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  • Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport Aims to be the leading Airport hotel after bagging ABEA excellence awards

    Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport Aims to be the leading Airport hotel after bagging ABEA excellence awards

    Hilton Garden Inn a Modern hotel located along the Jomo Kenyatta Airport and 15km from Nairobi’s city center, shopping malls and National Parks.

    The Hotel is of the brand of Hilton located at the CBD of Nairobi and it focuses on fulfilling the cutomers needs.

    Hilton Garden Inn Hotel recently won the Aviation Business Excellence Awards (ABEA) 2022 in the Hotel Category and also the overall award hosted by Kenya Airports Authority and The Kenya Institute of Management for the recognition of service delivery in the aviation industry.

    During an interview the General Manager  that winning the ABEA Awards was great, and factors made Hilton to win the award is through people , Mission and value helping the clinch of the award. “People and consistentency and value, You need to market yourselves to the employees also. The customers focus is also important to grow the brand.” The GM stated.

    The GM however said that the hotel has several branches across the world. “The brand has 870 branches in middle east, India and china. Focused brand that focusses on needs. What the market is asking for. In terms of rates we are very competititve quality of services for customers. ” Said Lorenzo Baleri GM Hilton.

    Lorenzo  and human resource manager madam Mallo observed that the hotel has recruited young people to help it reach its target. “We recruited very young people out of college.A move which is good for the Hotel. They are young and ready to serve the Cutomers as we grow together.” Said Mallo Magdalene Human Resource ,Hilton Garden Inn.

    Mr Lorenzo says that through the exercise of Competitiveness it has made Hilton Garden Inn differ from others.

    The Hotel is aiming to grow the Business, recognize owners, grow the rates and result could be more profits.

    The management is saying that the Hotel is confident on moving to be the top brand in the Hotel Category, Marketing, customer focus and Human relation.

    Hilton has also invested in technology and on upcoming projects they are adopting the technology to raise competitiveness.

    It has however been noted that Customers are able to check in easily book and reserve rooms through online and using the website.

    The Hotel now is on Target to the right segments as It is an upscale Hotel very affordable to all travellers throughout.

    The technology team is now on the verge to produce digital key which is one of the Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport Aims to be the leading Airport Hotel.

    The Hotel is a franchise of the of Hilton Hotels worldwide group. Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi airport won the ABEA Award 2022 in the Hotel Category and also the overall award hosted by Kenya Airports Authority and The Kenya Institute of Management. Aviation Business Excellence Awards (ABEA) recognizes outstanding performance and excellent service delivery in the aviation industry.

    The General Manager Observed that the Abea process which focuses on four determinants: –

    • Leadership; Ethics & Business results
    • Marketing
    • Customer focus and quality
    • People focus and human resource

    Was a very intensive process which got all the team members involved since the determinants are very much part of the vision and mission on Hilton.Apart from customer focus, we also focus on marketing ourselves to our employees so that they can deliver the same experiences to our guests. He added.

    By 2019, the Hilton Garden Inn brand had 862 properties with 126,086 rooms in 49 countries and territories, including 81 that are managed with 15,678 rooms and 781 that are franchised with 110,408 rooms. The brand plans to grow this number especially in Africa.

    In terms of rates we strive to remain competitive yet offer high standard of services to our guests ” Said Lorenzo Baleri General Manager Hilton.

    The GM added that they usually employ Young people. “We recruited very young people out of college. A move which is good for the Hotel. They are young and ready to learn and therefore they are able to adopt to easily adopt our brand promise and culture which makes it easy to for us to grow together.” Said Magdalene Mallo Human Resource at Hilton Garden Inn.

    The efficiency and customer focus make Hilton Garden Inn different from others. We interact with other people in an intelligent, attentive and resourceful manner while offering bright hearted hospitality.

    The Hilton Garden Inn brand is up to date in technology with the introduction of the digital Key in some of the properties in the EMEA region. Customers are able to reserve online, book a room and select a floor then access the room using their mobile phone. The hotel Targets the right segments i.e. Leisure, IBT, Groups and offers competitive rates for the local residents.

    KQ Airstrike led to more revenues due to extended stays but for the travelers it was hectic. The Hotel gave them friendly rates where the customers who would have canceled their bookings because of strike had the option to postponed travel to a later date.

    The Hotel Sales Director further added that, Air BnBs have their own customer niche and therefore not a threat to their business. Customers have a right to stay either in a hotel or an alternative place depending on their purpose of travel.

