Ludivine Guth: Driving Africa's Economic Growth Through Local Talent Development

Women’s leadership has flourished in the present era, with more and more women rising to powerful and influential positions across various industries. Their unique approach to leadership, blending empathy, collaboration, and resilience, has been transformative for organizations and communities around the world. Such leaders are not only excelling in their respective fields but are also challenging the status quo, reshaping business landscapes, and fostering inclusive environments. In Ivory Coast, the rise of women in leadership positions has been particularly inspiring. The country has seen an increasing number of women who have made significant contributions to economic growth, social development, and cultural change. Inspiring others while setting a powerful example for women globally is Ludivine Guth, the Principal Managing Partner at Africa Extractive Partners.

Ludivine’s leadership journey is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning and cultural understanding. Having spent three years in a Catholic boarding school shaped her disciplined approach to education. After a formative experience in France, she moved to Ivory Coast, where she believes she gained the most valuable learning experiences of her life. Immersing herself in the local culture, Ludivine took time to understand how people around her reacted to various situations, which enhanced her personal and professional growth. Today, Ludivine’s extensive education spans prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, HEC Paris, and Yale University. Her expertise, built over years of education and hands-on learning, has shaped her into a multicultural leader, committed to fostering sustainable and inclusive leadership across Africa. Let’s hear from her.

Can you share insights into your diverse professional journey as a business leader within the African business landscape? What have been some of the most pivotal moments in your career?

Initially, I didn't consider myself entrepreneurial, enjoying the comfort of being an employee. However, in 2018, after many years in that role, I ventured into setting up a recruitment and training company. The experiment was short-lived, as my first client offered me a role at Endeavour Mining as Vice President of Human Resources, which I ultimately accepted. During this time, I continued my education through programs at HEC Paris and Harvard. Interacting with executives who shared entrepreneurial aspirations led me to pursue my own ventures. Today, I have founded two companies focused on recruiting, developing, and training African talent, with a special emphasis on empowering women in male-dominated sectors.

My Success Mantra Revolves Around Understanding People’s True Needs, As They Often Don’t Openly Express Them

Highlight the key areas of expertise which you bring as a business leader? Additionally, how are you contributing to the development of Africa and its youth?

As a business leader, I bring expertise in several key areas critical to organizational success. These include strategic vision and planning, trend anticipation, and the development of innovative strategies that align corporate objectives with market trends. I have a strong ability to optimize resources and manage budgets and allocations to maximize profitability. My leadership style focuses on creating a collaborative working environment, motivating teams and investing in talent development through training and mentoring.. I also drive digital transformation, promoting technology adoption to improve operations and enhance customer experience. With nearly 30 years in HR and recruitment, I support African youth by developing young talent, providing tailored training programs, and helping them succeed in their careers.

Can you tell us about Africa Extractive Partners? What key roles and responsibilities do you undertake as the Principal Managing Partner?

Africa Extractive Partners (AEP) is a recruitment firm dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of the extractive industries across Africa, with a strong focus on promoting African talent and enhancing human capital. AEP plays a crucial role in sustainable development by advocating for local skills and gender diversity. As legislation around local content in various African countries evolves, many international companies view these regulations as constraints. However, AEP sees them as opportunities to develop local talent, which is often highly skilled. During my time at Endeavour Mining, I oversaw a "Growing Local Talent" program that successfully replaced expatriate managers with local employees, fostered greater commitment, reduced intercultural conflict and improved performance.

Although AEP is a recent addition to the Ivorian landscape, the long-standing African presence of its members puts it in a unique position to help international companies integrate local talent. The company’s mission is to transform the human resources landscape in Africa's extractive sector, promoting African skills and gender diversity. As Principal Managing Partner, I oversee client needs, defines requirements, and identifies the best candidates for hiring managers.

In your opinion, what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey? What is your ‘success mantra’ as a leader?

One of my greatest achievements has been successfully navigating industrial relations and negotiating with unions, particularly when strikes were imminent. My success mantra revolves around understanding people’s true needs, as they often don’t openly express them. Identifying these needs is key to finding the right solutions, which requires asking the right questions and listening closely to what's not said. I also believe that while going fast alone is possible, going far requires a strong team. I always strive to surround myself with capable and supportive individuals.

How do you envision the evolution of Ivory Coast’s human resource landscape in the near future? What industry trends do you believe will have a significant impact moving forward?

Côte d'Ivoire’s human resources landscape is set to evolve with several industry trends shaping its future. The extractive sector, while still influenced by agriculture, is growing in importance, contributing 15 percent of export value and 6 percent of government revenue in 2021. Key developments include an increase in gold production and recent oil and gas discoveries, prompting reforms to attract investment. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has improved governance and revenue distribution. Human resource development will be driven by initiatives like the Innovation Hackathon, which targets African youth for creative solutions. However, a skills mismatch exists, as companies struggle to find technicians with the necessary expertise, highlighting a need for better technical training.

Ludivine Guth, Principal Managing Partner, Africa Extractive Partners

With extensive experience in human resources and recruitment, Ludivine Guth is the Principal Managing Partner at Africa Extractive Partners. She is passionate about promoting African talent, advancing gender diversity, and developing sustainable leadership in Africa’s extractive sector.