African Girl, African Woman: How Hynd Bouhia Wants to Empower Two Billion Rising Female Leaders Around the World
“I started writing my book, African Girl, African Women , after coming back home one evening, during a professionally tumultuous phase in my life. I looked at my girls and I felt I need to fight for them, to pave the way for a better future. I wrote this book for them and for all the young girls and women in the world.” Today’s woman dreamer, Hynd Bouhia, nominated by Forbes as one of the 100 most influential women in the world, started her career at the World Bank in Washington before joining Morocco’s Prime Minister as an economic advisor. Now an author, and CEO of Strategica, Hynd shares her mission to empower 2 billion young women worldwide to become tech-savvy, independent, and confident. A truly inspiring global woman, enjoy her story below!
1) You are quite the multi-faceted woman, as an author, CEO, and have done amazing work for social impact. Tell us your story. What drives and motivates you?
I was first trained as an engineer before getting my PhD from Harvard in environmental engineering and sustainable development. Throughout both my academic and professional career, I was always interested in the development and helping emerging economies go forward. Thus, i joined the World Bank in Washington as a young professional so that I can contribute to the elaboration of national strategies, set up action plans to alleviate poverty and define sustainable development initiatives. It was fascinating working on several projects in different regions including Latin America, Middle East and South East Asia. In 2004, I went back to Morocco to join the Prime Minister office and be part of the team that defines strategies, investment plans and economic stimulus. I have always been motivated by the mission of socio-economic development and by the importance of ensuring sustainable approaches to protect the environment of the next generations.
I have also been fascinated by the financial world and capital markets. Development needs investment and finance. Thus, it is important to understand the linkages between them. I had my first experience in capital markets at the World Bank Treasury where I was responsible for World Bank bonds issuance in emerging market currencies. Later on, after my work at the Prime Minister office, in 2008 I was the Director General of the Casablanca Stock Exchanges. Then I launched my own companies as an entrepreneur. So I structured and managed several investment funds, including a venture capital fund for innovative startups.
2) Tell us about African Girl, African Woman. What inspired you to write the book, and what message should readers take from the book? What are some of your favorite lines from the book?
I started writing the inspirational book, African Girl, African Women , coming back home one evening, during a professionally tumultuous phase in my life. I looked at my girls and I felt I need to fight for them, to pave the way for a better future. I wrote this book for them and for all the young girls and young women in the world, based on real facts, stories of women that I knew, that I know, and that I have always admired.
Moving from Casablanca to Cape Town to Cairo, and from the ancient pyramids to venture capital-financed entrepreneurs and startups, this work thoroughly explores the pivotal role played by the African woman in realizing the continent’s digital and technological revolution – and how to prepare the African girl to fill, own, and lead this vital role into the 21st century.
It is fitting that this first motivational book about female empowerment on the continent was written by an African woman. Only someone born to a traditional culture, who graduated in a scientific field dominated by men, travelled the world, and explored diverse cultures, could produce such a detailed analysis, with the unique insights and perspective of a female who has known and overcome gender challenges firsthand.
African Girl, African Woman is a must read that shows how dreams can happen through a solid education, deep-rooted values, and tenacious perseverance.
3) You are the President/CEO of Strategica, a strategy firm taking on powerful projects for the future. This is an amazing venture. What was the need you saw when you started it, and what has been a rewarding project you have got to work on.
As an entrepreneur and a strategy consultant, I worked on several important projects for both private and public institutions in Morocco and also on a larger scale in Africa and other countries in the world. One of the highlights is the preparation of Morocco’s Green Investment Plan for the Unites Nations Climate Change gathering and also assisting several organizations in structuring their portfolio of environmentally sensitive and sustainable projects as part of COP22 requirements post Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2016 and 2017.
4) What does women empowerment mean to you. Who is a woman in your life that you admire?
To me, women empowerment is raising women confidence, strengthening their resilience and providing them with all the skills they need to launch their business, play an important role in the local economy and become mentally strong and financial free. Empowering women reverberates throughout the next generation. It helps prepare the new generation of girls and boys that are better educated, with better health and ready to embrace the digital transition, contribute to world prosperity and protect the environment and our planet.
5) What is your next big dream?
My big dream is to fulfill my mission to empower two billions girls and women around the world, to grow confident, resilient, tech-savvy and financial free. This way they can become the leaders of their own destiny, their community and beyond. I would like to use my trainings and my professional experience to give back and empower young girls and women and help them achieve their dreams and their aspirations.
Thank You Hynd for Sharing Your Empowering Story with Us! We are excited to have you in our empowered women’s network!
Bio: Dr. Hynd Bouhia has accumulated more than 20 years of professional experience in high-level and leadership positions, covering investments, financial structuring, entrepreneurship and sustainable development strategies. Hynd Bouhia was nominated by Forbes among the 100 most influential women in the world in 2008 and among the most influential women in Business in the Arab World in 2015, and honored as a member of the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars in 2018. With a PhD from Harvard University (GSAS 1998), an Engineering degree from Ecole Centrale Paris (1995) and a Master from Johns Hopkins SAIS (2000), Hynd Bouhia started her career at the World Bank in Washington before joining Morocco’s Prime Minister as an economic advisor. She was appointed in 2008 as the Managing Director of Casablanca Stock Exchange. After that she structured and managed several investment and venture capital funds. As the CEO of Strategica, she advises entrepreneurs, companies and institutions on economic intelligence, sustainable finance and growth strategies. Dr. Hynd Bouhia is a Professor of Sustainable Development and author of the motivational book for women entitled "Africa Girl, African Woman": How agile, empowered and tech-savvy females will transform the continent... for good".
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