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  • Africa’s Journey to Self-Sufficiency: The Power of Intra-Africa Trade

    Africa’s Journey to Self-Sufficiency: The Power of Intra-Africa Trade

    Africa, with its vast agricultural resources and untapped potential, holds the key to overcoming food security challenges and achieving self-sufficiency. The continent possesses an immense capacity to feed itself and even become a major player in global food markets. However, the continent has long been dependent on external markets for its food needs. Africa spends approximately $50 billion annually on food imports. This heavy reliance on imports creates a sense of vulnerability and dependency that hinders Africa’s progress towards self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.

    Presently, regional trade within Africa stands at just 14.4% of total African exports, indicating an underutilization of trade opportunities within the continent. However, there is immense potential for growth and collaboration through increased inter-Africa trade. According to UNCTAD forecasts, implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could boost regional trade by about 33% and reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51%. These statistics highlight the urgent need to prioritise and invest in continental trade as a pathway to self-sufficiency and economic growth.

    Promoting intra-Africa trade is a powerful strategy that can unlock Africa’s agricultural potential, reduce import bills, and strengthen local economies. By prioritizing trade within the continent, African nations can maximise local production and consumption, harness their unique agricultural resources, and create a self-reliant and resilient food system. This shift away from heavy reliance on external markets empowers African nations to tap into their capabilities and address food security challenges.

    Intra-Africa trade fosters the development of resilient supply chains capable of adapting to local conditions, reducing Africa’s vulnerability to external disruptions. Robust supply chains facilitate the efficient distribution of agricultural products, minimize post-harvest losses, and ensure timely access to nutritious food for all Africans. By incentivizing farmers to produce higher-quality crops and meet market demands, regional trade integration drives innovation, investment, and job creation within the agricultural sector. This enhanced productivity not only benefits local markets but also positions African farmers as key players in the global agricultural landscape.

    The AfCFTA presents a unique opportunity to boost regional economic integration, reduce import bills, and drive transformative economic growth. However, the wins under the AfCFTA would be at the back of strong policy measures to improve the trade environment including the removal or non-tariff barriers to trade, improving trade infrastructure and logistics, telecommunication infrastructure for digital trade, and access to productive and trade finance.

    Governments, regional organizations, and stakeholders must prioritize and invest in initiatives that promote trade integration. By fostering an enabling environment, harmonizing regulations, and investing in infrastructure, African nations can create a conducive ecosystem for intra-Africa trade. It is essential to seize this moment and unite, trade together, and pave the way toward a prosperous and self-reliant future.

    AGRA recognizes the transformative power of trade amongst African nations and plays a pivotal role in driving policy reforms and institutional support. AGRA’s efforts focus on strengthening trade relationships, harmonizing regulations, and addressing cross-border barriers. Through its advocacy, capacity-building programs, and knowledge-sharing platforms, we empower farmers and agribusinesses to actively participate in trading. By creating an enabling environment that encourages investments, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector, as an organisation, AGRA contributes to the realisation of Africa’s self-sufficiency and economic growth.

    Our approach also involves promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, investment in public and private trade institutions and companies to strengthen their capacities to participate in trade, generating data and evidence to inform policy and investment decisions, as well as create platforms for knowledge sharing and policy advocacy. For instance, AGRA’s market shaping investments aim to strengthen suppliers and off-takers’ capacities to comply with food safety requirements such as aflatoxin levels through trainings on post-harvest management including warehouse and storage management, Good Agricultural and Hygiene Practices, etc.

    Similarly, to support a more predictable environment for regional food trade and provide some flexibility in reducing the time and costs of trading, AGRA through the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is implementing the Mutual Recognition Framework/Agreement to remove the need for multiple inspections and testing in the exporting and importing countries thereby contributing to increased trade flow. To forester evidence-based decision-making, AGRA through its regional food trade flagship and in collaboration with regional bodies such as the COMESA has rolled out the Regional Food Balance Sheet (RFBS) to support governments in their market intervention decisions on the back of food security reasons. AGRA continues to produce its monthly Food Security Monitor shedding lights on global and national food security issues, again, to support governments’ decisions on food security and investment decisions in the agri-food sector. By fostering collaboration among African nations and supporting policy reforms, AGRA aims to create a conducive ecosystem for regional trade.

