Home Africa
Category:

Africa

Africa

Winners Announced for Africa Skills Revolution Competition, Celebrating Young Talent in Vocational Education

by Brian Yatich
written by Brian Yatich

The Africa Skills Revolution competition has unveiled its winners, spotlighting the remarkable achievements of African youth engaged in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The initiative, which highlights the critical role of skills development in driving socioeconomic growth across the continent, aligns with the African Union’s Year for Education 2024.

Launched as a pivotal component of the Africa Skills Revolution Initiative—a partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and Humana People to People—the competition aims to reshape perceptions of vocational education by showcasing how equipping young Africans with practical skills can lead to transformative changes in their communities and tackle both local and global challenges.

With an impressive 490 participants from 36 African nations, the competition featured inspiring stories, among which several stood out:

  • Huda Arbab, 29, from Kenya, Founder of Craft for Life Business
  • Victory Naleh Befii, 32, from Nigeria, working at the TVET Centre, A+ Agency Fashion Academy
  • Jonathan Shauri Kalibatha, 24, from Rwanda
  • Omar Malak Abshir, 28, from Somalia
  • Raina Augustus, 35, from Namibia

Huda Arbab, one of the competition’s winners, articulated her mission, stating, “In the Kakuma refugee camp, many women face significant economic and social challenges. Our handmade products are gaining traction globally due to increasing demand for unique and ethically-sourced items. I aspire to be more than just a designer; I aim to be a catalyst for change.”

Another standout winner, Victory Naleh Befii, emphasizes her dedication to revolutionizing the African fashion industry, asserting, “Creativity can drive social change and economic growth. I want to be a change-maker.”

The competition, which ran from August 26 to September 26, evaluated projects based on passion, ambition, inspiring potential, and contributions to social and economic development. Luckson Soda, Director of DAPP Zimbabwe, expressed immense pride in the participants, stating, “Their projects showcase the innovation that TVET fosters. These young individuals are proving vocational education’s effectiveness in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Mr. Symerre Grey-Johnson, Director of Human Capital and Institutional Development at AUDA-NEPAD, added, “We observe countless young people driving progress in their communities. They’re not just acquiring skills—they’re utilizing them to create meaningful impacts, from launching small businesses to addressing local issues and boosting their economies.”

Though the competition highlights success stories, the Africa Skills Revolution represents far more than an event; it embodies a transformative movement aimed at unlocking the full potential of Africa’s youth.

Despite its proven advantages, TVET is often underestimated and perceived as a lesser alternative to traditional education. This initiative strives to change that narrative.

Through advocacy campaigns and surveys, the Africa Skills Revolution seeks to amplify the voices of young Africans, empowering them to articulate their visions for the continent’s future.

0 comments 48 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaHealth

African Women Leaders Unite to Combat Breast Cancer with New Council

by Brian Yatich
written by Brian Yatich

A coalition of African women leaders on Wednesday established the Africa Breast Cancer Council, supported by Roche, one of the world’s leading biotech firms.

The new Council aims to tackle the escalating breast cancer crisis on the continent, where the disease has become the most prevalent cancer among women and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality.

Breast cancer survival rates in sub-Saharan Africa are alarmingly low, with only one in two women expected to survive five years post-diagnosis.

In response, the Council will harness the diverse expertise of its members to advocate for policy changes, enhance collaboration, and improve patient outcomes across African nations.

Their mission includes fostering systemic improvements in healthcare infrastructure, accessibility, and funding, with an initial focus on healthcare systems receptive to innovation and partnerships.

Dr. Miriam Mutebi, a member of the Council and a Breast Cancer Surgical Oncologist at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, emphasized the significance of launching the Council during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We are using this month to amplify our collective voice, highlighting the urgent need to address the unacceptable toll of breast cancer on African women,” she stated.

The Council aims to reduce the average time to diagnosis from over six months to just 60 days, addressing critical gaps in healthcare that hinder timely treatment.

Currently, more than 60% of women in Kenya are diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage, often due to systemic inefficiencies and a lack of awareness regarding symptoms and self-examination.

