But the fact is that the Deputy Managing Director of NABC is among the most qualified individuals working in the area of South–South and North–South cooperation through trade, investment and development. This University of Amsterdam graduate in Communication Science and Business Studies has led more than 30 business missions between Europe and Africa, as part of NABC’s commitment to enhancing the role of the Dutch private sector in the sustainable development of the African continent. She is expert in an impressive number of areas, including economic diplomacy, development cooperation, entrepreneurship, private sector development and trade and investment with Africa.
Building bridges
“When someone asks me what I do, I say that I build bridges – between countries and between people,” she says of her role at the The Hague-based organisation that places her at the heart of recent economic and political developments in Africa.
Among the tools that have helped Diboma navigate towards the top of the NABC is the multi-culturalism that she embodies – a result of having grown up in Cameroon and then moved to the Netherlands to study when she was just eighteen. “The child in me is Cameroonian but the adult is Dutch - and I’m able to use these two worlds to carry me in performing my work. Where suitable I wear my Dutch hat and at other times, I’ll wear my African one. I am blessed to represent the interests of the beautiful continent of Africa but also those of the country where I’ve lived my adult life.”
Central to Diboma’s bridge-building is a passionate belief in the centrality of partnerships in every aspect of life. And at the core of strong partnerships are people. “We are one – whether we are from the North or the South. When everyone embraces that, we will be more tolerant, we will be more understanding, and we will be more open. We all need to look in the same direction and strive for that common goal.”
Diboma’s faith in the potential of humanity stems directly from her mother who always encouraged her to be the best and to pursue excellence.
Empowering others
This isn’t the only core value to have come from Diboma’s mom. Another is the importance of empowering others. “I call my mother’s house the ‘embassy’ of our extended family because it is the place where everyone is welcome – our cousins, children from the neighbourhood and others. It meant that I never had the privilege of my own room while growing up and one day, I asked my mom why she felt this need to take care of everyone. She replied that if you can afford to be there for someone, you must; she said that if you empower someone, somewhere down the line they will do the same for another person.”
Sharing stories
Diboma embodies this philosophy in her working life. “I share my story with young women as often as possible, encouraging them to believe that they have a role to play. I also try to get them to see that sometimes that role is not given to you but is one that you create for yourself.” The 35-year-old is herself is a vibrant example - to African women in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe - of working steadily towards the top of an organisation, while retaining those core values and beliefs that are central to who you are. “It’s so important to know what your core values are when you are a young girl - and to stick to those as you emerge into adulthood. It’s also vital that you believe in yourself.”
Although she never had a formal one herself, Diboma believes in the role of mentorship in the careers of young women. “Everyone is talented, but to find out how to build on those talents and how to use those talents to stand out, you need passion – and a mentor can help bring that out. When you’re passionate about something, that combination of passion and talent means that you are able to set your goals higher than just the salary you are earning or the goals of the organisation you are part of. This allows you to stand your ground when facing challenges and break through the barriers that you might face.”
The importance of self-reflection
Even though she’s widely acknowledged as an expert on Africa and development cooperation, Diboma still regularly engages in a process of self-reflection. “It’s a skill that I’ve really worked on, because, in the past, it was difficult for me to confront myself and acknowledge that I might have gone a bit off track. But I’ve learnt to do this mirroring on a continuous basis – questioning myself and asking if what I am doing feels right and if it feels good. If I start moving away from the direction I’ve set myself, then this process of mirroring helps me understand why and what I need to do to get back on track.”
This belief in self-examination is something Diboma acquired when she realised she actually didn’t want to study international law six months after arriving in Amsterdam. “I felt I was letting down my mom, but my intuition told me that I needed to find another path.” Diboma found her mother’s support for her decision both empowering and life-changing, giving her the courage to face challenges. These days Diboma’s talents, passion and belief in the role of people in building bridges is taking her into areas aligned to her position at the NABC. She’s active in the INCLUDE platform (which advises both the Dutch government and selected African states on their inclusive development policy), the international civil society network Africa 2.0 and the African Young Professional Network (AYP Network).
For Diboma, there’s one common thread that stands out in everything she does. “It’s supporting others - making sure others stand out, that no-one is forgotten and that everyone is participating. A society where everyone believes that they count, is a stable one - and that is something that we all need.”