    AGRA’s efforts in driving regional trade integration are invaluable and contribute significantly to Africa’s journey towards self-sufficiency and improved livelihoods. Together, with visionary leadership and collective action, we can unlock Africa’s full potential, ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and fostering inclusive development and shared prosperity for all Africans.

    The road to self-sufficiency may have its challenges, but the rewards are immense. Africa has the capacity, resources, and determination to chart its path towards a resilient and prosperous future. By embracing the power of intra-Africa trade and investing in agricultural development, Africa can rewrite its narrative and become a beacon of hope, resilience, and self-reliance for the world. Now is the time for African nations to unite, trade together, and build a continent where food security is a reality, economic growth is sustainable, and the well-being of its people is secured.

    The Writer, Daniel Njiwa,  is the Head of Regional Food Trade and Resilience at AGRA

  • Pwani Oil Diversifies to Home Care and Personal Care Manufacturing, Invests in State-Of-The-Art Plant

    Pwani Oil Diversifies to Home Care and Personal Care Manufacturing, Invests in State-Of-The-Art Plant

    ·    The company anticipates that this new investment will contribute more than 20 per cent of its overall business by the year 2032.

    ·   The Homecare and Personal care manufacturing plant boasts an impressive production capacity, enabling the manufacturing of 40 tonnes of Homecare products and 12 tonnes of personal care products daily

    Leading edible oils and detergent manufacturer Pwani Oil Limited has announced a significant investment in an ultra-modern Home Care and Personal Care manufacturing plant, the first of its kind in the East Africa Region.

    Located inside the Kikambala factory, the plant is an addition to the edible oils and soap plant and is part of Pwani Oil’s commitment to proactively meet the ever-evolving needs and preferences of Kenyan consumers.

    As a liquid detergent plant, the additional establishment will focus on manufacturing an extensive range of home and personal care products, a diversification moves away from Pwani Oils’ renowned oil-based products.  This will include an array of innovative solutions such as dishwashers, floor pastes, fabric softeners, milking jelly, shower gels, hand and body wash, shampoo, conditioners, and body lotions, among others.

    Speaking at the new plant, Pwani Oil Commercial Director Rajul Malde said, “With this expansion, we are not only diversifying our product offerings but also demonstrating our commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation. We are excited to bring these high-quality, environmentally friendly products to Kenyan households and contribute to a greener future.“

    The liquid detergent plant boasts an impressive production capacity, enabling the manufacture of 40 tonnes of dishwashing pastes, dishwashing liquid, and floor cleaners daily. Additionally, it will produce 12 tonnes of personal care products per day, encompassing milking jelly, petroleum jelly, lotions, creams, and an assortment of soaps. These high-quality products are expected to have a shelf life exceeding 2.5 years, ensuring long-lasting freshness and effectiveness.

    With a vision for growth and a commitment to innovation, Pwani Oil anticipates that this new investment will contribute more than 20 per cent of its overall business by the year 2032.

    Pwani Oil’s decision to expand into the liquid detergent market was driven by extensive consumer research, which identified a gap in the industry for products that offer enhanced freshness and additional features. The company responded to this demand by developing floor cleaners that repel insects, providing consumers with an added benefit to their cleaning routines.

    On Safety and environmental responsibility, the plant is designed to be environmentally sustainable and adheres to stringent manufacturing standards as this was a central consideration in its establishment. It complies with Home Care and Food Care regulations, ensuring the highest level of safety for consumers.

    “We have implemented rigorous quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring that the products remain uncontaminated by bacteria. The entire production process is automated, eliminating the risk of human contact”. Said Malde.

    In addition, Sustainability is at the forefront of the plants and the entire Pwani oil operations. The company has made substantial investments to minimize its environmental impact. The liquid detergent plant incorporates a water treatment facility, enabling water recycling and conservation. Rainwater harvesting, in conjunction with water purifiers, helps to replenish the plant’s water supply.

