Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) launches $6million warehousing facility for Kenyan Small.and Medium Businesses

Nairobi, October 28, 2020 – Integrated property and logistics investment company, Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) has today launched $6million warehousing facility for Kenya small businesses. In under 4 years since its inception ALP has raised $150 million dollars to fulfil its purpose of constructing modern grade A warehouse facilities in East Africa with $50m of this already invested in Kenya. ALP completed their first facility, ALP North in 2019, measuring 540,000square feet this facility is already 75% occupied. The company’s second project, ALP West will measure more than 1million square feet.

From Right Dr. Francis Owino – Principal Secretary, State Department for Industrialisation, Hon. Betty Maina – Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development and Richard Hough – CEO, Africa Logistics Properties during the launch of ALP West Logistics Park at Tilisi Industrial Park. Image courtesy Hill and Knowlton Strategies.

The ALP West facility sits on an expansive 49 acres that comprise of seven phases. Phase one, is already 20% pre-leased and is targeting small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking modern storage facilities with a minimum let of 5,300square feet.

“The foundational approach we are taking is a demonstration of our commitment to a long-term investment in meeting Kenya’s warehousing and logistics demands. This is focused on industry and retail warehousing, commodity warehousing, cold storage and E-Commerce,” said ALP’s CEO, Richard Hough.

The rest of the phases will be dedicated to larger enterprises who will operate from grade-A warehouses that allow users to operate logistics at international standards, which is on demand by both local, regional and international companies.

 “Vision 2030 prioritizes development of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) parks, industrial and technology parks, industrial manufacturing clusters and upgrading of products from small and medium enterprises. What we are witnessing at Tilisi Logistics Park is a development that ties government long-term plans cater for supply and demands for manufacturing and industrialization,” said Hon. Betty Maina, Cabinet Secretary – Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development

“Businesses around the world have undergone a difficult time due to the pandemic and ALP has not been an exception. We had to make difficult decisions around the business, but I am pleased to announce that we have managed to keep our delivery timelines and retain hundreds of employees working with us during this challenging time. However, during the Covid-19 period, we have witnessed a general rise in demand for modern warehouse facilities, as well as, a consumer behaviour shift to online shopping which has fuelled an already increasing surge in e-commerce and demand for quality built warehouses for improved supply chain and logistics and within the region,” Mr. Hough said.

ALP is currently in discussion with various local, regional and international companies, who own land in various parts of the Eastern African region to either development or upgrade their warehouses and factories on their behalf, through sale and leaseback options or through a pre-determined lease agreement.

“At ALP, we aim to build high-quality logistics warehouses for our clients to meet their increasing need for greater services and amenities in a mushrooming East Africa urban environment. This is just but the first phase and we remain committed to our purpose to provide affordable and quality warehousing solutions for businesses in Kenya and Eastern Africa,” Mr. Hough added.

Global digital healthcare giant launches platform to access doctors

• Kenyans to access doctors, tele-health consult from a touch of a button

·         Patients now able to search, compare and book doctors in under a minute

Nairobi, October 29^th 2020: Global digital healthcare giant Vezeeta has today launched a health-tech platform that will enable Kenyans access doctors from their smart phones.

The app – Vezeeta, is available for both Android and IOS users via Google and Apple App stores with 24 hours 7 days a week medical access in all the 47 counties. Patients will now be able to search, compare and book doctors in under a minute.

To book a doctor via the app, Kenyans can download the app on their smartphones, sign up, choose a medical specialty area of interest, region and insurance cover and proceed on to select your preferred doctor.

According to Nana Frimpong, Vice President, Africa, Vezeeta, the platform will provide Kenyans with an opportunity to access doctors across various disciplines on their terms. Through our App and website, Kenyans will be able to access expert medical advice from the safety of their homes and receive professional guidance on identifying and dealing with COVID-19, without risking exposure.

“As COVID-19 outbreak continues to present complex healthcare challenges to the public, we see our role and responsibility as a health-tech leader and trusted partner to ensure that the well-being and health of our patients remains uninterrupted,” noted Mr. Frimpong. 

