At 32, Emily Jatta Inspires Women to Pursue Careers in The Gambia’s Automotive Industry

Written by: Michaella Faith Wright

At just 32, Gambian mechanic Maria Emily Jatta is encouraging more women and girls to pursue careers in the automotive industry and other skilled trades.

Known simply as Emily, she works as a mechanic, runs her own business, and is also the only female aircraft refueller at the airport. Her journey reflects years of determination, hard work, and a passion for technical careers.

Emily’s interest in mechanics began in 2008 while spending time at her sister’s then-husband’s workshop, where she helped with small mechanical tasks. Her curiosity soon grew into a career, leading her to enrol at the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), where she says her late father was one of her biggest supporters.

“My dad believed in me right from the start. He would tell all his friends who owned cars, ‘My daughter is a mechanic—you can bring your car to her.’ That confidence motivated me to keep going,” she recalled.

Despite her achievements, Emily says she still faces discrimination and is often underestimated because she is a woman.

“I still experience discrimination almost every day. People doubt my abilities at first sight, but I let my work speak for itself,” she said.

One of her most memorable experiences came during a trip to Senegal when two tyres on the vehicle burst, leaving passengers stranded. Emily stepped in to help after discovering the driver had spare tyres but did not know how to change them.

“I asked the driver if he had spare tyres. He said yes, but admitted he couldn’t fix them. Together we replaced the tyres, and everyone was amazed. That moment made me proud of my profession,” she said.

Her work as the airport’s only female aircraft refueller has also drawn attention from pilots and flight engineers.

“They often tell me they have travelled across many countries and have never seen a woman doing this job. They take pictures with me because they are impressed.”

Emily hopes more parents will support their daughters in pursuing technical careers.

“Focus on developing practical skills and building your expertise. With time, your work will silence those who believe these jobs are only for men.”

She now hopes to become an aircraft engineer and wants her journey to encourage more women to explore careers in technical and engineering fields.