    Moreover, Pwani Oil has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy by installing solar power plants across the facility, generating 1.2 megawatts of solar power and 1.4 megawatts of steam turbine-generated power. These initiatives highlight Pwani Oil’s dedication to sustainable practices and its contribution to a greener future.

    The inauguration of Pwani Oil’s liquid detergent plant and the introduction of its diverse range of home and personal care products represent a significant milestone for the company and the Kenyan market.

  • Summit urges African Governments to Promote Sustainable and Humane Animal Production Systems

    Summit urges African Governments to Promote Sustainable and Humane Animal Production Systems

    The 2nd Africa Protein Summit organized by World Animal Protection has called on the African Governments to promote sustainable and humane animal production systems to promote climate restoration.

    Dr. Victor Yamo, The Farming Campaigns Manager at World Animal protection said; “The rapid growth of the human population particularly in Africa, coupled with increasing affluence, has led to a surge in demand for animal products. Consequently, intensification of livestock production is gaining popularity to meet this demand. However, intensive livestock production is associated with significant animal abuse, water and environmental pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions, making it an unsustainable method of food production.”

    The two-day Protein Summit highlighted the urgent need to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of intensive livestock production systems and emphasized the importance of preserving traditional, resilient, and humane production systems that support small-scale farmers in the region.

    In the summit, presenters highlighted numerous negative impacts associated with intensive livestock production systems, including compromised animal welfare, public health concerns, and adverse effects on the environment and climate such as increased greenhouse gas emissions through deforestation for animal feed production and high fertilizer use. The excessive nutrient excretion from overfed animals further contributes to higher emissions. These negative externalities are often overlooked, particularly in developing nations striving to combat poverty and achieve food security.

    The Summit recognized that Africa’s green house gas emissions are mainly from the Agriculture, Forestry and other land-use change estimated at 65% of the continent’s emissions. It was further recognized that whilst there is room for the lowest meat consumption countries in Africa to increase rates of meat consumption to meet nutritional needs, embracing intensive livestock production systems will not only endanger food and nutrition security but also the livelihoods of small holder producers while worsening the superbug crisis and the climate crisis.

    The meeting agreed to call on African governments to:

    1. Acknowledge and regulate the green house gas emissions from animal agriculture and hold agricultural companies with high emissions accountable for their carbon footprint and low regard for animal welfare.
    2. Protect small holder livestock producers by empowering them with animal husbandry knowledge and skills while providing them with timely climate information and early warning systems to stay competitive in the market.
    3. Redirect subsidies provided to large agribusinesses towards smallholders, who are the backbone in feeding the growing population in Africa.
    4. Increase awareness on alternative protein sources that can be used to meet nutrition requirements while directing resources towards awareness creation to achieve attitude and behaviour change from intensive meat consumption to alternative protein sources.
    5. Finally, African governments need to bring stakeholders together to create a policy statement on sustainable agricultural production. All food systems actors must be engaged in a dialogue towards a humane and sustainable food system.
  • Huawei eyes automated transport sector with 5.5G connectivity

    Huawei eyes automated transport sector with 5.5G connectivity

    Huawei technologies is tapping into the burgeoning smart transport sector with its new 5.5G network capability that has been built to drive the accelerated digitalization of vehicles and intelligent traffic management systems.

    The firm said in a statement that the 5.5G deterministic network guarantees ultra-high reliability and reduced latency down to 4 milliseconds in a high-concurrency environment. Lower latency refers to a minimal delay in the processing of computer data over a network connection. The lower the processing latency, the closer it approaches real-time access.

    Li Peng, Huawei’s Senior Vice President and President of the Carrier BG was quoted saying that 5.5G will help cars sense their surroundings much more clearly, as the market quickly embraces the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), Vehicle to Everything (V2X), and connected intelligence.

    “An IoV with advanced sensing is a core component of intelligent traffic light systems, navigation on rainy and foggy days, beyond-line-of-sight sensing, and more. Level-4 autonomous vehicles are expected to hit the commercial market in 2025 and will require massive amounts of computing power and strong networks,” said Li.