“As a digital healthcare giant that serves and empowers patients in every step of their healthcare journey through data and technology, we are proud to support Kenya’s Ministry’s digital economy blueprint that recognizes ICT as a key enabler for quality healthcare,” noted Mr. Frimpong.

Currently, the app has over 30 specialty areas that range from chest and respiratory, dentistry, dermatology, neurology, orthopedics and ENT among others with medical experts all registered under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.

“We believe that through this initiative, we are supporting not only the Government of Kenya but also empowering Kenyans to make more informed decisions on their healthcare choices and improve access to doctors in general,” concluded Mr. Frimpong.

With a globally network of 30000 locally licensed doctors across 41 medical specialties, Vezeeta is present in 5 other countries – Nigeria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

New Gadget launched To Diagnose 10 Million Plus Kenyans At Risk of Developing Heart Conditions

• 
  Novartis donates 30 handheld portable ultrasound devices targeting rural Kenya and low-income communities who are the most underserved patients. 

• Program aims to reach more than 36 000 patients per year across Kenya, broadening access and helping strengthen the healthcare system

• 115 doctors have been trained in cardiac diagnosis and echocardiogram across the country since February 2018

Nairobi, October 29, 2020 – Today, Novartis, University of Nairobi Enterprises & Services (UNES) Ltd and The Heart Centre unveiled a partnership that aims to broaden access to cardiovascular diagnosis in Kenya. Novartis handed over 30 Butterfly iQ™ ultrasound devices to UNES and The Heart Centre to equip trained doctors who have no access to essential ultrasound equipment, particularly in rural areas across the country. The handheld portable ultrasound devices connected to a mobile phone enable imaging of body organs and tissues at the convenience of a patient, moving away from the bulky and expensive standard echocardiogram equipment. 

Dr Fred Bukachi explains how the device is used by medical practitioners. Image courtesy Newmark Group.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) every year, representing 31% of deaths worldwide. In Kenya, pre-COVID-19, 13% of fatalities were CVD-related, accounting for 25% of hospital admissions, according to the National Stepwise Survey of 2015. A recent WHO survey also revealed that shutting or slowdown in services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is likely to worsen patients’ underlying conditions, leading to more severe cases. Additionally, people with heart disease are, in fact, at a much-increased risk of dying from COVID-19 infection.

Racey Muchilwa Head of Novartis making a presentation during the event.

“There has never been a better time to collaborate to strengthen healthcare systems, broaden patient access and build capacity as the world combats COVID-19,” said Racey Muchilwa, Head of Novartis sub-Saharan Africa region. “Thanks to this partnership, we will be able to significantly shorten diagnosis of heart patients who previously traveled long distances to seek medical help, while making echos more affordable, particularly in rural Kenya, where we have a vast majority of unmet patient needs.”  

Butterfly IQ ultrasound devices. Images courtesy

Under the partnership, Butterfly iQ™ ultrasound devices will be distributed to the select trained doctors spread across the country at no cost. Currently, the cost of an echo ranges between KES 5000-8500, but with the donated ultrasound devices, costs can be significantly reduced to about KES1500, hence improving affordability and access for patients. The program aims to reach at least 36 000 patient per year.

“Public-private-partnerships are crucial for innovative thinking and joint action to strengthen our healthcare systems through capacity building,” said Seith Abeka, the Acting Managing Director of UNES Limited. “We celebrate the incredible milestone that not only equips frontline doctors with cutting-edge diagnosis equipment but also with the necessary expertise to bring quality care, particularly to the underserved communities in Kenya.”

As part of the partnership, 115 healthcare professionals have been trained in Cardiac Diagnosis and Echocardiogram across the country since February 2018. Previously, in 2017 and 2018, there were only 20 doctors who could do echo cardiograms. Out of the 115, Novartis has sponsored 70 doctors, while various county governments or self-sponsorship funded the rest. With this training, the trained doctors, most of whom are based in primary levels of care, will have access to crucial imagining of each of the chambers of the heart, measure the cardiac wall thickness and determine the heart function in cases of reduced output

“Diagnosis is critical for treatment outcomes, particularly for cardiovascular conditions and without proper training, late management could be fatal,” said Dr. Fred Bukachi, a cardiologist and Director at the Heart Centre. “The Butterfly iQ™ ultrasound can diagnose cardiac conditions and at regular intervals, provide information on response to treatment, adherence and other parameters that would improve patient outcomes. With 100 echos done per device per month, we expect a significant change in the individual health of the patient as diagnosis will be received faster, without the need to travel hundreds of kilometers.” 

