses the social media hashtag #ZeroRawGemstoneExportation to reflect her belief that Tanzania should focus on exporting value-added products, not raw materials.
As Mecktilder continues to break barriers and push for innovation, she remains a beacon of inspiration, particularly for women and youth in Tanzania’s mining sector.