    Pointing out that constant progress is being made in the areas of connected vehicles, Li stated that autonomous cars generate hundreds of terabytes of data each day that need to be uploaded to the cloud to support AI model training and algorithm updates. Since ICT services are essential for intelligent connected vehicles, Huawei will deepen its partnership with the transport industry to support these huge demands for computing power on clouds and intelligent real-time computing.

    He added the industry needs to innovate together with technology firms such as Huawei to meet increasing digital requirements in both the consumer and industrial markets.

    “The future is now. New business scenarios for people, homes, businesses, and vehicles are delivering new experiences. This is raising higher requirements for network capabilities. Enhanced network capabilities, like 10 Gbps downlink, 1 Gbps uplink, and 100 billion IoT connections, are creating a vast market space in 5.5G for carriers,” stated Li.

    He explained that the pursuit of the ultimate experience by a large number of users is driving the development of innovative content and applications, demanding that network operators deliver a 10 Gbps experience.

    This includes access to new frequency bands, such as the 6 GHz and mmWave bands, as well as sub-100 GHz spectrum. Huawei has already worked with multiple carriers to perform technical verification for the 6 GHz band. Field tests show that 10 Gbps downlink can be achieved on the 6 GHz band and that the band can also achieve co-coverage with C-band for a single site.

  • Global Cyber Security Firm Trend Micro Maintains Lead in Kshs 260 billion Cloud Security Market

    Global Cyber Security Firm Trend Micro Maintains Lead in Kshs 260 billion Cloud Security Market

    A new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) has ranked Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, as the largest vendor in the cloud workload security market, with a share more than twice that of its nearest competitor for the 5th consecutive year. The data appears in the report titled IDC Worldwide Cloud Workload Security Market Shares, 2022: A Shifting Landscape. 

     

    IDC’s report also highlights surging demand for cloud workload security. The overall size of the market increased by nearly 27% annually to reach Ksh 260 billion ($2.6bn) worldwide. While it did not go into specifics, the report expects that Trend Micro’s cloud-specific revenue is predicted to grow bigger than that of the second and third largest vendors combined.

    “Trend was early to spot the transformational potential in cloud and the need to secure this growing attack surface,” said Gareth Redelinghuys, Trend Micro Country Managing Director African Cluster. “With a 16% market share today, there’s no vendor out there that comes close to the depth of our threat intelligence and geographic diversity of our customer base. Our focus now is to give our customers what they’re increasingly demanding: a broad set of powerful cloud security capabilities delivered seamlessly to protect data no matter where it is.”

    This comes at a time when cloud migration continues its exponential growth in South Africa with 69% of businesses planning to increase their cloud spending in 2023. Seven out of ten chief information and technology officers have said that public cloud applications are key to their organisation’s digital transformation strategy.

    Yet as organisations migrate more of their mission-critical applications and workloads to cloud environments, they risk increased exposure to business disruption and data theft. The growing popularity of containers, and the accompanying move from monolithic to microservice architectures, is also highlighted by IDC as a fast-emerging risk factor.

    In the context of this increasing complexity, he noted that the firm remains committed to its mission to offer powerful protection, detection and response for data in every environment that can be managed from a centralised platform.

    “We also recognise that cloud does not operate in a vacuum. That’s why the cloud-native Vision One platform was built to help SecOps teams prioritize threat signals, increase productivity, and take rapid action to contain threats across email, endpoint, network, server and cloud infrastructure,” he added.

    To read an excerpt of the IDC, Worldwide Cloud Workload Security Market Shares, 2022: A Shifting Landscape, report please visit: https://resources.trendmicro.com/IDC-Cloud-Workload-Security-Overview.html

     