Barriers such as geographic distance to healthcare facilities and inadequate integrated health systems complicate patient pathways and elevate treatment costs.

Wendy Cupido, Co-chair of the Africa Breast Cancer Council and General Manager at Roche South Africa, highlighted the collective strength of the Council.

Each member brings vital knowledge and expertise to the table. Together, we aim to create a unified force to address significant concerns surrounding breast cancer care.

Dr. Magda Robalo, another Council member and President of the Institute for Global Health and Development, stressed the urgency of their mission.

“Most African women are diagnosed too late, and many do not receive the necessary treatment. This injustice is preventable, and we will advocate for governments to allocate the resources needed to change this narrative,” she asserted.

The Africa Breast Cancer Council stands poised to make a significant impact on breast cancer care in Africa, driving efforts to ensure that women receive timely diagnoses and effective treatment, ultimately improving survival rates across the continent.

0 comments 1.1K views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaEnergy

African Energy Event Set to Draw Key Stakeholders from Across the Continent

by Brian Yatich
written by Brian Yatich

The Investing in African Energy event is set to welcome over 80 ministers and senior officials from African governments, energy departments, and regulatory bodies next month.

The event is expected to draw more than 1,600 delegates, including industry leaders and policymakers, all eager to collaborate on vital issues affecting the continent’s energy landscape.

Kicking off on October 7, the event will begin with an exclusive ministerial symposium that centers on the theme: “Fostering Innovation, Attracting Investment, and Promoting Sustainable Growth in the Oil, Gas, and Energy Sectors.” Attendees will include influential energy leaders from a diverse array of countries, such as South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and more, reflecting the continent’s rich tapestry of energy resources and regulatory environments.

In addition to government officials, the event will host high-level delegations from national oil companies and various multilateral organizations, including the African Union (AU) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), underscoring the event’s significance in the regional energy dialogue.

Participants will have ample networking opportunities to engage with C-suite executives from over 760 leading energy companies during daily sessions aimed at fostering relationships and facilitating major investment deals.

Paul Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, expressed enthusiasm about the caliber of delegates expected at this year’s event.

“With significant oil and gas discoveries across Africa, in addition to ongoing energy transitions and geopolitical shifts, it is imperative that the sector receives strategic intervention. The high-profile attendance underscores AOW as a pivotal platform for these necessary discussions,” Sinclair stated.

The forum will address several critical themes, including sustainable upstream development, expanding gas value chains, renewable energy initiatives, state-of-the-art technology adoption, and enhanced access to financing.

As a grand finale, the event will culminate in a special celebration at the historic Groot Constantia Vineyard, marking the 30th anniversary of the AOW.

The Investing in African Energy event is owned and organized by Sankofa Events and will take place from October 7 to 10, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC 2). This premier gathering unites leaders from across the energy sector to forge policy, share discoveries, attract investment, and ultimately help shape the future of Africa’s energy landscape.

0 comments 71 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaEnergy

From Mine to Market: How Africa Could Become a Top Lithium Supplier

by Brian Yatich
written by Brian Yatich

Earlier this year, market research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecast Africa’s lithium production to triple year-on-year in 2024, increasing the continent’s share of global output from 4% to over 10%.

The rise can be attributed to a surge in financing from China, which is responsible for 90% of Africa’s planned lithium supply through 2030.

Africa’s position within the global lithium market will be a key talking point of this year’s Critical Minerals Africa summit (https://CriticalMineralsAfrica.com) – taking place in Cape Town on November 6-7 – where a dedicated Minerals Showcase: Lithium session will explore the continent’s future role in the energy transition as a major producer of the critical mineral.

Lithium is an essential element for the energy transition, as it’s used in a variety of applications including batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Zimbabwe is home to the world’s largest known deposits of lithium and is estimated to have the highest number of lithium projects under exploration in Africa.

