%20(2).png)
When Amani Al-Azzam walked into Jordan’s National Electric Power Company as its first female electrical engineer, she expected to solve technical problems. What she discovered instead was that electricity was never just about wires and systems.
Very quickly, she realized, it was about something much bigger: "Electricity is an integrated system central to economic development and national stability," she explains and points out that energy also means resilience and unlocking new opportunities for jobs and her country's economic growth.
From engineering to national strategy
In those early days, some colleagues became important allies, helping her navigate the complexities of the sector. But support did not erase the reality of being a pioneer. As one of the few women in a male-dominated technical field, she also encountered skepticism, the kind that tests confidence rather than competence. However, this did not prevent her from making great strides in her career.
Over the years, Amani moved through a series of leadership roles, gaining exposure not just to the technical workings of Jordan’s power system but to the strategic vulnerabilities underpinning it. By the time she was appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jordan in 2016, the stakes were clear.
Jordan’s heavy reliance on imported energy left it exposed to global market volatility and regional disruptions. Her role placed her at the center of the efforts to rethink how Jordan powers its economy.
"For Jordan, just energy transition is a strategic necessity," Amani says. Diversifying energy sources, expanding renewables, upgrading infrastructure and improving efficiency were not only to meet climate goals. They were essential steps toward reducing import dependence and strengthening long-term stability. A more resilient system helped unlock new investment opportunities and create jobs aligned with the country’s development ambitions.
The leadership gap
But building a resilient energy system requires qualified people. "The energy transition and green industrialization demand the best available talent," Amani explains. In a region facing complex development and energy challenges, "Limiting participation based on gender is not only unjust, it is inefficient."
Encouragingly, more women in Jordan are now studying engineering and entering the energy sector. They play an increasingly important role in innovation and entrepreneurship. With the emergence of new areas such as smart grids, digitalization and artificial intelligence within the sector, greater opportunities are becoming available for women to contribute, whether in technical, planning or innovation-related roles, she explains.
Amani believes that the most effective initiatives to empower women combine practical training, technical support, access to finance and professional networking. "When women are equipped with skills, resources and connections, they are better positioned to transform ideas into sustainable businesses that contribute to national development," she notes.
The challenge, she says, has evolved. "The more pressing issue is supporting their progression into leadership positions," says Amani. Structural barriers, unconscious biases and limited access to networks can still slow advancement into leadership roles, she explains. Addressing these challenges requires supportive policies, enabling work environments, mentoring programmes and genuine confidence in women’s leadership capabilities.
Integrating qualified women into planning and decision-making processes improves the quality and practicality of programmes. Diversity adds depth to how challenges are understood and addressed. "Women leaders often bring perspectives shaped by diverse experiences, which can enhance community acceptance and long-term sustainability of projects," she explains. In sectors such as energy and climate action, where policies directly affect households, businesses and local communities, this inclusivity strengthens outcomes.
Regional cooperation
Jordan’s progress has also been shaped by collaboration beyond its borders. As a founding member of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)1, the country has benefited from its knowledge sharing, capacity building and policy support to accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency uptake across the Arab region. Professional regional networks for women in energy, like the RENEWMENA network, are valuable tools to expand opportunities.
Looking ahead
Jordan’s energy transition is still unfolding. Its success will depend not only on technology or policy but on people and especially on the leadership that shapes it. For Amani, empowered women expand the pool of leadership, innovation and problem-solving capacity that Jordan needs to build a future that is resilient, inclusive and capable of supporting sustainable growth. Through her work, she is helping turn this vision into reality by ensuring more women are equipped to lead and shape the country’s sustainable energy future.
1 RCREEE is one of eight regional centresunder the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC)programme managed by UNIDO. For more information: https://www.gn-sec.net/.