  • Startimes Awards first Lucky Winners of Recharge Buy and Win Promotion 

    Startimes Awards first Lucky Winners of Recharge Buy and Win Promotion 

    The campaign will run for two months from 15th June 2023 to 15th August 2023
    15th July 2023: Startimes Media has unveiled the first lucky winners of highly anticipated and ongoing two-month Recharge Buy and Win Promotion to mark 35 years of being in business.
    The promotion which commenced on the 15th of June 2023 and is set to conclude on the 15th of August 2023 has captivated participants nationwide, offering them an extended period to engage and seize the opportunity to win Motorcycle, Two door fridge and 55 inch smart television.
    Among those who won in the first round includes Kisia Omindo (Nakuru), Jackson Gikoni (Uasin Gishu), Alphani Ndao (Likoni), Paul Saitoti (Narok), Mercy Mueni (Likoni), Mohamed Ismael (Tana River)
    Speaking, Startimes Chief Executive Officer, Carter Luo expressed his utmost satisfaction with the resounding success of the “RECHARGE BUY AND WIN” promotion.
    He emphasized that this promotion stands as a testament to Startimes’ unwavering dedication to investing in top-notch local content and programming, thereby prioritizing their customers’ utmost satisfaction.
    He noted that Startimes Media’s initiative to reward their viewers goes beyond mere entertainment, as it reflects their deep appreciation for the unwavering support they have received over the past 35 years.
     “We will be awarding winners every week as a way of celebrating them as we mark 35 years in the business as we believe in encouraging business interaction and expression as it not only enhances customer satisfaction and well-being but also sparks innovative and fresh business perspectives,” he said.
    Startimes’ Head of Business Development and Marketing, Tamima Ibrahim reiterated the company’s commitment to providing high-quality content and continuously enhancing the viewing experience for their esteemed customers.
    She encouraged all Kenyans to participate actively in the promotion, assuring them that Startimes Media is firmly focused on delivering unparalleled entertainment and rewarding experiences to their loyal viewers.
    “Startimes Media extends its warmest congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding success. We applaud all the participants for their incredible creativity and making efforts in making this campaign a resounding success. Each submission added to the vibrant and adverse tapestry of our organization, ‘she said.
    In addition to the Recharge Buy and Win Promotion, Startimes Media recently introduced flexible subscription payment options, offering customers the freedom to choose between daily, weekly, or monthly payments.
     The pricing structure for both DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) and DTH (Direct-to-Home) subscribers has been carefully designed to cater to various preferences and budgets.
    For DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) subscribers, the daily Basic and Classic Bouquets are priced at Ksh65 and Ksh95, respectively. Those who opt for the weekly Basic and Classic Bouquets can enjoy the services for Ksh240 and Ksh360, respectively.
    Similarly, monthly Basic and Classic Bouquet subscribers will be charged Ksh649 and Ksh999, respectively.
    For DTH (Direct-to-Home) offering, the daily Smart and Super Bouquets provide customers with captivating content at Ksh110 and Ksh135, respectively. Weekly Smart and Super subscribers can relish the adjusted rates of Ksh380 and Ksh540, respectively. Monthly subscriptions for Smart and Super Bouquets will be priced at Ksh1059 and Ksh1599, respectively.
    The DTH decoder-only option is available for Ksh1799, while customers who choose to purchase the full kit can enjoy an enticing upgrade to the next best bouquet for a generous duration of 30 days, all at an affordable price of Ksh2999.
  • Mwananchi Credit Limited Shines at 2023 Pacesetter Awards, Winning Two Awards

    Mwananchi Credit Limited Shines at 2023 Pacesetter Awards, Winning Two Awards

    Mwananchi Credit Limited, a leading provider of logbook loans and asset financing, was a big winner at this year’s prestigious Pacesetter Awards Eastern Africa chapter that saw over 150 Leading firms and 10 professionals in Eastern Africa honored. The event gala dinner, held at the Weston Hotel Nairobi, saw Mwananchi Credit honored as a Pacesetter in Asset Financing and the Pacesetter in Enhancing Credit Access. These major international SMEs and Mid-sized firms International Award dubbed Pacesetter Awards recognized Mwananchi Credit’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to credit for individuals across the country. Their unique risk financing model has proven to be a game-changer in providing financial opportunities to a wide range of customers.

     

    The awards are organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa a Non-Governmental Organization that champions improvement of living standards, social ethics, dignity and empowerment of communities.  It brought together firms from at least 10 countries in the Eastern Africa region including top SMEs and mid-sized top institutions from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania among other countries. Pacesetters Award (PSA) is an annual Industry leadership Recognition program organized by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a Non-Governmental Organization, to celebrate key industry leaders for their innovation, quality products and service delivery, job creation, exemplary leadership, growing the economy, and transforming the society. These awards are based on the economic and social impact rather than the balance sheet. Jubilant Stewards of Africa is dedicated to the improvement of living standards, social ethics, dignity, and empowerment of communities. As part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), JSA feels the need to encourage firms and individuals to take leadership in their respective industries and get them into pace.