    The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel also observes the Climate friendly mechanisms as the world gears towards Clean energy. Under the Hilton Light stay program, the hotel uses recycled water to water their gardens. The refrigeration is always checked and all our waste is recycled.

    Under its travel with purpose program, the hotels are striving to encourage guests who are attending meetings to opt for drinking water from a water dispenser as opposed the giving single plastic bottles of water. This will go along way in protecting the environment.

    Our hospitality never stops and a we head towards the festive season; local residents can expect good offers through festive season promotions.

    The General Manager hinted on a new Hilton brand hotel set to open in February 2023 in the peponi Thigiri area.

    Hilton Garden inn festive will start on 12th December, with various packages.Possible for the local residents.

    Below are the rates for the Festive season.

    Locals and travellers can chose to stay in the Hotel.

     

  • Naivas Continues to spread the festive cheers With a new store in Ruai, Kangundo Road

    Leading retailer Naivas Supermarket is yet again scheduled to open its 88th outlet in Ruai along Kangundo road on the 19th of November 2022.

    The newest store by the retailer will cover 35,000 square feet of trading space, promising to adequately serve the residents of Ruai as it carries through on its mission of delivering a world class shopping experience to all.

    This opening comes during the exciting Naivas annual festive season campaign dubbed Kikwetu.

    This year the campaign called #TeamNaivas has two phases with the first phase Kikombe Kikwetu whose tagline is “Kila Mkenya ni Mshindi” having already kicked off.

    It is therefore quite exciting that the residents of Ruai will get to experience the joy that is the Naivas festive season with something in store for everyone ranging from market-leading sales promotions to chances of winning gift vouchers, the iconic Naivas mbuzi and even TVs.“This expansion targets to bring our unique offering of freshness, quality, and affordability to all our customers. With every new opening we ensure that the store set-up, layout, and catalogue meet shopper needs. “We understand that you need to have a reason why shoppers choose you as their retailer of choice, and that’s why for us exceeding customer expectations is our modus operandi,” remarked Willy Kimani, Naivas Chief Commercial Officer.

    “As a homegrown brand, we know we bear a responsibility to the communities where we set up shop, we believe we exist to make other people’s lives better and this goes beyond our excellent customer service. We firmly believe in the sustainability of not just our business but also the communities we serve and that is why we have firmly entrenched environmental, safety and governance practices embedded throughout our business operations something that we know the residents of Ruai will appreciate given the strained infrastructure borne out of a very fast-growing township,” concluded Willy Kimani.

  • KTB APPOINTS JOHN CHIRCHIR AS ITS ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    KTB APPOINTS JOHN CHIRCHIR AS ITS ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    KTB Chairperson Joanne Mwangi (left) and outgoing CEO Dr Betty Radier (right) during the a handover to John Chirchir (middle) who will be the acting CEO of the Board.

    Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage has appointed John Chirchir, HSC as its acting Chief Executive Officer. Chirchir replaces the outgoing CEO Dr. Betty Radier who has completed serving her full term of six years at the helm of the marketing agency.

    While announcing the changes, KTB chairperson Ms Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert termed Radier’s tenure a successful one having seen through a strong destination brand with global recognition.“Her six years in office has helped positively profile the destination globally and I strongly believe that the incoming acting CEO will build on this to take the destination to the next level,” said the chairperson.

    Dr Radier who has served for a two-year term of six years since the year 2016 lauded the industry for resilience, innovative and proactive measures to minimise the impact of the covid-19 pandemic that had threatened to erode gains in the tourism business. She has in the period overseen key programs including the evaluation and listing of the Magical Kenya Signature Experience (MKSE), leveraging partnerships as well upscaling the use of digital marketing. “I am happy that the strategies we have put in place together with the ministry of tourism and the private sector to grow tourism numbers are yielding fruits with increase in number of domestic bed nights occupancy and international arrivals, we particularly applaud the domestic market for their support” said Radier.

    John, who has been serving as the Digital Marketing Manager, has extensive knowledge on destination marketing spanning for over 20 years and has championed marketing programes in Kenya’s tourist key source markets of Europe, Emerging, Africa and the US.

    He holds a Masters Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and postgraduate Diploma in digital marketing. He has been key in KTB’s navigation of the board’s digital programs accelerated by the pandemic.

    He has been recognised for his service in the public sector and awarded The Head of State Commendation (HSC), usually given to outstanding Kenyans who selflessly render their services to the country.

