Some of the graduate interns under the ZESTA Internship Program. Photo: MoWEM
When we first started working on the Zanzibar Energy Sector Transformation and Access (ZESTA) project in 2021, we were tasked with a clear but ambitious goal: “to increase women’s participation in the energy sector.” At that time, women occupied only 10.3% of technical roles in that field. The idea wasn’t just to meet a target, but to create a meaningful, long-term shift that would open opportunities for women in Zanzibar’s energy sector.
Our first step was to collaborate with the Ministry of Water, Energy, and Minerals (MoWEM) to draft a Five-Year Gender Work Program, which became our mutual roadmap moving forward. When MoWEM officially adopted it in July 2022, our strategic tool was in place. However, the real challenge was to make change happen on the ground and to see actual results, an almost impossible task in the context of Zanzibar.
Defining the program
From the outset, we were aware that we needed to push beyond the usual discussions about gender parity. That was where the ZESTA Internship Program came in. Its aim was straightforward: to create a pipeline of female graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to help them seamlessly enter technical roles in the energy sector.
Working closely with local institutions like the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (ZURA), the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO), and MoWEM’s own Department of Energy and Minerals, we ensured that these young women received hands-on experience and took on real technical tasks and responsibilities. We are very happy to report that the program continues to this day!
What we saw and learned
From the start, when the first cohort of 21 interns arrived, we knew we had to create an environment that would enable these young women to succeed. Many of them were recent graduates, and stepping into a very technical sector could potentially be intimidating. They came from fields like electrical engineering, telecommunications, and civil engineering, and were eager to apply what they had learned in university to real-world situations. They came with a lot of enthusiasm.
It was clear that they needed the right kind of support. Each intern was thus paired with a mentor picked among senior professionals from ZURA, ZECO, and the Department of Energy and Minerals. This was a critical decision. Mentorship helped them build confidence by encouraging them to ask questions, take initiative, and learn by doing. One of the key outcomes of this mentorship approach was the independence it fostered in these young women. After receiving initial guidance, they were allowed to tackle tasks on their own, stepping into real roles within the organizations.
Sara Hashim Ame, one of the interns, was placed at ZECO as a telecommunications engineer. She shared with us how she was able to manage SCADA systems and contribute to troubleshooting technical issues during her time there. What stood out to us was that, just like the other interns, she wasn’t just assisting—she was an integral member of the team she had joined.
How the program unfolded
Throughout their six-month internship, these young women grew professionally. Every intern participated in a range of activities that built their technical expertise and gave them the soft skills they needed to thrive in the workplace. Site visits, technical inspections, and hands-on problem solving became their day-to-day work. Many of them reported that they learned more in those six months than they had in years of classroom instruction.
The second cohort, which welcomed 29 interns, was no different. They quickly assimilated into their respective teams, tackling challenges head-on and contributing to important projects. One standout moment was seeing how one of them, Habiba Abdulla Mzee, a civil engineer at ZECO, went from learning design software to conducting structural surveys and technical inspections with confidence.
It was further ensured that their development wasn’t limited to technical skills. Workshops were held throughout the program, covering essential topics like communication, leadership, and interviewing techniques. This holistic approach guaranteed that, by the end of the program, these women weren’t just technically competent, but professionally well-rounded.
Reflecting on the outcomes
By the time of the closing ceremonies of the internship program, the outcomes were clear. These interns had been transformed into young professionals ready to take on roles in the energy sector. The proof of our success was in the results: thanks to the Zanzibar Energy Sector Transformation and Access program, 24% of technical roles in Zanzibar’s energy sector are now filled by women, up from 20.4% in 2021. While the number might seem modest, it marks a critical step toward our long-term goal of reaching 26% by 2027.
For us, the success of the program was to witness the real transformations. Five interns are now permanent employees at the Department of Energy and Minerals of the MoWEM and at ZURA. Khairiya Omar Kombo is one of them. Her journey is just one example of the tangible outcomes of this initiative.
Lessons learned and next steps
As a team, what we learned from the ZESTA Internship Program is that creating real change requires more than good intentions—it demands structure, mentorship, and a commitment to seeing things through. The program taught us the value of hands-on experience, and how critical it is to give people space to grow in a supportive environment.
Moving forward, we are committed to continuing this work and refining the program to ensure even greater success in the years to come. The next step is to scale the program, introduce more mentorship opportunities, and ensure that the women who participate have access to long-term career pathways in the energy sector.
Conclusion
Delivering the ZESTA Internship Program was both a challenge and a privilege. We saw firsthand how targeted interventions can break down barriers and create lasting change. The young women we worked with throughout the ZESTA Internship Program didn’t just gain skills: they became part of the future of Zanzibar’s energy sector. As we look to the future, we’re optimistic that this program will continue to play a key role in creating a more inclusive, more equitable workforce in Zanzibar. The progress we’ve made so far is just the beginning.
Join the Conversation