     

    Expressing his elation at the award ceremony, General Manager Muriithi Gitonga expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for Mwananchi Credit’s achievements.

     

    He said, “These awards hold significant meaning for us, as they symbolize our relentless pursuit of expanding credit access to everyone. Our focus on asset financing is also finally reaping rewards, solidifying our position as the preferred Asset Financing partners in the country. We are immensely grateful to God for our journey thus far.”

     

    The Pacesetter Awards recognized Mwananchi Credit’s exceptional performance and unwavering dedication to providing excellent financial solutions to their clients. With their logbook loans and asset financing options, the company has successfully established itself as a trusted partner for individuals seeking convenient and accessible credit.

     

    As a prominent financial institution, Mwananchi Credit has consistently demonstrated its commitment to meeting the diverse financial needs of their customers. They have continuously strived to offer flexible loan terms, competitive interest rates, and excellent customer service, making them a preferred choice among borrowers.

     

    “Pacesetters Awards considers a range of quantitative and qualitative aspects to determine and honor the winners. A novel survey model was initiated in 2020 for the hyperinflationary environment. The model has since been tested and it demonstrated its functionality, elasticity, and robustness. Furthermore, models in various industries such as the financial sector were remodeled to enhance their significance to the current environment, enhance quality and increase the objectivity of results,” said Jared Oundo, Executive Director of Jubilant Stewards of Africa.

    According to Jared Oundo, this year, Jubilant Stewards of Africa in partnership with the United SMEs Association of Kenya are organizing a Tech expo that will take place in Nairobi Kenya from the 3rd to 5th of November 2023. In addition, they are organizing a business trip for all award winners set for next year in either Singapore, Dubai, London, or North Carolina.

     

    Some of the new entrants in the 2023 Eastern Africa Chapter of the awards include Westland Laser Eye Hospital, MP Shah Hospital, Pekan Real Estates Ltd , Nyeri based – Modern Furniture Pacific, Tours and Travel firm – Spoton Vacations Ltd, Jambo Freight Tanzania, Pembe Flour Mills, Air Travel and Related Studies, Joy Millers, EM Primelands LtdThe Mimshack Homes Real Estate firm, AMG Realtors, Simpet Kenya Ltd- Creative Graphics design and corporate branding solutions provider,  Brett and Baileys Limited Tanzania, Eng. Martin David from Tanzania, Pekans Real Estates CEO Peter Kariuki as the most Inspiring CEO of the year among others.

     

    Most of the awardees have been conferred with other awards including the Top KPMG 100 Survey and other international awards. Notable firms that have featured in the Pacesetters Awards Eastern Africa Kenyan Chapter include; Telecommunication giant Safaricom, Ena Coach, City Walk, Avantis Insurance Agency, Certified Homes, Gotovate Africa Safaris Group, GMC place Kitengela, Automotive Doctor Motor Garage, Sung Timber, German Institute of Professional Studies and Joy Millers Limited. New entrants include; Jambo Freight Ltd Tanzania, inter consult Tanzania, Spik n Span Tanzania, and Raphael Logistics Ltd Tanzania.

     

    About Mwananchi Credit Limited:

    Mwananchi Credit Limited is a leading provider of logbook loans and asset financing solutions in Kenya. With a commitment to accessibility and customer satisfaction, they have established themselves as a reliable financial institution, meeting the diverse credit needs of individuals across the country. Mwananchi Credit is dedicated to expanding credit access and empowering customers with financial opportunities through their innovative risk financing model.

