Scholarships open energy careers for women

DAR ES SALAAM: FOR many girls, engineering has always seemed like a world meant for someone else. The laboratories, machines and technical drawings often appear far removed from their everyday lives. But a new scholarship programme is helping to change that story.

This year, 15 young women will receive fully funded master’s scholarships in sustainable energy, giving them a chance to study advanced energy technologies and prepare for careers in a sector that is rapidly expanding.

The opportunity is more than a scholarship. It is a reminder that women can build careers in fields once dominated by men and contribute directly to the country’s development.

Launching the application window in Dar es Salaam, the Ministry of Energy said the programme is helping address the shortage of skilled professionals needed to support the country’s energy transition.

“Our national targets cannot be achieved through policies, technology and financing alone. We also need skilled people who can implement these policies, develop new solutions and improve existing systems,” said Mr Emillian Nyanda, Head of the ministry’s Environmental Management Unit.

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According to the ministry, graduates from earlier cohorts are already working in energy institutions and development projects, while some have started businesses offering professional energy services. Their journeys show that when women receive the right support, education can become a pathway to employment, leadership and entrepreneurship.

At the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), female enrolment in engineering programmes has been rising steadily, reflecting growing confidence among young women to pursue science and technology careers.

DIT Rector Prof Preksedis Ndomba said women perform equally well in engineering when given practical training and encouragement.

“Women perform equally well in engineering when they are given the right opportunities and practical training,” he said.

For a young woman who enjoys mathematics, science or problem-solving, the energy sector now offers opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Renewable energy, clean cooking technologies and energy management are creating new professions that need skilled women. Perhaps the most inspiring part of the pro