Recently, FLONE initiative, in partnership with GIZ Kenya, held a workshop themed “Pathways to Career Advancement & Entrepreneurship for Women in E-Mobility. The workshop convened a multidisciplinary range of stakeholders within the transportation and e-mobility ecosystem: academia, the private sector, government parastatals and manufacturers of e-mobility solutions.
Based on the feedback gathered during the 1st WIE Co-creation workshop held in February, the majority of the women highlighted a lack of information on available pathways and opportunities for career advancement, including entrepreneurship within the e-mobility ecosystem. According to the needs assessment report, 82% have not accessed any form of mentorship and career coaching, with 92% terming it as very important.
Why mentorship matters in building inclusive mobility systems
As Kenya and the world at large transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions, women stay severely marginalized, especially in technical roles, leadership positions and decision-making positions. In addition, in the wake of rapid technological advancement, shifting job markets, and complex social challenges, building strong professional networks and mentorship pathways has never been more essential.
At the same time, a growing number of young women are entering the space with fresh ideas, bold ambitions, and a drive to shape the future of mobility. Yet many face barriers to entry, limited access to industry networks, and a lack of visible role models. This makes structured mentorship and professional linkages not just beneficial but essential.
It is in view of this that we officially launched our Women in E-Mobility Mentorship Program, bringing together 10 emerging professionals and 10 seasoned leaders in the sector for a three-month guided mentorship journey.
The session provided space for mentors and mentees to co-create tailored action plans, align expectations, and begin building the trust and structure that will guide their engagement. This pilot cohort marks only the starting point. As we gain insights and learn from this inaugural cohort, we envision a future where even more women across Africa’s e-mobility sector are engaged in advancing leadership and innovation within the e-mobility space.
Connecting emerging professionals with experienced leaders can accelerate learning and help build a more inclusive and gender-equitable e-mobility ecosystem across Africa. We all start somewhere, full of potential but unsure about the road ahead. That’s why bridging the gap between ambition and experience could make a world of a difference.
The session entailed a speed networking session and a moderated panel discussion from industry leaders drawn from different organizations. The goal of the session was to spark meaningful conversations, spotlight opportunities for women in the sector, and foster cross-sector linkages that can drive inclusive innovation and collaboration. Women in e-mobility established connections with industry players, leading to strengthened collaboration across the sector. This was in response to the three pillars identified to steer the women in the E-mobility network following the roll-out of the needs assessment at the initial stages of formulating the webinar.
To our first cohort of mentees, congratulations! We are proud to begin this exciting journey with you, and to our mentors, thank you for stepping up to guide, inspire, and share your experience. Your commitment to lifting others as you lead is the foundation of this program.