     

  • Launch of the Nairobi Declaration Call for Domestic Resource Mobilization to finance Health in Africa

    Launch of the Nairobi Declaration Call for Domestic Resource Mobilization to finance Health in Africa

    Parliamenterians in Africa from different states namely;Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbambwe, gathered at a conference in Nairobi on 11th & 12th July 2023 at the sidelines of the African Union Summit, to reflect and discuss health financing in Africa.
    Cognisant of the need to formalize genuine collaboration between parliamentarians and Civil Society, they proposed for an effective advocacy program on sustainable domestic resource mobilization for health in Africa, through a platform for exchanging information, sharing best practices, strengthening political and synergies.
    The recommendations, resulted in the creation of the Parliamentarian Task Force on Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health in Africa, with the objectives of engaging parliamentarians in their respective countries on issues such as the mobilization of national resources for health; strengthening of community health; universal health coverage; and addressing gaps in funding for the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. support of this declaration.
    The parliamentarians also subscribed to sustainable health funding moving forward.
    The African Union member states subscribed to a solid normative legal framework on the right to health, they also committed to its Agenda 2063, whose aim is to transform the potential threat posed by the expected doubling of its young population by 2050, into a “demographic dividend”, bringing economic growth and higher living standards, and they also subscribed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to significantly increase the health budget to ensure that everyone benefits from universal health coverage (UHC).
    Heads of state and government  also made declarations and commitments on health financing, notably at the 32nd Ordinary Conference of the African Union in Addis Ababa in February 2019, during which they endorsed the deliberations of the African Leaders’ Meeting (ALM) and adopted declarations in favor of mobilizing domestic resources for health financing in Africa.
    Notably, many African states are struggling to meet their commitments to mobilize domestic resources, yet investing in health is investing in human capital, creating stable jobs, stimulating economic growth and reducing inequalities.
     The parliamentarians are committed to advocate for: Domestic resource mobilization for health including push for the move from commitment to action, co-financing of Global Fund and other development partners’ programs for HIV, TB and Malaria to build equitable and resilient health systems, focused on people centered approach and integrated health services (addressing HIV, TB and Malaria and other health issues based on people’s needs and disease burden),
    Community Health system strengthening, including ensuring a recognized status for Community Health Workers, financing of Community Health Strategy, support for community-led responses, and incorporation of community, rights and gender considerations in HIV, TB and malaria programming;
    Incorporating universal health coverage as a goal in national health policy frameworks, strategically connected to broader inter-ministerial priorities such as emergency preparedness, social stability, climate, economy and finance,
    Bridging financial and implementation gaps of HIV, TB, Malaria, Health Systems Strengthening, Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response and Community Health Systems in the National Strategic Plans for the countries;
    Establish a space for exchange and sharing of good practices among parliamentarians from different regions of Africa,
    Create synergies with civil society on Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health in Africa.
  • CNN’s Connecting Africa explores Nairobi’s role as a technology hub

    CNN’s Connecting Africa explores Nairobi’s role as a technology hub

    In the latest episode of Connecting Africa, CNN International’s Eleni Giokos visits Nairobi to see the role technology can play in boosting trade opportunities across the continent.

     

    Known by some as the Silicon Savannah, Nairobi is becoming an increasingly important player in the international tech scene. Giokos meets with Irene Kiwia, co-founder of Adanian Labs, who explains what her company does, “We are a technology company, a pan-African technology company, and what founded us was our mission to activate the tech revolution on the continent by making sure that Africans are active participants in the fourth industrial revolution. We invest in tech startups.”

     

    Kiwia says that Africa has a strong advantage because of the number of talented young people on the continent, “The good thing about Africa, Kenya, and sub-Saharan Africa is that it’s a young continent.” She continues, “Technology allows us to leapfrog things in a way that we are not able to do before. If we look at the African history, we missed the industrial revolution. We’ve missed a couple of things, but for the first time ever, we have a technology revolution, where we are able to create impact and change the status quo of this continent. And the young people are the people who are going to do that.”

     

    Looking to the future, Kiwia talks about the need to digitise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), “Kenya is becoming a hub of tech for the continent. The future is absolutely exciting, we are building the largest tech company on this continent. And by largest, I mean in terms of the impact that we will create across sectors. But also, the fact that our aim is to digitise the SME eco-systems and build a connected Africa, a borderless Africa.”

