RISING WOMAN 2025: The women trailblazers in the maritime sector at the TEAGT
It was a full day working with five women doing an amazing job in the maritime industry at the Tanzania East Africa Gateway Terminal Limited (TEAGTL). The women are at the forefront of operations at the TEAGTL, which handles transit cargo from the neighbouring landlocked countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Malawi. SALOME GREGORY of The Citizen has their inspiring stories:
Lucie Bwana
She is the Head of Human Resources at the TEAGTL and had some apprehensions about the male-dominated workforce as she was transitioning into the maritime industry from a completely different sector.
However, after joining TEAGTL, I was pleasantly surprised to see that women were fairly well-represented across the organisation and in operational roles as well, with their numbers growing due to our empowerment-centric approach.
“At TEAGTL, we believe that diversity is not just a metric to achieve; it is a driving force behind innovation and operational excellence. We aim to foster an environment where women can thrive by offering training, career development, and equal opportunities,” says Lucie.
TEAGTL is enthusiastic about welcoming more women to be part of this transformative journey.
Happiness Marandu
She is an engineering data analyst at the TEAGTL, who worked in the banking sector before she transitioned to the industrial sector and later joined this company in her current position.
She says female representation in positions like hers is important because it demonstrates that women are also capable of handling roles (or taking top positions) that have traditionally been dominated by men in society.
Her main responsibilities involve preparing reports on equipment and the daily, weekly, and monthly performance of the engineering department. For her, fulfilling these responsibilities was very challenging in the beginning as she was working towards gaining trust among male colleagues at the department.
“At first, it was difficult to gain the trust of the male colleagues I found in the department of up to more than 65 men and just one woman. However, I managed to overcome this challenge by proving my capability through my work performance in the engineering department,” she says.
Now the department has two women, Happines and a female intern. She says the work environment and system are structured in a way that makes these jobs seem suitable only for men. She calls for trust and equality for women as a way of promoting gender equality in spaces that are male-dominated.
“I encourage all women to believe in themselves, work hard in whatever they do, and when given an opportunity, showcase that women can successfully handle roles that society traditionally associates with men,” says Happiness.
Bona Felix
She works in Operations as a gate supervisor whose career journey is fueled by her passion for structure, efficiency, and problem-solving, which made operations a natural fit for her.
At the TEAGTL, she checks the permits that are in order with the correct container number and container seals that are intact before allowing them in and out of terminal gates.
“My journey started with an eagerness to learn and a willingness to take on challenges. I worked my way up by being detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to understanding the complexities of port operations. Perseverance and continuous learning have helped me grow into my role as a gate supervisor,” said Bona.
She said being a woman in operations has had its challenges, from breaking stereotypes to proving her capabilities in a male-dominated space. Her confidence, resilience, and expertise speak louder than anything else along her career journey.
Commenting on the biggest challenges at her work, such as dealing with discrepancies in documentation, missing permits, or incorrect container seals, which can cause delays and security risks.
In addressing this, she relies strictly on verification processes, clear communication with her team, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to resolve issues quickly as she stays proactive to help prevent potential disruptions.
‘My advice to young women is to embrace challenges, stay curious, and never be afraid to take up space in this industry. Hard work and determination will always open doors,” said Bona.
As a leader, she believes in a supportive leadership style that fosters teamwork and accountability, as she is guided by integrity, consistency, and excellence.
“I never compromise on these. I believe in leading by example, empowering my team, and ensuring that every task is executed with precision and professionalism,” she says.
Being asked about the improvements to be made in terminal gate operations to enhance efficiency and security in the industry, she said automation and artificial intelligence-powered verification systems could significantly enhance efficiency by reducing manual errors and processing times.
Strengthening security measures through better tracking and monitoring systems would help prevent fraud or security breaches. Regular training for gate personnel is also key to ensuring that everyone stays up-to-date with best practices.
Feliciana Urio
She Works in the Operations department and is a Rubber Tyred Gantry crane (RTG) operator. She is the only woman among the other 120 male operators who operates a mobile gantry crane, also known as a transtainer.
The machine is used to handle and stack intermodal containers in container yards. They are responsible for the safe and efficient loading, unloading, and moving of containers. I had a brief chat with her:
As an RTG machine operator, how does this machine help improve efficiency at the terminal?