In April 2024, Chinese mining company Rwizi Rukuru commissioned a 300-ton-per-day lithium concentrator in Mutoko – the third lithium processing plant located in the country’s Mashonaland East province. With investment flowing across the country’s mining value chain, Zimbabwe is estimated to meet upwards of 20% of global demand if its full potential is unlocked.

CMA is the largest gathering of critical mineral stakeholders in Africa. Taking place from November 6-7 in Cape Town, the event positions Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals.

This year’s edition takes place under the theme Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth, connecting African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders to untap the full potential of the continent’s raw materials. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Meanwhile, newly-formed joint venture (JV) Deccan Gold Mozambique LDA announced in May 2024 that it will conduct lithium exploration activities in Mozambique’s Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Belt. The company will establish a 100-ton-per-day lithium processing facility, leveraging a $10-million capital injection from JV partner Deccan over the next three years.

Lithium produced from the Mozambican concessions will be exported to India to meet growing demand for critical minerals crucial for the energy transition. Also in the East African region, mining exploration company Aterian recently announced plans to start drilling at the HCK lithium project in southern Rwanda by September 2024.

Positive results indicate the presence of lithium-bearing minerals at the mining project, and the company is now advancing with preparatory work and the drill planning stage.

In Mali, Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng Lithium finalized an agreement worth more than $342 million in May 2024 to acquire a 40% stake in the Mali Lithium Project from Australian mining firm Leo Lithium.

The deal will enable Ganfeng Lithium to buy the entire output from phase one of the 506,000-ton-per-year project. In the same month, exploration and development company Atlantic Lithium disclosed promising drilling outcomes at its Ewoyaa project in Ghana, highlighting the growth potential of existing lithium resources, which currently stand at 35.3 million tons.

In addition to Africa’s raw lithium prospects, several countries are exploring opportunities for local value addition. Earlier this month, Zimbabwean mining company Kivumba Mining House signed a $310-million deal to construct a 3 million-ton-per-year lithium processing plant at the Sandawana mine in Mberengwa.

The facility is expected to be operational within 18 months and will initially produce 600,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually, falling under the country’s efforts to ban the export of unprocessed raw lithium.

A similar move by Tanzania was announced last year, as the country aims to maximize value addition across its critical mineral industry through the development of downstream infrastructure.

The government has outlined an export license process, stating that mining companies are required to establish in-country refining facilities alongside their respective operations.

0 comments 141 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaHealth

Gates-Funded Report Highlights 24 Leading African Health Supply Chain Innovators

by Joyce Karanja
written by Joyce Karanja

Healthcare consulting firm Salient Advisory has launched its latest market intelligence report, focusing on 24 leading Africa-focused supply chain innovators which appear to be on the cusp of more substantive impact.

Funded by the Gates Foundation, the report titled “Leading Innovations Enabling Health Product Access in Africa”, finds that, amid difficult macro- economic realities and dwindling investment in African technology ecosystems, a select number of African health innovators are emerging as leaders.

Having operated for 10 years on average, the 24 leading innovators collectively now partner with 100 plus manufacturers and 75 public health institutions, reaching around 50,000 providers who serve hundreds of thousands of patients per day and delivering health products to millions of consumers directly.

Kasha made news capturing  that Series B investment last year, and has since gone on to build its health technology access platform and report annual revenues of more than $50 million in 2023 ,the highest ever recorded by Salient’s research to date.

Like Kasha, innovators that offer digitally-enabled Order and Inventory Management services to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and drug shops appear dominant amongst the leading companies, making up 13 of the 24 featured innovations, with operations in 30 countries.

Four leading Online Pharmacies are reaching nearly 10 million customers and generating median annual revenues of nearly $9M. The other categories featured are innovations in Product Protection and Visibility, Medical Drone Delivery and Data Analytics.

While leading innovators now appear positioned to deliver more substantive impact, they require targeted engagement from governments, donors, industry and global health institutions to transform access for unserved populations and improve the cost-effectiveness of care.

To leverage leading innovators’ models in driving increases in access, governments, industry, donors and global health agencies should: simplify regulatory pathways; explore innovators’ ability to generate cost- savings for health systems, pursuing partnerships when the evidence is strong; and evolve contracting and payment systems to enable innovators to partner in healthcare delivery systems at larger scale.