Emirates SkyCargo maintains supply chains for food and other perishables during COVID-19

Air cargo carrier helped maintain food supplies and support farming communities across the globe

Nairobi, 19 October 2020 – Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, continues to play a vital role in supporting Kenyan businesses through the transportation of essential food commodities using its Boeing 777-300ERs passenger aircrafts from Nairobi to Dubai. 

The air cargo carrier has enhanced the movement of fresh fruits and through the airline’s 10 weekly scheduled flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. In particular, Kenya has exported fresh fruits such as pineapple, avocados, mangoes and chilled goat meat to global markets through Emirates hub in Dubai.

Mr. Saeed Abdulla, Emirates Cargo Manager, East Africa said: “Consumers across the world have integrated international ingredients and produce into their daily diets for taste and nutritional reasons. Members of international diaspora are also looking for comfort food offerings from their home countries in supermarket shelves. With our global network and weekly flight schedule, food items from the Kenyan market retain their freshness as they are rapidly transported to their final destinations and the dining tables of consumers.”

The growth of export markets over the last decade has also provided a boost to farming communities and agriculture in the various production markets. Emirates SkyCargo’s flights provide a quick and direct connection for farmers and exporters of food items to their international end customers, thereby supporting their livelihoods and the local economy.

With every new destination, Emirates SkyCargo opens up one more potential trade lane for food products across the world. As an example, Emirates SkyCargo, through its direct flights, helped create a market for tropical fruits from Vietnam in the Middle East and exports of these products increased nearly five-fold in just one year in 2017.

With COVID-19 and the disruption to international passenger aviation, the supply chain for food products was put into risk of disruption. However, Emirates SkyCargo worked very quickly to restore its international cargo connectivity, growing its network from just around 35 destinations on its freighter aircraft at the end of March to more than 130 destinations by early October on its freighter as well as passenger aircraft. Currently around 500 tonnes of food items are transported every day in the cargo hold of Emirates aircraft across the world.

Mr Abdulla added: “As a socially responsible carrier, we are ensuring that adequate cargo capacity remains available on our widebody aircraft during the COVID-19 pandemic for the transport of urgent medical supplies as well as food items. By doing this, we are able to help countries and supermarkets maintain their food supplies and at the same time help farmers reliant on food exports continue to make their livelihoods in these challenging times.”

Operating in Kenya since 1995, Emirates SkyCargo has been a facilitator of the country’s trade, connecting businesses and markets to the airline’s global network.

NEW HOTEL INVENTION SPELLS DOOM FOR TRADITIONAL CONFERENCING

By Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya 22nd October 2020

Hotels Chains with branches across the country, Africa(wide) or Internationally will now be able to hold Conferences in the multiple branches simultaneously if a new “technology” developed by Pride-Inn Group of Hotels is adopted by Hotel chains across Kenya, regionally or, around the world.

Prideinn Group of Hotels Managing Director Hosnain Noorani during the launch. Image courtesy whistling African.

The new technology referred to as “Revmeet” (established from the words real and virtual) and which will run on Microsoft Teams as made known by PrideInn Group of Hotels Managing Director Hosnain Noorani early this morning as he presided over the launch will be perhaps the newest panacea for problems occasioned by the outbreak of Covid 19 epidemic and the resulting Ministry of Health (MOH(K) guidelines issued to curb the spread of the virus (Social distancing measures) on conference tourism.

“Revmeet” made possible through partnerships with Safaricom and software giant Microsoft will be geared towards improving virtual conferencing experience and capabilities and will be instrumental for Hotel chains who in effort a decongesting the hotel premises may be in a position to hold such events in its various hotel branch chains at once or simultaneously.

