Women and youth make up a significant portion of Tanzania’s workforce, yet they face major challenges in accessing formal employment, securing decent wages, and overcoming social and economic barriers.
The KINARA Young Women Leaders Mentorship Program was launched on the 2nd of September 2025 and brought together 23 dynamic young women leaders as the first cohort. KINARA is Swahili for beacon and stands for Knowledge, Inspiration, Network, Action, Resilience, and Accountability.
The KINARA program aims to assist dynamic Tanzanian young women leaders, aged 25–35 years, who are in the early stages of their careers to identify and accelerate their personal and leadership development journey as agents of change. Through a blend of training and mentorship exposure, the program nurtures confidence, competence, and connection among emerging women leaders.
Specifically, the program seeks to:
- Provide a mentorship platform that connects young women leaders with peers and mentors, fostering the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and insights that enhance understanding and engagement in leadership matters.
- Strengthen leadership capabilities by supporting mentees in developing their skills, knowledge, and emotional intelligence.
- Expand professional networks and visibility of mentees across leadership platforms within and beyond their sectors.
- Bridge the confidence gap by creating a safe and supportive space for learning, growth, and leadership development.
- Advocate for and promote recognition of young women leaders’ active participation and influence across various platforms as agents of change.
The guest of Honor, Amb. Mwanaidi S. Maajar, Chair of the University of Dar es Salaam Council and JMKF Trustee, emphasized the importance of cultivating leadership skills early, noting that “Through mentorship and personal development, KINARA empowers young women to become visionary leaders, laying a strong foundation for inclusive leadership in Tanzania’s future.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Institute of Leadership and Advocacy (ILA) highlighted that, “The KINARA Programme is a journey of rediscovering self, redefining purpose, and reclaiming confidence. At ILA, we believe that true leadership begins with self-awareness and is nurtured through community. Through this initiative, we are grounding young women in authenticity, resilience, and ethical leadership, empowering them to rise, lead, and create lasting impact within their systems and society.”