Speaking during the launch of the report, Yomi Kazeem the Engagement Manager said that the 24 leading innovators featured includes Chefaa, DrugStoc, Field Inc, Figorr, Grinta, Health Plus, Kasha, Life Bank, Maisha Meds, Meditect, mPedigree, MYDAWA, Pendulum, PharmaSecure, Remedial Health, RxAll, Sobrus, Sproxil, Talamus Health, VIA Global Health, Viebeg, Wingcopter, Yodawy and Zipline.

‘’The findings underscore the remarkable resilience and growing impact of African supply chain innovators. Having tracked health tech startups for many years, the emergence of a group of leading innovators is exciting to report. Local and global public health communities must increasingly recognize and leverage the innovators in developing reliable and resilient health supply chains.” Ann Allen, Senior Program Officer at Gates Foundation, commented:

“Technology-enabled innovations have the potential to help reverse long-running challenges in African health systems, while creating local jobs and strengthening local health markets. The report confirms innovators are increasingly positioned to deliver on this promise. However, there is more to be done as leveraging these innovations to truly transform cost-effective access for millions of unserved Africans will require concerted efforts from governments, industry and global
health agencies alike’’

0 comments 142 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaEnvironmentHealth

Republic of Congo Citizens Decry Health issues from Harmful Company Pollutions

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

The Congolese authorities and three industrial companies have failed to adhere to taking action in respecting international and national norms regarding the right to a healthy environment for the citizens of the Republic of Congo. Based on the Amnesty International report an analysis of the potential impact of oil spills and smoke emissions on the health and socio-economic situation of local communities.

The report, “In the Shadow of Industries in the Republic of Congo”, sheds light on several cases of oil spills on soil and water sources, and smoke emissions from aluminum and lead furnaces linked to the activities of two oil companies and one recycling company in the Pointe-Noire and Kouilou areas. The oil spills and pollution of the air are attributed to increment in respiratory diseases and surge in affections among the children.

This is evident by the struggles that are faced by locals as they lack access to healthy drinking water for people living around oil concessions in the coastal area.

Samira Daoud Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa,  pointed out that the establishment of a non-ferrous metals and plastics recycling plant and the management of oil spills show that authorities are failing to meet their obligations to protect the human rights of people living near industrial activity.

However, in addition, mentioned that while Congolese legislation on environmental issues is considered to be fairly advanced, our documented cases, in particular, are affecting the population.

The report highlights a significant lack of transparency in environmental impact assessments and audits, which are not made public. This opacity prevents NGOs and civil society from effectively carrying out their monitoring role. The authorities and companies are also limiting the information made public following environmental incidents and in their responses.

Residents claiming health problems following oil spills

In the village of Djeno in the Pointe-Noire area, TotalEnergies EP Congo, a subsidiary of the French company TotalEnergies, has had at least three incidents since 1972 – the last one in 2011, that resulted in crude oil spills into the Loubi lagoon. The company detailed the measures taken to clean up the lagoon and to share information with residents, but many continue to denounce the pollution and lack of information.

A local fish seller said to Amnesty International: “Not only did the number of fish decrease, but customers also began to complain of diarrhea, as well as the taste of the fish.” Indeed, residents reported suffering from health problems, particularly diarrhea, after eating fish from the lagoon.

Republic of Congo

A fisherman showing a small fish and an oil lump collected from a polluted river

The company maintains that water analyses carried out in 2021 did not reveal any anomaly and that they carry out regular tests to monitor groundwater quality. However, these test results have not been made public. Despite pleas by residents, the authorities never investigated the potential harm of past spills of oil on the environmental, economic, and social rights of residents, including the right to health.

In Banga Kayo, 30km from Pointe-Noire, residents accuse the Chinese oil and gas company Wing Wah of polluting the Loémé River and point to the lack of transparency regarding repair and follow-up measures following incidents – the last incident being the leak of the pipeline linking Banga Kayo to the Djeno oil terminal in December 2022. Wing Wah’s activities were suspended several times by the Ministry of Environment and then resumed without any public communication on potential reparation and mitigation measures taken by the company.

