Jakaya Kikwete Foundation out to bridge gender gaps in leadership

The programme will initially begin with 25 young women from various sectors, selected to benefit from its training and mentorship opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation chief executive Vanessa Anyoti said the programme was designed to address the persistent under-representation of women in leadership.

“Although women make up more than half of Tanzania’s population, they hold less than 30 percent of leadership and decision-making positions in our country and across Africa,” she said.

“Today is not just a launch — it is the beginning of a journey to nurture young women leaders who will become kinara — beacons of hope, resilience and inspiration for Tanzania, Africa and the world,” Ms Anyoti added.

She explained that Kinara was created after two years of research and engagement with over 130 young women, whose insights shaped the curriculum.

“We asked them directly: what challenges do you face and what support would help you excel? Their answers shaped what we are launching today.”

The programme aims to equip young women with leadership knowledge, practical skills, mentorship and networks while fostering values such as inclusivity, collaboration and accountability.

Participants will also engage in constructive dialogue and solution-building on community and national challenges, creating a platform for youth-led innovation.

“Our expected outcomes are ambitious. We want to increase the number of young women who are confident, competent and visible in leadership spaces.

We aim to strengthen communities through innovative solutions, build sustainable partnerships and establish a long-term culture of mentorship and transformative leadership,” Ms Anyoti said.

The 18-month programme combines structured training, personalised mentoring, peer learning and both online and in-person sessions, culminating in a graduation event to celebrate achievements.

The hybrid format ensures flexibility and accessibility while fostering meaningful connections among participants and mentors.

Delivering the keynote address, former Tanzanian High Commissioner to the UK and former ambassador to the US Mwanaidi Maajar urged participants to embrace resilience and self-discipline as they embark on their leadership journey.

“Leadership starts with leading yourself. If you cannot manage yourself, you cannot lead others,” she said.

Ms Maajar encouraged the women to ignore stereotypes and prove their worth through action, noting that society often doubts women’s capabilities. “Gracefully show doubters that you are better than they imagined.”

Drawing from her own experience, Ms Maajar underscored the importance of personal discipline, time management and deliberate decision-making in building a successful career.

She told the participants that their choices of friendships, how they allocate their time and the way they balance family life with professional responsibilities would all determine the kind of leaders they become.

The former envoy also highlighted the economic case for empowering women, citing research that shows closing the gender gap in employment could boost Tanzania’s GDP by nearly five percent.

“When women lead, organisations prosper—and so does the nation,” she said.

While acknowledging the progress made under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s historic leadership, Ms Maajar stressed that systemic barriers persist in both the public and private sectors.

She said women remain under-represented in senior positions, making programmes like Kinara vital for accelerating gender parity and challenged participants to make the most of the opportunity, reminding them that leadership requires courage, confidence and consistency.

“Stay committed. Stay the course. Leadership requires vision and resilience. Do not give up when challenges come your way.”