How Zena climbed to the pinnacle of power

ZANZIBAR: EVERY great journey begins with a single step, and Zena Ahmed Said’s steps have led her to become a true shining star in public service.

This isn’t just about leadership; it’s about the personal journey of discipline, resilience, and deep wisdom that has defined her. Her name is synonymous with dedication and national pride, a living example of how one woman’s unwavering commitment can transform every role she embraces and leave a lasting impact.

For many women across Tanzania and beyond, Engineer Zena is not just a leader, but a symbol of possibility, hope, and purpose-driven ambition. Her journey, marked by vision, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment, has earned her a well-deserved Five-Star reputation in the sectors of governance and public administration.

Eng Zena Said made history in January 2021, appointed as the Chief Secretary of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, becoming the first woman to hold that prestigious position.

This landmark achievement is the culmination of a career that began from humble beginnings and saw her navigate a unique professional Uturn.

“I started my primary education at the Ubungo National Housing Primary School in 1985 and then went to Jangwani Secondary School,” Zena recalls.

She pursued her first degree in Engineering in Turkey at Bogaziçi University, a path she admits wasn’t a childhood dream.

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“Growing up, I never even knew if there was a career called Engineering, she says, explaining that her entry into the field was influenced by an education loan’s conditions to study science-related subjects After completing her secondary education with excellent results, Eng Zena made a choice that defied societal expectations as she got married. While many assumed this would mark the end of her academic aspirations, for Zena it was simply the beginning.

“I wanted to start a family early, but that didn’t mean I had forgotten about education,” she said.

Through her own initiative and with the support of an interest-free loan from the Islamic Development Bank, Zena secured her engineering degree, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Procurement Management from Turin University in Italy in 2010, and a postgraduate Diploma in Economic Diplomacy in 2020.

Upon returning home, Zena faced the all-too-familiar challenge of unemployment. She sent out more than 30 job applications, receiving only a few polite rejections.

“I wrote over 30 job applications. Fewer than ten even replied, mostly to say they had no vacancies. No one ever followed up,” she recalls.

But Zena was undeterred. Her breakthrough came in 2002 when she joined Tanroads headquarters. From that point forward, her career was a true reflection to accountability and innovation.

She transitioned from engineering maintenance to public procurement, demonstrating not just technical skill, but adaptability and strategic insight. Her performance caught the eye of national leadership.

In 2016, the late President Dr John Pombe Magufuli appointed her as Regional Administrative Secretary for Tanga, a landmark appointment that recognized both her competence and her unwavering work ethic.

After nearly four years in Tanga, Zena was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, where she served for 11 months before being elevated to one of the most senior roles in the Zanzibar government as Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Revolutionary Council.

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This is the highest-ranking non-political office in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Her rise was no accident; it was the result of years of exemplary service, professional discipline, and unshakable integrity. Zena masterfully balances the demands of high office with her responsibilities at home.

“At the office, I am the Chief Secretary. But the moment I leave work; I take off that hat at the gate. At home, I wear the hat of a mother and a wife,” she said.

For Zena, leadership is not a license to abandon family life. Instead, it is a call to excel in every role – professional and personal. Her story challenges the false narrative that women must choose between family and career. She is proof that both can coexist with dignity and success, emphasizing the importance of planning and a supportive partner.

“My husband has always been a very big support, and he doesn’t give me any undue pressure,” she said.

Zena openly challenges outdated views that equate leadership with loudness or aggression.

“Men’s aggressiveness is often seen as a leadership trait, so when women are calm, they’re assumed to be weak. But real strength lies in making the right decisions at the right time,” she asserts.

Her leadership style is grounded not in volume, but in vision. She promotes empathy, wisdom, and decisive action, hallmarks of transformative leadership in today’s complex world. To Zena, leadership is about more than rank or titles; it’s about how people are treated.

“Every human being deserves respect whether educated or not. We should not belittle anyone because of their position,” she says.

This belief anchors her leadership philosophy, one that values people above protocol, and service above status. Zena has carved a path marked by humility, strength, and service.

Her life is not merely a career trajectory; it is a movement. A movement that reminds women and men alike that dignity, discipline, and vision can elevate not just a person, but a nation. From humble beginnings to becoming one of Zanzibar’s top government executives and the first woman to hold her current high office, Zena’s journey is both remarkable and instructive.

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She has challenged stereotypes, redefined what it means to lead as a woman, and proved that excellence knows no gender. Grounded in values, driven by purpose, and guided by a deep sense of responsibility, Zena represents the kind of leadership the world urgently needs one that uplifts others, honours dignity, and delivers results.

Her message to women aspiring to be leaders is clear, women should do justice to the position they are entrusted with. Let them clearly know that some/other responsibilities should never affect their official responsibilities.