Blood tests showing possible lead contamination

In Vindoulou, on the outskirts of Pointe Noire, a collective of residents have been complaining for years about the smoke coming out of the Metssa Congo factory, a recycling plant located 50 meters from a school. This subsidiary of the Indian group Metssa notably produces lead bars for exportation.

In March 2023, blood samples were taken from 18 people living near the factory, and analyzed in an independent laboratory with the support of Amnesty International. All residents of the region in the Republic of Congo had lead levels well above the level deemed safe by WHO.

“Children regularly vomit and cough a lot, especially when there is a lot of smoke”, a local woman told Amnesty International. Several other residents reported experiencing similar symptoms. Metssa Congo claims that it took the necessary steps to treat the fumes emitted.

Before the factory’s installation in 2013, Metssa Congo failed to carry out an environmental impact assessment, in violation of Congolese law. Despite this, the authorities allowed Metssa to start operating. The company claims to have been granted a site license in 2018 and to have obtained a certificate of environmental compliance last year – 10 years after opening.

“The Metssa Congo factory’s impact on human rights should be investigated without delay. This must be followed by immediate action to remedy any harms identified; this may include the relocation of the factory,” said Samira Daoud.

The report also shows how authorities failed to protect the right to health and the right to water of residents of Bondi, Tchicanou, and Kouakouala, three villages located near a site of oil extraction. Even though these villages benefited from the state’s “Water for All” program, their water facilities were no longer functional at the time of Amnesty International’s visit, and the health center, supposed to cover the needs of around 7,000 residents, had very insufficient resources.

Action is needed from all stakeholders – including international partners

“As the Republic of Congo plans to diversify its industrial activities, Amnesty International calls on the Congolese state to ensure businesses act responsibly and comply with their environmental and human rights obligations. International partners should ensure that the companies from their own country, and their subsidiaries, comply with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” said Samira Daoud.

“Amnesty International also calls on the Congolese authorities to use all available resources to protect the right to health and the right to water in conformity with their international human rights obligations.”

Amnesty International shared the preliminary findings of this report with the companies and relevant authorities for a ‘right to reply’ in January, February, and March 2024. At the time of writing, no responses had been received from the authorities and Wing Wah. The responses of the other companies are provided in the report

0 comments 283 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaBusiness

Africa Finance Corporation, Alstom Partner to Build Kinshasa Rail Project

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

Africa Finance Corporation a leading infrastructure solutions provider in partnership with Alstom a pioneer in sustainable mobility is set to propel the development of the MetroKin rail project in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kinshasa rail project is set to unfold in four phases, starting with the overhaul of a 25km stretch from Kinshasa’s central station to N’Djili International Airport, completely upgrading the existing railway.

Through an MoU, the partners have committed to finalizing the prior commitment with Trans Connexion Congo (TCC) to develop a mass transit system that extends over 300km of the Kinshasa rail project, the most populous city in Africa. Erick Onepunga Yongo, Managing Director of MetroKin said: “Under the lead of AFC, with the support of Alstom and the Congolese government, the materialisation of this project becomes effective through the project company MetroKin.SA“.

This is a crucial infrastructure as Kinshasa faces critical transport challenges, exacerbated by rapid population growth and inadequate development. Considering that the current transportation system meets less than half of the daily demand, according to the city’s urban transport master plan.

Thus, the project aims to expand and modernize the existing rail network, improving connectivity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly cutting transportation times between the suburbs and the city center.

AFC with this move is committed to building on an initial investment of US$3 million to advance the project development phase, leading to financial closure. As the Mandated Lead Arranger, AFC is spearheading this transformative urban project.

In an aim to provide a next-level transport system, Alstom has been brought on board based on its expertise as a strategic industrial partner supporting the broader goal of enhancing urban mobility across Africa. Evidenced by its experience in South Africa’s urban train systems and regional projects like the Dakar Express train and Abidjan’s first metro line.

