Image Source: Isabel Dos Santos’ website
Isabel Dos Santos is first and foremost a doting mother and wife; a woman with strong family values. She is also someone who cares deeply about Angola and the people of Angola. To this end, she has dedicated most of her life to empowerment, upliftment and transformation initiatives.
A self-made businesswoman, Isabel Dos Santos has become a symbol of gender empowerment for girls and women. Her successes span far and wide, encompassing multiple businesses and industries. Dos Santos’ corporations are instrumental to African growth and development, with the likes of SODIBA, CANDANDO, ZAP, EFACEC, and Unitel.
Her commitment to the people is perhaps best summarized with the following quote:
‘If you do something that's going to get somebody a job, then they'll be able to pay for their kids to go to school, and then their kid is going to be a doctor, and then that doctor is going to probably help who knows how many other people, so it's very motivating.’
Isabel's education positioned her for success at an early age. An engineer by profession, an entrepreneur by design, she has facilitated the growth and development of multiple businesses and initiatives over the years. Isabel employed her skills and talents to fast-track greater business efficiency, renewable energy initiatives, and empowerment projects across the continent.
‘Angola and its people are near and dear to my heart. Together, we can tap into our country’s potential for the betterment of society. By harnessing the power of renewable energy sources, we can provide for our peoples’ needs. We are on the cusp of something great. Together we can get there.’
Indeed, Isabel backs up her statements with tremendous behind-the-scenes action. Her company EFACEC is a global leader in international markets. By providing for the engineering and energy needs of various target markets, EFACEC is well positioned to become a dominant force in the electric vehicles market.
On the subject of employment, Isabel Dos Santos has taken an unequivocal position:
‘Nothing is more demotivating to a person than unemployment. I am determined to help as many people as I can reach their true potential through gainful employment initiatives. I work seven days a week and I am determined to create as many viable employment opportunities in Angola as possible.’
We fact-checked Isabel statements and found them to be 100% accurate. Her companies employ thousands of people, with ZAP (1200+) and CANDANDO (1500+) as cases in point. The value of employment in Angola and other countries across Africa is incredibly important. Breadwinners typically support extended families, meaning that her companies are solely responsible for the livelihoods of thousands upon thousands of people. Dos Santos believes strongly in worker protections, job security, training and skills development.
‘Education is the panacea to poverty. It is the great elixir we seek for the problems that have troubled our continent for centuries.’
Once again, Isabel Dos Santos has backed up her statements by pursuing academic excellence at every opportunity. She studied engineering at University at a time when very few women were pursuing engineering careers. Isabel Dos Santos faced many obstacles from the male-dominated mindset in business, education, and in social circles. She was undeterred in her pursuit of self-empowerment, education, and her desire to be a role model to women everywhere.
‘I believe in women. We are strong. We are capable. We are intelligent. With the right tools and resources, we can help to strengthen our communities. Education, opportunity, and equality are needed to realize our goals. I am deeply committed to ensuring that women get to compete on a level playing field.’
She adds, ‘All of my companies are helping young people to realize their true worth. We work hard to provide people with all the opportunities they need to improve their education and ultimately land a better job. This is part of our company culture. Philanthropic initiatives are central to how we manage our operations, for the people we serve are part of the communities we do business with. My vision is to have a better society; it's important for us to give back and help others. Today, giving back has become part of our company culture.’
Taken from her Instagram profile:
A post shared by Isabel Dos Santos (@isabel_dos_santos.me) on
Our corporate culture is geared towards greater engagement of all of our stakeholders. We want people to feel invested in our success, in their success. This collective success has a domino effect on society and the way we conduct ourselves. Social responsibility initiatives are incredibly important to us. These include the ongoing fight against malaria, supporting pediatric hospitals, volunteers programs for sick children or underprivileged children and so forth.
‘The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. We must equip them with all the tools they need to be prepared for the exigencies of their future.’
Given her strong belief in children's causes, Isabel has invested her own time, energy and finances in the provision of healthcare services, educational opportunities, and the basic needs of children across Angola and elsewhere. She hopes to leverage her ability as an innovative leader to effect the changes so desperately needed in Angola.
‘Empowerment begins with the education of girls, the future mothers of our great nation.’
Isabel Dos Santos has been a tireless advocate of empowerment initiatives for many years. She is a strong proponent of gender equality, educational development, and future tech. She hopes to bring the power of the Internet to the masses of Africa for the betterment of society. Her laser focus on these bold and ambitious plans sets her apart from the naysayers who balk at such initiatives.
‘Creating opportunities and employment for women means betting on the progress of the communities themselves. After the mobile revolution, the next revolution in Africa will be digital. Soon there will be more sales and transactions through e-commerce than through traditional stores, and for the first time many Africans will have a bank account and it will be thanks to digital banking.’
