Elphine Kakudji is a businesswoman. A key player in the oil trading market in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she attributes her success to her listening and analytical skills, her instinct, and her humility. She attributes these qualities to her femininity.
Elphine Kakudji’s story is worthy of a fairy tale. Born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, she comes from a modest background. Recently married, she observed how many private drivers and cabs regularly ran out of gas far from the gas stations. She did what few people would have dared to do in her position. Taking a chance, she sacrificed the money needed to feed her household for a month to buy five liters of gasoline. She conveniently places herself at the location and waits for the unfortunate ones… Bingo! She makes a small profit that she immediately reinvests in some additional liters, which will become year after year cans, tanks, and trucks, until the success of SOKAM Holding, one of the most important oil trading companies in Congo. This success is all the more remarkable as Elphine Kakudji is self-taught and a woman in a traditionally male environment.
Why do you think women are less successful than men in business?
Most often, this comes from a socio-cultural environment that encourages them to believe that they do not have the necessary capacities to succeed. Consequently, it is not easy for women to convince themselves that they can succeed and prevail. This is true in the oil industry, where I have made my career, but not only. For my part, I realized that all this was a mystification that leads women to doubt themselves. However, they are gifted with many qualities that allow them to succeed as well as men. It is all about self-confidence.
What are these qualities you speak of?
Women are intelligent and have excellent analytical capacity. They are less sensitive to appearances than men; they are more in action and have a sense of responsibility. But above all, they are very intuitive. As for me, I always act according to my common sense. For example, during a first business meeting, I start by listening and observing my interlocutors. Within a few minutes, I map out the situation to help me understand the ins and outs and, above all, the stakes of the negotiation. If I don’t feel the deal within five minutes, I give up.
Do you think you are a role model for women?
I would like to share my experience with other women, but I don’t set myself as an example. I would like them to understand that everything is possible with hard work and willpower. But my message is not only for women. The SOKAM charitable foundation is for all those who are in need. For instance, we have donated a scanner to a hospital in my home province, and we are committed to the fight against child malnutrition and to the education of children. Whether for women or men, education remains one of the keys to success. Just like the family.
You are a wife and mother as well as a businesswoman. How do you balance your professional and personal life?
My family is my priority, which gives meaning to my success. I now live in New York with my husband – my first supporter from day one – and my two youngest children, whom I take care of personally. I frequently postpone a meeting or a video to cook for them. They cheer me up, and when I’ve had a bad day, their smiles put my mind at ease. They allow me to put things into perspective.