According to Amadou Wadda, Senior Director of Project Development & Technical Solutions at AFC, the expertise displayed by Alstom is crucial as the Kinshasa Rail Project is pushed forward to enhance Kinshasa’s economic landscape, creating numerous jobs, and transforming lives.

Bernard Peille, Managing Director at Alstom for Africa stated that the aim is to contribute to the city’s development ambitions by leveraging our global expertise and supporting its citizens in their mobility needs.

“Through our enhanced presence in the region, Alstom is committed to partnering with MetroKin to support the development of an effective mass urban transit solution for Kinshasa,” said Bernard.

0 comments 249 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaBusiness

AfDB Annual Meeting Emphasizes Creation of Opportunities

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

The question of unemployment of the majority population in Africa was at the heart of a forum hosted by the Kenyan government on May 27 on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi.

For so long Africa has been known for its generally youthful population, however, the majority of these young people are unemployed despite their innovativeness and dynamism. Hence, the question is is the continent harnessing this demographic dividend to its advantage?

The panel discussion, “Harnessing Human Capital for Sustainable Growth and Development in Africa: Demographic Dividend and Circular Movement of Skilled Labour,” rallied experts to deliberate on the issue.

Prof Njuguna Ndung’u, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, emphasized the importance of aligning skills development with emerging market opportunities to leverage human capital effectively. “If you don’t have human capital expertise, you will lag,” he said.

William Asiko, Rockefeller Foundation Vice President for Africa, highlighted Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent announcement that carbon credits will be Kenya’s next significant export by 2030. He noted that this initiative could create numerous jobs but stressed the necessity of developing the right skills to seize this opportunity. “Artificial Intelligence carbon markets are the big issues now. Can we develop these skills for the future?” he posed.

Martha Phiri, the Director of the Human Capital, Youth, and Skills Development Division at the African Development Bank (AfDB), shared the Bank’s new 10-year strategy, 2024-2033.

She emphasized that a healthy, productive, and innovative workforce is essential for Africa’s transformation. “A workforce that can ensure food security, drive power plants, enhance transport connectivity, and foster industrialization is crucial.”

Phiri pointed out the importance of derisking youth participation in investments across the value chains. “We need to ensure we not only build the necessary skills for young people, but invest in their businesses, and enhance derisking instruments to ensure youth are seen as bankable.”

The private sector was crucial for mobilizing human capital development resources. The panel emphasized the need to establish instruments encouraging private sector participation to optimize growth.

The discussions at AfDB annual meetings called for igniting the right policies and initiatives to bridge the resource gap, alongside policies that address the mismatch between skills taught in classrooms and what the labor market offers.

0 comments 233 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaClimate Change

India sends US$ 1 million flood relief assistance to Kenya

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

The government of India is extending humanitarian assistance to the Government of Kenya in the wake of the devastation caused by the floods that have hit the country. 38 out of 47 counties have been affected. An estimated 267 people have died, 188 injured and over 2,80,000 displaced.

A relief consignment is being airlifted today on an Indian Air Force plane that comprises of 22 tons humanitarian assistance and disaster relief items (HADR) including tents, sleeping bags/mats, blankets, power generation sets, ready-to-eat meals, basic sanitary utilities, and hygiene kits to provide immediate succor to the people of Kenya.

The consignment also contains about 18 tons of medical aid, comprising essential life-saving drugs and surgical equipment required for critical care and wound management. It also includes items required for baby food, water purification, menstrual hygiene, repelling mosquitoes, malaria and dengue diagnostic kits, anti-venom treatment, and several types of testing kits that can be readily deployed on the ground.

Indian Naval ship INS Sumedha had earlier reached Mombasa on 10th May to extend immediate relief comprising one HADR pallet and two medical pallets.

The assistance to Kenya is a reiteration of our strong and friendly relations with the country, in the spirit of South-South cooperation and our commitment to keeping Africa on top of our priorities, as spelled out by PM Narendra Modi.