  • African Activists Promise Resistance at Home to Oil-And-Gas Touting Leaders

    African Activists Promise Resistance at Home to Oil-And-Gas Touting Leaders

    Climate champions show solidarity with communities who are experiencing climate impacts in the global south. Campaigners demand that polluting companies and countries pay their fair share to repair climate damage
    Climate champions show solidarity with communities who are experiencing climate impacts in the global south. Campaigners demand that polluting companies and countries pay their fair share to repair climate damage

    Climate activists from across sub-Saharan Africa gathered this morning in response to the dash for fossil fuels by African leaders at COP27.

    African leaders have used COP27 – “the African COP” – to undermine the goals of the Paris Agreement by pushing for more fossil fuel deals at the expense of people and the continent.  Beyond voicing collective demands on an agreement for a dedicated finance facility for Loss and Damage under the UNFCCC at COP27 and asking richer nations to deliver on their climate pledges for adaptation and mitigation, African delegations have used the conference to embrace the new scramble for oil and gas in the continent.

    International, pan-African and national civil society organisations and activists are dismayed at the threat of locking communities and economies in more oil and gas production for decades to come. African leaders’ actions fly in the face of warnings by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (http://bit.ly/3GkFYfr) that existing fossil fuel infrastructure was already sufficient to breach the 1.5c limit and by the International Energy Agency (IEA) (http://bit.ly/3X8UcWy) that no new oil and gas fields approved for development are compatible with the pathway to a 1.5c.

    For any meaningful outcome to be achieved in Egypt, delegates must listen to the people of Africa – not the fossil fuel sector, and collectively commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels and reflect this commitment in the cover decision, as well as agree to the establishment of a Loss and Damage Finance Facility.

    In advance of the official close of the climate negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, African activists spoke put at a press conference pledging their concerted resistance to further fossil fuel expansion on the continent:

    Barbra Kangwana, Safe Lamu and Climate activist from Kenya

    “The Kenyan government proposed a coal plant at Lamu, a UNESCO world heritage site, in the name of boosting the national electricity supply back in 2019. Trying to fathom the damage that would have happened to the small coastal town left us restless. The locals were given the false hope of getting jobs at the plant. The glaring truth is, you cannot claim to feed a population you are killing slowly. We raised our voices, lobbied, signed petitions, went to court, and eventually the people won. This is a clear case of failing systems – when systems fail, the people rise.”

    Patience Nabukalu, Stop EACOP and Fridays for Future activist from Uganda

    “EACOP, the East African crude oil pipeline French-Chinese project is a clear example of colonial exploitation in Africa and across the global south, with 1444km running from Uganda to Tanzania – it would become the longest heated oil pipeline in the world, releasing 34 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, substantially adding to the climate breakdown.”

    “EACOP is not going to develop our country: peoples’ land was taken, leaving many homeless and poor and critical ecosystems and biodiversity at risk of oil spills such as lake Victoria, rivers, National Parks, animals and birds, as well as aquatic life.”

    “We remain hopeful and vigilant as banks and insurers like Standard Bank, Deutsche Bank and Lloyds have withdrawn their support for EACOP. We will continue to resist until everyone involved abandons it completely. We resist for our people and their land and heritage.”

    Mbong Akiy, Head of Communication for Greenpeace Africa:

    “The fossil fuel industry has degraded our people, our lands, our oceans and our air. Enough is enough. No matter how many deals they sign, no matter how many bribes they pay, or how fancy the suits they wear: we shall wait for them in our communities, we will wait for them on the frontlines.

    We will not stop until we see a complete transition to clean, renewable energy that is guaranteed to take millions of Africans out of energy poverty. Our lands will not be a playground for greedy polluters who seek to make billions at our expense. In South Africa we have won against big oil, we sent Shell packing, and we will send them all packing again”

    Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, campaign lead at Powershift Africa:

    “The new dash for gas is an elaborate excuse fueled by a dangerous capitalist-utopian dream that seeks to justify the continued use of fossil fuels in Africa. Fossil gas production does absolutely nothing in addressing the continent’s climate emergency and if adopted will stop Africa from leapfrogging towards a renewable and clean energy future. We pledge to continue pushing for The Africa We Want beyond COP27.”

    Kentebe Ebiaridor, Environmental Rights Campaigner and Niger Delta Activist:

    “Fossi gas must be left in the ground and climate funding should be used for public good through community owned and controlled, decentralised energy. We have seen the devastation that oil has caused to our people in the Niger Delta and we are glad that they are now winning in the courts to get reparations. The fossil fuel industry needs to understand that these communities will not stop. For every destruction they cause, they will pay.