     

    Next, Giokos sees how trail-blazing technology from Nairobi is helping to alleviate the consequences of climate change in some of the continent’s driest regions. Dr. Guyo Malicha Roba is passionate about data, and he uses it to mitigate the effects of droughts and food shortages across the Horn of Africa. He tells CNN, “Government don’t have enough resources. Neither do they have the right data to act in time. And that time in this question, is still a very big question in that space. The resource question is another question that is up there. So, data and resources are constant issues in this.”

     

    As the head of the Jameel Observatory, Dr. Roba is working on projects to combat drought across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. He explains how technology has changed the research, “I think technology is very important, especially when you are looking at the forecasting, building scenarios around the weather and weather patterns. I think that is where our colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, which is the leader of the project, are bringing a huge part of the observation, artificial intelligence, the big data and all these things, especially for Somalia, where collecting data and preparing is difficult.”

     

    He continues, “The observatory is sort of like a research project, what to try, what to call, brokering knowledge, science, and connecting different dots to make sure how do we do this thing early enough before the droughts reach emergency.”

     

    This month’s programme also meets tech leaders at GITEX Africa in Morocco and speaks to the CEO of the Botswana Institute for Technology, Research, and Innovation.

  • Zutari Kenya officially launched in Nairobi to focus on East African market

    Zutari Kenya officially launched in Nairobi to focus on East African market

    Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari, headquartered in South Africa has officially been launched in the country after receiving registration as a fully licensed company in Nairobi, Kenya.

    “East Africa has long been identified as a growth area for Zutari, with Kenya at the centre of our expansion initiatives into the region,” says Zutari CEO Teddy Daka.

    Diplomatic relations between Kenya and South Africa have been growing since the introduction of a mutual visa-free agreement in January 2023. Engagements between Trade ministries from both countries are set to address trade barriers opening up of business opportunities for both countries.

    The advisory firm, which has been involved in a couple of projects in the country including Two Rivers Mall and the Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Project, aims to grow its presence in the country through engagements with government agencies such as the Kenya National Highways Agency (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), in the improvement of transport infrastructure in the country. Other areas of interest for the firm include installation of intelligent transport systems and engagement in private public partnership projects.

    In recent years, Kenya has placed more emphasis on the extent to which companies are locally owned. The engineering profession in Kenya is regulated by the Kenyan Engineers Act (2011), which contains stringent requirements for engineering companies and consulting firms who would like to conduct business in Kenya. To ensure compliance to the Act, these organisations must be registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).  Zutari Kenya Ltd has since reached this important milestone and is now registered with the EBK in civil and electrical engineering disciplines.

    “We are proud of the impact our Nairobi office has unlocked through its many infrastructure feats over multiple decades of operating in Kenya. These still stand proudly across all of Kenya, a testament to the enduring power of infrastructure to create the kind of change the world needs today,” comments Paul Lombard, Regional Director of East Africa, Zutari.

    As an infrastructure engineering and advisory practice in Kenya, flagship projects to date have included design and management services to support Scania to build the first of 15 global service centres in Nairobi, comprising an extensive warehouse complex, service pits, and offices.

    Zutari also provided its services for the East African Community (EAC) Transport Master Plan and was tasked to develop a unified transport and regional road sector development programme for the EAC. The region is served by an extensive road, rail, lake, and pipeline transportation network, as well as two major seaports and several international airports.

    Creating a strategy and multi-year development plan to guide regional transport policies and investment involved considerable technical expertise and co-engineered impact by unifying the goals and aspirations of seven member states.

    In 2017, Zutari was appointed as an implementation support consultant for a sub-component of the Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Project, Phase 1 (KWSCRP-1), funded by the World Bank. The project is aimed at financing critical investments in the water sector in Kenya, promoting sustained investment, and building an enabling legal and institutional foundation.

    Zutari completed its first project in Kenya in 1995, resulting in 28+ years of engineered impact across Kenya and East Africa. It has 20+ Kenyan engineering consultants and trusted advisors working from the Nairobi office on projects across Kenya and East Africa. To date, it has been involved with 100+ infrastructure projects in Kenya, spanning full infrastructure lifecycle solutions across the water, transport, energy, resources, and built-environment infrastructure markets.