Ida's accomplishments extend beyond her entrepreneurial endeavours. As an alumna of notable programs such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship and AU-CIEFFA, she has honed her leadership skills and expanded her network. In 2024, Ida was appointed as The TEF Gambia Hub Lead, As an alumna of notable programs such as McKinsey @ Companie further solidifying her position as a leader in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Additionally, Ida has been honoured as a Positive Role Model Champion for West Africa by Africa Engage in 2022, and as one of the Top 50 Rising MotherLand Moguls by She.leads.Africa in 2023. She has also won The Gambia Youthconnekt Pitching Competition in 2023 and was awarded the Most Influential Global Leader Of The Year by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation in the same year.
Her dedication to excellence and commitment to empowerment have earned her numerous accolades, including being recognised as one of the 100 most influential female engineers in Africa by The Africa Engineering Board in 2021.
In an Interview with this medium, Ida Faal, a professional Auto Mechanic, stated that her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving one's dream. She added that her journey serves as an inspiration to young people everywhere, showing them that with courage, dedication, and belief in oneself, anything is possible and there is no gender in a career path.
“Despite this remarkable success, I remain grounded and focused on my mission of empowering women and transforming the automotive industry in The Gambia. With my innovative spirit, determination, and dedication to excellence, I continue to inspire the next generation of automotive engineers, proving that gender is no barrier to success,” she says.
Ida indicates that one of the most significant challenges is the pervasive stereotype that certain fields are better suited for men, leading to implicit bias and discrimination in doing business with them.
“One of the most significant challenges is the pervasive stereotype that certain fields are better suited for men, leading to implicit bias and discrimination in doing business with us,” Faal points out. “We at FaalFita Autos are only working with two companies despite possessing the same skills and knowledge as our male counterparts. How can I pay staff, run my business and continue to inspire young women if Gambians and non-Gambians living in The Gambia are petitioning my business?”
The FaalFita CEO further urges the Government to support women-owned enterprises that are in the male-dominated sectors.