    Bonaventure Bondo, DRC Coordinator Youth Movement for the Protection of the environment 

    “We expect concrete and urgent climate action from COP27. For our well being and the well-being of our planet, we demand the Congolese government end the sacrifice of our forests and peatlands for drilling oil”.

  • School Feeding Program To Retain Learners In Class

    School Feeding Program To Retain Learners In Class

    A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Faith Kenya Mission has embarked on a school feeding program in informal settlements and areas worst hit by drought to cushion pupils from hunger.

    The organization is distributing food to vulnerable pupils in Nairobi, Makueni and Kajiado counties in an effort to retain them in class.

    The organization’s Project Manager Monica Wakahiu said many parents are unable to provide food to their children and they subsequently go to school hungry making it hard for them to concentrate in class. This, Wakahiu added results to the learners’ dismal performance in national examinations.

    Wakahiu revealed that a properly fed pupil is able to concentrate and perform well and the school feeding program will ensure an increase in enrollment, retention and completion rate in primary schools.

    “Many parents lost their jobs during the Covid-19 period, the on-going drought in many counties has also worsened the situation as they are unable to provide food for their children. Pupils go to school hungry thus unable to concentrate in class,” said Wakahiu.

    Wakahiu added that the situation was dire especially in arid and semi-arid areas and provision of food in affected schools will improve the nutritional status of the pupils thus boosting their health.

    Gertrude Musau, Marketing Manager Faith Kenya Mission reiterated Wakahiu’s sentiments adding that the organization will continue providing food to pupils during the November to December examination period.

    Musau added that one way of ensuring that pupils stay in school was by ensuring that they are provided with food and water.

    “We are focused on improving literacy in schools through provision of books and food to pupils in vulnerable communities and providing water to communities in arid and semi-arid areas like Makueni and Kajiado,” she said.

    According to Nancy Kago, Headteacher Kibera Primary School, many pupils from informal settlements can go a day or two without a proper meal thus cannot concentrate in class and this affects their overall performance.

    Kago called on the government to re-introduce the school feeding programme to schools in vulnerable areas to ensure the pupils enroll and stay in school.

  • Uganda seeks Kenya partnership in deal to boost tourist numbers

    Uganda seeks Kenya partnership in deal to boost tourist numbers

    Uganda’s tourism players are reaching out to Kenya in a controversial bid to help bridge market access challenges for Kampala’s hospitality offers.

    The players in Kampala see Kenya’s coastal exposure to the world as a starting point where tourists arriving in Kenya can go on to visit Uganda on the same visa while using Uganda Airlines as a connecting carrier.

    But that could bring new threats to Kenya’s own local sites, as well as affect market share for Kenya Airways, which has for years dominated the Kenya-Uganda route.

    Mutual benefit

    But if this plan works, the proponents argue, Kenya and Uganda will mutually benefit, with Uganda profiting from Kenya’s networks to attract visitors. Kenya in the meanwhile will have its tourists visit Ugandan sites at a discounted price, which stakeholders say could break monotony for repeat clients who have explored Kenya.

    Alex Tunoi, the regional manager in charge of domestic and Africa tourism at the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), said they are aware of the proposed deal, but downplayed its potential to eat Kenya’s lunch.

    “East Africa market has great tourism potential for Kenya; with a population of over 200 million, a growing middle class, improved infrastructure and relaxation of travel restrictions. KTB is focused on growing arrivals from the region,” he told The EastAfrican.

    “Investment in these markets is bearing fruit with both Uganda and Tanzania emerging among top 10 key sources markets for the destination.”

    Lucrative packages

    According to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Kampala will offer lucrative packages to tourists arriving at Kenya’s coastal sites to explore its natural, adventure, leisure, business and cultural attractions.

    Uganda intends to balance trade with Kenya by working with coastal tourism stakeholders to tap into Kenya’s booming beach tourism.

    The first package is set to go online later this year after deliberations from a conference between Uganda and Kenyan on November 17.

    “The partnership will ensure thousands of tourists visiting either Kenya or Uganda move freely between the two countries. The tourists can have breakfast at the beach and lunch in a safari in Uganda,” said Paul Mukumbya, Uganda’s Consul-General in Mombasa.