The RTG greatly simplifies the work of organising and loading containers. It serves many customers in a short period of time, thus increasing the company’s revenue.
What challenges do you face while operating the RTG machine, and how do you overcome them?
Operating the RTG is like any other job, so challenges are inevitable. For example, working under high pressure, lacking time for rest, etc.
As a leader in the operations department, how do you use your position to inspire and guide young women who are interested in pursuing careers in the machinery or equipment operation sector?
I encourage them to overcome fear and believe that anything is possible with God’s guidance. I also suggest that they further their studies in various fields at the Port Training Institute. When opportunities are announced, they should apply without fear.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in a male-dominated sector, and how do you overcome them?
One of the challenges I face is that when pregnant, you cannot perform certain tasks, such as repeatedly climbing in and out of the equipment. Sometimes you experience back pain, etc. However, by doing light exercises, the body stays in good condition.
How do you promote gender equality and encourage young women to ensure they come forward for rare positions that are typically held by men?
I encourage women to step forward because this job is not difficult; it is manageable. Most importantly, pray to God for courage.
What leadership qualities are most important for every woman to possess?
Believe in yourself, knowing that with God’s help, everything is possible. Be honest, dedicated, and work hard so that the company can provide opportunities for others through those in leadership positions.
Do you think the role of an RTG operator can serve as an example for girls who aspire to work in technical or machinery operations?
Certainly. Studying technical or operational jobs is often viewed as a male-dominated field, but when positions are announced, women are given priority.
Blandina Daraja
She works in the billing and customer service department, issues invoices, and deals with customers on a daily basis.
Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got to this position.
My name is Blandina Daraja. I work at TEAGTL in the Billing Department. Several factors. I was raised in an environment that provided equal opportunities for all family members. My parents closely monitored my progress to ensure I achieved my goals. I have always been hardworking and willing to learn new things to keep up with the evolving technological landscape.
What are your responsibilities, and why is it important to have female representation in such roles?
My responsibilities include ensuring that our department issues invoices to clients on time and with accurate figures so they can collect their cargo without delays. I ensure customers pay all necessary charges before retrieving their goods from the port. Female representation in such roles is crucial not only because we are capable but also because it brings diverse perspectives to the table. Fortunately, our company provides many learning opportunities, so it is up to us to actively participate and make the most of these chances.
What is the importance of billing, and what is the process involved?
Billing is the core of revenue collection and one of the first steps in enabling a client to retrieve their cargo from the port. As is commonly known, containers have a designated free storage period upon arrival: five days for goods destined for the local market and fifteen to thirty days for transit cargo. Providing timely service is essential to prevent clients from incurring unnecessary costs.
There are special systems that clients use to request cost estimates for their cargo. These requests are received directly in our system. Once we verify that all submitted documents are complete, we process the invoice, and the client proceeds with the payment before obtaining clearance to collect their container.
As a woman in this role, what makes you unique compared to men in similar positions?
I ensure that the goals set for me are achieved. Additionally, I remain adaptable to evolving industry demands by continuously upgrading my skills through specialised training and dedicating extra time when necessary to meet departmental and company objectives.
What challenges do you face, and how do you address them?
Most challenges stem from interdependencies within and outside the company. For instance, sometimes clients delay collecting their cargo due to delayed documentation from other institutions. When they eventually come to us and encounter increased charges, they assume we are the ones responsible. However, the company also incurs costs for storing their cargo, so clients must contribute to those expenses. The key solution is to keep educating clients on the importance of tracking each step in real time to avoid unnecessary charges.
In your opinion, why don’t we see many women in such positions, and what can be done to increase their numbers?
It is possible that many women are unaware of the opportunities available at the port. Cargo handling involves many processes before a client receives their goods. This means there are multiple departments, including operations, engineering, accounting, and human resources. These are all opportunities that women can explore to showcase their skills.
What makes you proud of your job as a female leader?
Being actively involved in the industry and directly contributing to national development, especially in a critical sector like the port, gives me great pride. It proves that women are not just making empty claims about their capabilities; we are here, working hard, and delivering results.
Welcome everyone, let us work together to build our port into a model and a key hub for East and Central Africa.
Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
