At just 19 years old, Oakley Mangezi is already laying the foundation for the future she wants to build. A Civil Engineering student at Bulawayo Polytechnic and a participant in the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, Oakley represents a new generation of young women stepping boldly into fields that have long been male-dominated.

For Oakley, civil engineering is more than a programme of study. It is a lifelong dream connected to purpose, possibility and national development. “I have always wanted to build,” she says. Her ambition is to contribute to Zimbabwe’s infrastructure through modern structures that embrace clean energy, sustainable design and world-class standards.

In a class estimated at more than 80 students, Oakley is one of an estimated 20 female students. Rather than being discouraged by the numbers, she sees her presence as part of a larger shift: young women claiming space in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and proving that they belong at the centre of Africa’s infrastructure future.

A Dream Rooted in Building

Oakley’s passion for building began with a simple but powerful desire: to create. Today, that desire is growing into a professional vision. She wants to be part of designing and developing infrastructure that responds to the needs of communities while also reflecting the possibilities of innovation, clean energy and sustainable development.

Challenging Norms in Engineering

Engineering classrooms across the region continue to reflect gender gaps, but Oakley’s story shows what is possible when young women are supported to pursue their ambitions. Her journey is not only about personal achievement; it is also about representation, confidence and the belief that girls and young women can lead in technical fields.

Through choosing civil engineering, Oakley is challenging expectations and helping to redefine what leadership in infrastructure can look like. She is taking up space, learning boldly and preparing to contribute to solutions that can shape Zimbabwe’s development for years to come.

Learning, Innovation and Africa’s Future

This week, Oakley is part of the FAWEZI team at the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2026, where leaders, innovators and change-makers are advancing conversations on the digital transformation of education across Africa. Her presence at the Expo connects her personal journey to a wider continental movement: expanding opportunity, supporting innovation and ensuring that young people are equipped to participate meaningfully in Africa’s future.

Oakley’s story is a reminder that investing in girls’ education is not only about access to classrooms. It is about opening pathways into leadership, innovation and economic transformation. Through the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, young women like Oakley are gaining the support and confidence to pursue ambitious dreams and contribute to their communities.

Her message is clear: young women can build, lead and transform the future of Zimbabwe.