    “The November conference in Mombasa will explore Uganda, ‘the Pearl of Africa,’ to give overview of the tourism attractions as well as specifying the investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Uganda and Kenya,” he said.

    Eased travel requirements

    The two countries are banking on eased regional travel requirements for EAC citizens to improve the balance of trade by jointly promoting beaches and parks in the region.

    Citizens of the two countries can use their national identity cards to cross borders while international tourists will use the East Africa single visa to tour the two destinations.

    Besides, both countries belong to the one-tourism visa programme that also includes Rwanda. Tourists arriving in one country can use the same tourist visa to cross to the other.

    The challenge in the past has been the transportation connectivity.

    The plan now is to use Uganda Airlines to connect tourists from Mombasa to Entebbe but once Kenya Airways starts direct flights from the coastal city, Kenya Coast Tourist Association chairman Victor Shitakha says people will have more options.

    Packages for bus trips

    Uganda Airlines flies between Mombasa and Entebbe three times a week. However, officials say other airlines will not be locked out and they will go as far as selling packages for bus trips.

    “The move will create networks and synergies and we are not in competition but we complement each other, where we shall come up with packages marketed together [and] sell both safari and beaches as one package. We are working with Kenya Tourism Board to make it happen,” said Mr Shitakha.

    Kenya remains Uganda’s biggest source market for tourists in the region, accounting for 29 per cent of total arrivals in 2018, the highest figure reported before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to figures by the Tourism Research Institute.

    Rising numbers

    At least 95,000 Kenyans visit Uganda every three months, according to the Ugandan Consulate in Mombasa. It expects this figure to rise.

    Last year, Kenya received 870,465 tourists compared to 567,848 in 2020, with the US leading as the major tourist source with 136,981 arrivals, followed by Uganda (80,067), Tanzania (74,051), the UK (53,264) and India with 42,159 visitors.

    Before the pandemic, Uganda received over 1.5 million tourists in 2019 and registered over 512,000 travellers in 2020. However, the country’s tourism industry is poised for recovery with renewed emphasis on intra-African travel market as a key marketing strategy.

    In 2019, the Tourism sector contributed 7.7 per cent of Uganda’s gross domestic product and created over 667,000 jobs.

    Tourism data from 2019 shows that its top three Africa source markets include Rwanda (32 per cent), Kenya (24 per cent) and Tanzania at six per cent.

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  • Climate change is the biggest global threat, young people in Africa and Europe tell European Investment Bank (EIB), Debating Africa and Debating Europe

    Climate change is the biggest global threat, young people in Africa and Europe tell European Investment Bank (EIB), Debating Africa and Debating Europe

    The European Investment Bank is partnering with the citizen-engagement platforms, Debating Africa (https://Debating.Africa/) and Debating Europe (https://www.DebatingEurope.eu/), on a focus group project asking 100 young people, aged between 18-35, about their concerns around some of the major challenges facing the world today.

    As summarized in the report, “Securing Our Future: 100 African & European Voices on Climate Change, Conflict and Security”, the focus groups found that young people from both Africa and Europe are very concerned about the future in a world threatened by climate change. Every single European and most African participants cited it as a major concern while those from Africa who did not, often raised other threats that they perceived as driven by climate change, such as food insecurity, severe weather events, and adverse economic conditions. Participants from both continents were keenly aware of the interlinkages between climate change and other threats such as migration, resource scarcity, and violent conflicts.

    The focus groups also explored the role of international institutions and how they should respond to the climate emergency. They found:

    • Both African and European young people felt there should be more funding for alternative sources of energy, particularly renewables.
    • Linked to their support for renewables, Europeans wanted to see countries end the use of gas, oil and coal and any subsidies these sources of energy received.
    • Africans wanted climate change interventions to focus less on the global threat and more on the current impact on Africa, notably the effects on food and energy security.
    • Participants urged partnerships between governments and institutions on mitigation and adaptation projects.

    On November 16 at UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Egypt, at 13.30 EET, we will be holding a panel discussion on “Securing our Future” as well as the latest results of the fifth edition of the EIB Climate Survey (http://bit.ly/3V3aIWf). We will gather some of the focus group participants with representatives from all three partner organizations to discuss the findings and solutions with delegates and experts within our network. You can join the discussion here: http://bit.ly/3hMYIK9.

    Background information:

    Participants were divided into three groups: English-Speaking European, English-speaking African, and French-speaking African.

