Energising Women to Advance the Energy Transition in the SADC Region Mentoring Programme 2026

This mentorship programme strives to empower women energy professionals from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Now in its second edition, the initiative specifically aims to advance the careers of women from junior to mid-level management roles, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to nurture their professional growth. Through mentoring, networking opportunities, and skill-building, the programme fosters leadership potential and enhances participants’ contributions to the sustainable energy sector.

The mentoring programme is open to women with SADC nationality and 3–5 years of relevant experience in energy or development. All participants will be matched with a mentor correlating to their professional and personal goals. Mentees will also gain access to online knowledge transfer sessions and networking opportunities.

The mentoring programme is led by the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) in collaboration with the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of International Partnerships Austria.

ABOUT SACREEE: SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) is mandated by the Member States to promote sustainable energy for improved energy access & security. For more information, visit the SACREEE website.

ABOUT ADA: Combating poverty, promoting peace and protecting the environment: These are the three major concerns of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of International Partnerships Austria. Please visit the ADA’s website to learn more.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must identify as women and have nationality of a SADC member country.
• They should possess 3–5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proficiency in English, which is the programme’s working language.
• Participants should be able to commit approximately 3-4 hours per month to the programme.

How to Apply:
If you meet the criteria and are passionate about accelerating your career in the energy sector, please fill in the application form.

Supporting as a Mentor:
The programme is also looking for senior professionals working in the energy sector to serve as mentors and support the personal and professional development of participants. If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor (which involves approx. 1 – 1.5 hours of engagement per month), kindly fill-in the Mentor Datasheet. The mentee-mentor pairing process will be based on how closely the goals of the mentee match the skills and experience of the mentor.

Kindly note that the programme will be carried out in English and professional working proficiency is required.

The deadline for applications is January 24^th 2026 11:59 pm CAT.

Please email questions to info@globalwomennet.org. For more information about GWNET’s mentorship initiatives, see here.