Susan Mashibe

Susan Mashibe (born 1973) is a pioneering Tanzanian certified pilot, maintenance engineer and businesswoman who founded her own company, VIA Aviation, in 2003. It supports private jet aircraft with services such as refuelling, catering, cleaning and logistics. In 2011, she was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and in 2013 was a speaker at the Bush Institute's African First Ladies Summit in Dar es Salaam.

Early life Born in 1973 in Kigoma, a small town in western Tanzania, Susan Mashibe was the daughter of a civil servant. She was left with her grandmother after her parents flew to Dar es Salaam when she was four years old. Realizing that she would not be left behind if she could fly a plane herself, from that day on she dreamt of becoming a pilot. She spent her childhood in Mwanza on Lake Victoria.

Mashibe also heads Universal Africa Logistic Ltd. and Kilimanjaro Aviation Logistics Centre, handling authorizations for private jets throughout Africa. In addition to her professional duties, she strives to promote the inclusion of mathematics and science subjects in education programmes giving particular attention to girls in Tanzania's primary and secondary schools.

Awards and distinctions Susan Mashibe has received many awards, including:

2009: Selected as an Archbishop Tutu Fellow 2009: Tanzania Women of Achievement Award 2011: Fortune Most Powerful Women Mentee 2011: Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum 2012: Women4Aprica Recognition Award 2013: Global Development (IGD) Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellowship Programme 2017: African Female Leader of the Year (co-winner) from African Leadership Magazine