    The focus groups were conducted virtually via Zoom and lasted for one hour. Participants were compensated for their involvement. Focus groups were led by an experienced moderator and ranged from 4 to 10 participants each. We have only used first names to protect the anonymity of participants, but several participants chose pseudonyms.

    European participants came from Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Slovakia, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Ireland, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, Belgium, and Finland; English-speaking African participants came from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi; French-speaking African participants came from Cameroon, Chad, Benin, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali.

    Debating Europe was launched in 2011 and has taken a bottom-up approach from the beginning, with citizens very much in the driving seat of the debate, asking the questions they want answered and putting forward their opinions for politicians and thought-leaders from across the EU and beyond to react to.

    Since launch, Debating Europe has interviewed more than 3,000 policymakers and experts from across the political spectrum. Each has agreed to answer some of the 200,000 comments sent to us from citizens online, including from over 271,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter.

    In 2021, Debating Africa was launched, adopting the same approach and encouraging a pan-African debate on shared challenges such as climate change, security, trade, and development. As international challenges require international dialogue, Debating Europe and Debating Africa frequently co-operate on joint projects to bring voices from both continents to the table with politicians and experts.

    Debating Europe is an initiative of Friends of Europe, the Brussels-based think tank for a more sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking Europe.

    Debating Africa’s work is rooted within the Africa-Europe Foundation, established by Friends of Europe, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, in partnership the African Climate Foundation and ONE Campaign, to empower a narrative shift about the relations between Africa and Europe.

    EIB at COP27

    The EIB is running a series of events at COP27. You will find the full agenda here (http://bit.ly/3UFKzNL). You are welcome to join our virtual attendee hub to watch the sessions either live or later at your convenience, and network with attendees. With an easy two-step registration process, you will always have the latest information on our agenda.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union and is owned by the EU Member States. The EIB Group has adopted a Climate Bank Roadmap (http://bit.ly/3UyBar7) to deliver on its ambitious agenda to support €1 trillion of climate action and environmental sustainability investments in the decade to 2030 and to deliver more than 50% of EIB finance for climate action and environmental sustainability by 2025. As part of the roadmap, all new EIB Group operations have been aligned with the goals and principles of the Paris Agreement since the start of 2021.

    EIB Global (http://bit.ly/3AMfXRX) is the EIB Group’s new specialized arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe (http://bit.ly/3qhWSC0), alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world (http://bit.ly/3ASvr6H).

  • Launch of Sustainable Engineering at the wake of climate change by IEK

    Launch of Sustainable Engineering at the wake of climate change by IEK

    Hon. Alice Wahome leading The Institution of Engineers of Kenya Council Members to launch the 29th IEK International Convention report
    Hon. Alice Wahome leading The Institution of Engineers of Kenya Council Members to launch the 29th IEK International Convention report

    The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) launched the 29th IEK International Convention revolving around the discussion of a sustainable engineering profession in the era of rapid climate change amid the COP27 concluded conference in Egypt.

    The convention which shall be attended by international and local engineers and engineering students among other professionals kicks off on 21st to 25th of November 2022 in Diani, Kwale County.

    The goal of the convention is to come up with resolutions that can be implemented in the context of engineering practice, policy, education, or research to mitigate the negative impact of climate change locally and globally.

    Speaking in Nairobi Monday during the convention launch, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Alice Wahome said Engineers play an integral role in shaping our interaction with the world.

    The newly appointed CS said climate change remains a global risk to future generations adding the theme of this year’s convention ‘sustainable engineering in the era of climate change,’ is timely coming at the time the world has converged in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for Africa COP27 United Nations Climate Change Summit.

    She however said the delegates at COP27 are expected to come to take action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and Convention. “The decisions we make on a day-to-day basis through our work can have a range of environmental, social, and economic impacts. This is why these conversations are important,” said Alice Wahome, during the launch.

    She noted that climate change is currently one of the greatest threats to the world’s development agenda adding that activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have caused huge amounts of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere.

    The CS noted that this year’s convention will bring together over 3000 engineering practitioners to chart a way forward to engineering sustainability, and urged all engineers to take advantage of the opportunity and attend physically.

    Wahome assured that her docket will continue to work together with key sector players to ensure it collectively puts measures that will mitigate sustainability challenges. “to ensure that we collectively put in place measures that will help mitigate this issue of sustainability in the long term.”

