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Mfikeyi Makayi

Mfikeyi Makayi leads KoBold Metals Africa, the African unit of a Silicon Valley start-up that uses artificial intelligence to identify battery-metal deposits. She studied civil and environmental engineering at Old Dominion University and earned a master's in mining engineering from the Camborne School of Mines. Before KoBold, she worked for First Quantum Minerals at its Kansanshi Mine and for Barloworld Equipment Zambia, where she became country manager. TIME placed her among the Innovators on its 2025 TIME100 AI list. In March 2026 she told Reuters that KoBold had started mine development at the Mingomba copper project.

Now at
KoBold

Timeline

  1. By 2010

    Engineering degrees in the US

    She earns bachelor's and master's degrees in civil and environmental engineering at Old Dominion University before returning to Zambia in 2010.

  2. 2010

    Joining First Quantum at Kansanshi

    After returning to Zambia in 2010, she joins First Quantum Minerals at the Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.

  3. By 2023

    Country manager at Barloworld

    She moves to Barloworld Equipment Zambia in Kitwe and becomes its country manager; by 2023 she holds a master's in mining engineering from Camborne School of Mines.

  4. April 2023–August 2023

    Leading KoBold Metals Africa

    KoBold, a Silicon Valley start-up that uses artificial intelligence to identify battery-metal deposits, announces her as CEO of KoBold Metals Africa in April 2023. She takes the helm in August 2023.

  5. 2025

    A 2025 TIME100 AI listing

    TIME places her among the Innovators in its 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in AI.

  6. March 2026

    Mine development at Mingomba

    In March 2026 she tells Reuters that KoBold has started mine development at Mingomba, a copper project in Zambia.

  7. As of October 2026

    Current role at KoBold

    She is CEO of KoBold Metals Africa, a role she holds in June 2026.

Sources and credits

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  1. Mfikeyi Makayi:A Limitless Mind - Nkwazi Magazine interactive.nkwazimagazine.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. KoBold Metals appoints female CEO for Zambia copper unit - MINING.COM mining.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. KoBold Metals announces Mfikeyi Makayi as the CEO of KoBold Metals Africa - KoBold Metals koboldmetals.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2025 time.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. How AI Is Helping Africa Find the Minerals of the Future - Techstrong.ai techstrong.ai. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. KoBold starts development of Zambia copper project miningmx.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. Team - KoBold Metals koboldmetals.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  8. KoBold Metals CEO to Highlight AI's Growing Role in African Mining - MiningFocus Africa miningfocusafrica.com. Checked 14 October 2026.