Mayra Costa

The managing director of Carmon, Mayra Costa, joins the anniversary special with an inspiring feminine touch. Not many people know of her roots as a woman. She grew up admiring the strength of her mother, who, a widow with five children, chose to take a break from teaching to dedicate herself to managing three jobs at the same time, out of pure ambition. In her, Mayra found the inspiration to break down barriers, and the result can be seen today. Guided by rigour and humanism, the manager admits that life hasn’t taught her how to deal with the injustices that continue to devastate the world, such as war, hunger and discrimination. Perhaps that’s why the Carmon company is not short of social responsibility actions in its daily endeavours to make the world a better place. Find out more about this 100% Angolan company, renowned for its excellent construction work on roads, bridges, viaducts and much more.

Carmon entered the Angolan market for the first time in 2007. What difficulties and facilities did you encounter and how have you remained up to date over time?
In 2007, we were going through a period of national reconstruction in Angola, with various companies involved in projects to revitalise the country. As a result, we faced a number of difficulties, not least the shortage of qualified engineers in the domestic market. In addition, many of the projects were located in remote areas that required mine clearance operations before any construction work could be carried out. There was also strong competition for road construction projects close by, but there was a notable reluctance to take on bridge projects, given their complexity and the need for more detailed and specialised engineering. Carmon spotted opportunities in the hesitation of others. 
The first projects were truly complex, but the initial difficulties served to help us learn and develop the ability to persevere in the face of challenges. Certain steps led to us being recognised as the only 100% Angolan company capable of building bridges, and from then on we began to make a name for ourselves. As time went by, we grew and gained the trust of our biggest client: the Angolan state. Today, we aim to maintain the highest standards of excellence and quality. Our mission is to continue connecting cities, but also countries, playing a vital role in the development of Angola and the African continent. 

Which projects are among Carmon’s most iconic? 
All our projects have an important significance, but one of the most iconic is the construction of the Camama road interchange, which has become a real landmark in Luanda. Another outstanding project is the bridge over the Lukunga River in Zaire province, which is 300 metres long and contains an impressive 2,850 tonnes of steel. 

«Carmon spotted opportunities in the hesitation of others»

What initiatives have you set up to promote support for local communities?
Our initiatives cover several areas, although many of them are not made public due to their sensitive nature. In terms of education, we created the Alfabetizar programme in partnership with the Ministry of Education. We’re talking about approximately 500 adults being taught to read and write, classrooms being prepared in our facilities and the rehabilitation and construction of primary schools. We have also secured supplies of medicines for hospitals, the rehabilitation of orphanages, the distribution of food baskets and the future opening of community kitchens, where at least two meals a day will be provided for the elderly, pregnant women and children.  

How do you characterise the work culture in Angola?
First and foremost, labour culture is influenced by various cultural, historical and socio-economic factors. Diversity is a distinctive feature of society and is also reflected in its workforce. Next, Angola’s history, marked by a long period of civil war, demonstrates the resilience of the Angolan people. This resilience is reflected in their approach to work, characterised by their determination to overcome challenges. On the other hand, interpersonal relationships play a central role in business, and are decisive in initiating and concluding commercial agreements. Building solid and lasting relationships is essential. Due to bureaucratic processes and the need to establish relationships of trust, patience is an indispensable virtue when doing business. Business processes can be lengthy, and it is crucial to understand and take this into account.  

What are the challenges of being a woman and a manager?
I grew up watching my mum being a manager. She is my main source of inspiration. I know there will always be challenges, but they can all be overcome, especially when we are guided by God. It is a fact that there is still some chauvinism in the construction sector and sometimes I even face a lack of courtesy from some organisations. You have to be able to keep calm and, more often than not, ignore these situations, choosing silence and professionalism as your best defence. But there is also the other side of the coin, where some men are willing to help and protect, recognising the value of a woman’s work.