    The sub-themes that will be delved into at the week-long Convention include; Building resilient designs Harnessing emerging technologies for sustainable development; Innovation; Mitigation measures against climate change; Climate adaption; Climate change Impact & Engineering; Artificial intelligence; Energy transition; Role of Nuclear and Renewable Energy in Combating climate change; as well as the role of Green Financing and Green Economy.

    In his remarks, IEK President Eng. Erick Ohaga said another 4,000 key delegates are expected to attend the convention virtually. “Our target is to have over 3000 voices in the practice to participate either physically or virtually and collectively come up with resolutions that we can all apply in our everyday engineering practice to safeguard future generations,” observed Eng. Ohaga.

    He said sustainable engineering is all about designing and operating daily systems in such a way that the energy and resources that they use are sustainable that is, they are used at a rate that doesn’t compromise the natural environment and its ability to be used by future generations to meet their own needs.

    Eng. Ohaga explained: “Sustainable engineering impacts every single aspect of our daily lives, from the water that runs through our taps to the process of removing and breaking down the rubbish thrown in the dust bin.”

    He highlighted that there are many opportunities for engineers to contribute to climate change solutions in fields such as sustainability, climate resilience, climate risk, climate finance, climate justice, climate hazards, and climate change laws.

    IEK and its members will continue to uphold standards and adapt to mitigative measures to evade the adverse effects of climate change for generational sustainability.

  • African Energy Week Announces 2023 Dates – Road to Cape Town

    African Energy Week Announces 2023 Dates – Road to Cape Town

    The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – is proud to announce that African Energy Week (AEW) (https://AECWeek.com/) – Africa’s premier event for oil and gas sector – will return in 2023 from October 16 – 20 to drive Africa’s energy sector growth and make energy poverty history across the continent by 2030.

    Following a successful 2022 edition, AEW 2023 – the official place where Africa’s entire hydrocarbon ecosystem will be discussed and optimized – will build on the discussions held, deals signed, partnerships formed, and relationships cemented in 2022 to maximize energy investments across the continent’s entire energy base whilst paving way for free markets and increased private sector participation in energy sector expansion.

    By uniting African Presidents, Ministers, public and private sector representatives, energy companies and investors as well as global partners, AEW 2023 is the official meeting place for the continent’s energy market players to meet, inspire each other and continue to create an enabling environment to maximize energy investments for a secure energy future. We will sign more deals this year.

    Investments in fossil fuels including in oil and gas by developed countries including G20 members have increased by 16% to $693 billion in 2021, penetration in Africa has been and continues to be restrained by energy transition-related policies implemented by some of these countries, yet the continent is heavily suffering chronic energy shortages and high fuel prices.

    In this regard, AEW 2023 will promote Africa as a global energy investment destination and address the consistent under-investment and difficult financial conditions across the African market. AEW 2023 aims to ensure Africa reduces its over-reliance on external funding and energy imports while meeting its growing energy needs leveraging local resources.

    AEW 2023 will make a strong case on the role Africa’s hydrocarbon resources play in boosting energy access and driving socioeconomic developments across the continent.

    Through high-level panel discussions, networking forums, technical workshops, one-one meetings, projects, technology and partnership launches, and more, AEW 2023 will explore business, deals and policy necessities for Africa maximize the exploitation, development and monetization of its oil and gas resources for energy mix diversification, employment creation, industrialization and energy security.

    “The Chamber is proud to host AEW 2023 in partnership with industry players and government representatives as part of our efforts to continue to fight for Africa’s energy independence and security. With the number of people living in energy poverty in Africa continuing to increase, we believe Africa has and needs to exploit its entire energy base including oil, gas, hydropower and renewables to drift itself away from poverty and under development,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

    AEW 2023 is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2023 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.

  • European Investment Bank (EIB) Global and AllianzGI Announce $100 Million for Renewable Energy Projects

    European Investment Bank (EIB) Global and AllianzGI Announce $100 Million for Renewable Energy Projects

    The Emerging Markets Climate Action Fund invests $25 million and EIB (www.EIB.org) Global invests $75 million in Alcazar Energy Partners II; The fund will finance renewable energy projects in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia; This joint commitment of EMCAF and EIB Global will support the development of onshore wind and solar photovoltaic, and potentially hydropower, biomass or battery-based electricity storage projects.

    The Emerging Market Climate Action Fund (“EMCAF”) has announced today a $25 million investment into Alcazar Energy Partners II, a fund providing early-stage equity financing to develop, construct and operate renewable energy projects in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This commitment is in parallel to EIB Global, the dedicated arm for outside the EU of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, which provides $75 million to the fund.