India also extends deep sympathies to the government and people of the Republic of Kenya for the damage and destruction caused by the floods.

0 comments 283 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AfricaEducation

Nairobi Innovation Week Prioritizes Collaboration for Enhanced Innovation

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

During the Nairobi Innovation Week, a two-day event at the University of Nairobi, stakeholders together with academia, industry stakeholders, innovators, and start-ups as well as the student community came together to discuss how to bolster the country’s innovation ecosystem.

The event was conducted under this year’s theme dubbed ‘Strengthening Innovation Ecosystem in Higher Education Institutions through Academia-Industry-Government-Community Linkages for Sustainable Development’. Its occurrence is a crucial step toward creating more opportunities for the youth population which stands at 19.5 million, with projections to increase by 16 percent to 22.7 million by 2030.

Notably, a majority of these young people are well-educated and inclined towards innovation-driven growth attributed to the report unveiling that in the investment space, in 2023, Kenya was the largest recipient of fintech investments across the African continent, receiving approximately 670 billion dollars spread across 665 start-ups, making Kenya Africa’s top destination for start-up funding. 

It’s evident that the technology landscape has rapidly evolved and as of March 31, 2023, the number of mobile subscribers reached 66.1 million, with 17.86 million internet users recorded in January 2023.

According to Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade & Industry Rebecca Miano, there is a need for stronger linkages between training institutions and the industry revealing her target to double foreign direct investments as well as domestic investments, increase exports, and reduce imports of products that we can produce in the country and grow our manufacturing industry from 7.6% to 15% to drive a double-digit economy by 2027.

However, CS Miano stressed that this can only be possible through accelerating innovation in the country which is key for industrial breakthroughs and economic growth. She commended the University of Nairobi for bringing together a convening rich of stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.

Nairobi Innovation Week

Absa Bank Kenya MD & CEO Abdi Mohamed, University of Nairobi DVC Academic Affairs Prof Leonidah Kerubo, Elgon Kenya MD Dr. Bimal Kantaria, University of Nairobi VC Prof. Stephen Kiama and Innovator of the Year and Soapstone Shop Chief Soapstone Officer Mogusu Momanyi share a light moment during the 2024 Nairobi Innovation Week held to strengthen the innovation ecosystem through government-industry-academia linkages.

Based on the World Intellectual Property Organisation ranking, Kenya’s innovation ecosystem is at number 8 out of 28 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in its 16th edition of the 2023 Global Innovation Index Report. An essential recognition of Kenya’s workforce among the best globally in innovation, creativity, and productivity.

Absa Kenya MD Abdi Mohamed remarked that Kenya is a pivotal market for innovation calling attention to the global spectrum. Kenya is viewed as one of the hotspots of innovation in agriculture, health, and fintech sectors gaining the name ‘Silicon Savannah’ for Kenya.

Mohamed stated that as a private sector entity, they acknowledged their significant role in driving the innovation ecosystem and expressed their eagerness to participate in such discussions. He mentioned that the approach at Absa was to perceive innovation as an ecosystem that could be commercialized to scale up ideas from innovators and start-ups, potentially leading to the emergence of entities like Absa or M-Pesa. He emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing this dialogue.

Regarding innovation, Mohamed highlighted the priority of nurturing entrepreneurial skills and preparing the youth for both employment and entrepreneurship. He noted that in 2017, Absa had launched the Ready To Work program, an online training initiative aimed at providing young individuals with essential digital and soft skills. Mohamed stated that the program aimed to train 1 million youths, and so far, it has impacted over 300,000 young people, aiding in their smooth transition from higher education institutions to the job market.

The host University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama echoed the importance of Nairobi Innovation Week as a platform by the University of Nairobi to bring together different players and stakeholders, a linkage between the industry and the academia to provide solutions, that is through innovation and entrepreneurship, to problems that confront us as a nation and contribute to the 2063 African Agenda and the attainment of SDGs.

0 comments 377 views
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
OKB price
5909.46 KES+1.8%