Company: DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa
Company Description: DHL Express transports urgent documents and goods reliably and on time from door-to-door in more than 220 countries and territories, and operates the most comprehensive global express network. With a fleet of more than 250 aircraft, DHL Express is also one of the largest air carriers worldwide. DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa is present in 54 countries and territories, with over 3500 employees.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Business Services –More Than 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Fatma Abubakar, Country Manager, DHL Express Uganda

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words):

Fatma is very passionate about working and supporting the youth in initiatives that will benefit the community. She encouraged her sons to join her and went out in the rural areas of Kilifi district in the coastal part of Kenya where they came across a town called Sokoni. the residents of the town had no access to water and learning conditions fin the schools were quite difficult.

Fatma joined hands with the people of Sokoni and built a well for them and launched a feeding program for the children. To date, the people of Sokoni don’t have to walk long distances looking for water and the children can now afford a genuine smile on their faces and learn comfortably.

As a member of the Rotary Club of Mombasa, Fatma was the director of Community Service projects and has been involved in several initiatives; provision of desks to a school In Ngu tatu village in Mombasa, volunteering as Director of International Service in the Rotary Club of Mombasa where she was engaged in communicating, mobilizing and organizing a group of Rotarians from USA who participated In various community projects in Mombasa.

Recently in Uganda, Fatma met with some university students from USA and has been their point of contact in Uganda as they assist the needy communities with computers to aid in better education for underpriviledged students. She assisted the students in purchasing computers locally and delivered them to Hoima District.

Fatma has acquired several prestigious accolades in her vast roles at DHL Express Kenya. In December 2014, she scooped a Customer Service Manager Of The Year award from the Institute of Customer Service of America. In March 2015, DHL Express Uganda got recognition as a Super Brand East Africa 2015-2016. Moreover, in May, they impressed with yet two more other awards ; Uganda Visionaries Award for being the Best Clearing and Forwarding Company and the Uganda Sustainable Awards for Best Courier Company of the Year.

One of the greatest moments in her life was twenty-five years ago, when she walked into the DHL Express office in Mombasa to ask for employment. It took incredible courage for her to walk into an international company without having any prior experience. The Station Manager looked at her and asked her why she was interested in working for the organization. She remembers telling him that she needed a bit of money to support her parents and get some work experience. She was then asked which department she was interested in, but she had absolutely no idea of how the company was structured so she told the Manager to place her anywhere he saw fit. After spending a week or so in the induction program, she was offered an opportunity to work as a debt collector- she did not realize how difficult that job was, however she took up the challenge; some days were good and some days she would go home and cry because she did not achieve her daily collections target. About a year after, she was offered a permanent position. This marked an exciting landmark that was filled with new job prospects for her.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 125 words):

Fatma took up the position of Country Manager for DHL Express Uganda in 2015.

Prior to this she served as Head of Customer Service for DHL Express Kenya.

Fatma is a business management professional and a specialist in customer service and has over 26 years of experience in the industry covering multiple disciplines.

In her current position, she is responsible for managing the whole DHL Express business in Uganda. She controls 2 facilities, 1 head office and gateway plus over 100 other retail outlets.

Fatma graduated from the University of Nairobi with a bachelors degree in Commerce and also has a degree in General Management from DALC Education (Cambridge/Oxford).

Fatma is also a mother of 4 and has been married for 24 years.