    Alcazar Energy Partners II has a target size of $500 million and will invest in onshore wind and solar photovoltaic, with additional potential investments in hydropower, biomass or battery-based electricity storage or other low-carbon technologies. The Fund is expected to create 15.000 construction jobs and contribute to the installation of over 2 Gigawatt of new clean energy capacity. Thereby saving 3.2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, generating clean energy to power over one million households.

    EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle commented: “To meet the Paris climate goals and strengthen global energy security, the world’s energy systems must decarbonize as soon as possible. To do this, the financial system needs to mobilise trillions of dollars from private sector green energy projects. I am delighted that we are announcing investments from EMCAF and EIB Global in the Alcazar Energy Partners II Fund today. This support will help crowd in further contributions from investors and ensure that the fund plays an important role in accelerating the green transition in its countries of operation.”

    Tobias Pross, CEO of AllianzGI added: “Emerging markets are where the money for climate adaptation and mitigation is needed most and where it will have a much more immediate impact than in developed countries. I am proud that our EMCAF investments are now gaining traction on the ground in emerging markets – not just helping to fight climate change, but to support healthy economic growth in this region. We are grateful that EIB leveraged this investment, and we are keen to deploy more like these quickly in other countries as well.”

    Daniel Calderon, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy, commented: “The successful first close of AEP-II is a tribute to the disciplined and responsible work of our Alcazar team, who originated, developed, and exited AEP-I’s portfolios, creating value for investors and, most importantly, for the countries and communities where AEP-I invested. AEP-II is privileged to have the confidence of an outstanding group of public and private institutions to invest and develop in renewable energy projects, mobilising more than $2bn of foreign direct investment from OECD economies to build sustainable infrastructure where it is needed most.”

    EMCAF is an innovative blended finance fund initiated jointly by the EIB and Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) to finance climate mitigation and adaptation as well as environmental projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. During its summit in Elmau (Germany) in June 2022, the Group of Seven (G7) endorsed (https://bit.ly/3Gesxxr) EMCAF as an example of a concrete innovative and market-led approach to mobilising private investments for climate-relevant infrastructure and to enhance multilateral finance and collaboration.

    Launched during COP26 in November 2021 by the EIB and AllianzGI, EMCAF is an innovative blended finance vehicle with a €600 million target. The governments of Germany and Luxembourg, the Nordic Development Fund, Allianz, Folksam Group and the EIB are its anchor investors. EMCAF provides early-stage financing to greenfield climate transition infrastructure in emerging and developing markets and focuses on climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and environmental projects. EMCAF has already made its first investment in the adaptation focused ARCH Cold Chain Solutions East Africa Fund,  financing temperature-controlled storage and distribution infrastructure in East Africa that aims to generate emissions reductions from post-harvest food loss. The project comprises storage, distribution and related services and activities that maintain a given temperature range for a product or range of products.

    EIB at COP27

    Find an overview of EIB at COP27 on our dedicated website (https://bit.ly/3EE793P). The EIB has a pavilion in the side event area of the blue zone and is running a series of events on numerous topics. You will find the full agenda here (https://bit.ly/3WWYZun). You are welcome to join our virtual attendee hub to watch the sessions either live or later at your convenience, and network with attendees. With an easy two-step registration process, you will always have the latest information on our agenda.

    Background information:
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union and is owned by the EU Member States. The EIB Group has adopted a Climate Bank Roadmap (https://bit.ly/3E3SWeY) to deliver on its ambitious agenda to support €1 trillion of climate action and environmental sustainability investments in the decade to 2030 and to deliver more than 50% of EIB finance for climate action and environmental sustainability by 2025. As part of the roadmap, all new EIB Group operations have been aligned with the goals and principles of the Paris Agreement since the start of 2021.

    EIB Global (https://bit.ly/3ttmH3H) is the EIB Group’s new specialized arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe (https://bit.ly/3O10io1), alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world (https://bit.ly/3A8N8iP).

    Allianz Global Investors:

    Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 600 investment professionals in 20 offices worldwide and managing €578 billion in assets. We invest for the long term and seek to generate value for clients every step of the way. We do this by being active – in how we partner with clients and anticipate their changing needs, and build solutions based on capabilities across public and private markets. Our focus on protecting and enhancing our clients’ assets leads naturally to a commitment to sustainability to drive positive change. Our goal is to elevate the investment experience for clients, whatever their location or objectives.