Since the outbreak of the Covid19 epidemic in March of this year, many countries including Kenya have imposed guideline thats has made conferencing impossible barred international tourists from travelling to them, ministries of health in this countries have in addition additionally some of these countries have also imposed temporary lockdown measures limiting travel within them. This has over the past 6 months had a catacylismic impact on conference tourism across countries of the world.

The emergence and acceptance of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions MICE as a credible market model driving hotel chains revenue growth has seen a number of Hotels located in the country over the years make considerable investments at enhancing and improving conferencing facilities and now faced with the Covid 19 quagmire seem unsure of how to recoup such investments or how to make comprehensive use of the space.

The hotel manager believes that hybrid meetings models will be essential for stimulating Kenya’s MICE business in a post COVID-19 world. Not only will it serve as an attractive and safe platform for seminars, meetings and training sessions for companies based in Kenya, but it will also help to create confidence among international businesses waiting to return.

Also present at the launch was Microsoft Teams Territory Channel Manager, East Africa, Maria Maali who said; ” As the world continues to adapt to the “new normal” and with the ongoing travel limitations, meeting and event organizers can now choose to offer virtual participation options and hybrid formats that allow for small local gatherings, while also broadcasting to remote attendees and satellite locations”

LG Electronics Gifts Youth Involved in Marketing Campaign With 55 Inch Smart Televisions.

Nairobi, October 20, 2020 – LG Electronics has awarded the top five winners of the just concluded social media competition dubbed the #NanoNiNoma Challenge.

The participants take a group photo during the award ceremony. Image courtesy whistling african.

The 8-week competition, which wrapped up last month, drew over 500 participants countrywide who took up the opportunity to share their own creative ideas on how to best showcase LG’s NanoCell TVs. 100 participants were drawn to be coached by veteran influencers Nameless, Wahu and DJ Mo on content creation and the art of influencing.

Mr Richard Marangi poses for photo with Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director. Next to the 55inch smart television.

Mr. Richard Marangi posea for photo next to Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director. Images courtesy.

Following their tutelage, the participants were required to share final submissions and then proceeded to public voting. Once the public voting was completed, top five winners selected by a combination of votes from online users as well as an in-house judging panel.

Sisters Ms. Mary Nduta (green) and Ms.Grace Gathoni (Red) Pose for a photo with Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director next to the 55 inch LG television that was awarded to them. Images courtesy Hill and Knowlton Strategies.

“We’re very pleased that Kenyan youths took chance to share their ideas and creativity through this campaign while also having the opportunity to get closer to understanding LG’s products and learning from this experience on how to better content creators.,” said Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director. “This unconventional competition was very meaningful to us as it was executed by consumers, evaluated by consumers and shared by consumers.”

Sammy Brayo and Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director pose for a photo. Image courtesy Whistling African.

The top 5 winners include Mary Atieno, Nyakundi the Actor, African Stature, Sammy Brayo and Mary Grace. Each of the winners received a 55’ inch LG NanoCell TV in addition to other merchandise.

Nyakundi the Actor poses for a photo next to Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director

Aside from public voting, LG also held an in-house voting process where employees were requested to vote for their top creative ideas. Four more winners were selected and awarded 55’ inch LG NanoCell TV each. The four who were picked internally include Mwobobia, Maggie Njau, Richard Marangi and Robert Bonke.

Mr Robert Bonke one of the participants poses for photo next to Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director.

Group African Stature and Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director pose for a photo. Images courtesy Whistling African.

LG continues to spearhead innovation that transcends the home, investing in wide-ranging technologies as it pursues improving everyday life. With 2020 NanoCell TVs, the company brought the 4K/8K sets that deliver crisp, detailed picture quality and exceed the industry requirements as defined by the Consumer Technology Association.

Ms. Mary Otieno one of the participants poses for a photo with Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director. Image courtesy Hill and Knowlton Strategies.

“Beyond the unrivaled picture quality that LG’s premium TVs deliver, the NanoCell TV features the company’s advanced technologies such as the AI-integration and futuristic aspects. Thus, setting the standards for immersive cinematic experiences within Kenyan households.” added Mr. Kim.

Mr. Mwobwobia Mac poses for Photo Next to Mr. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG East Africa Managing Director. Images courtesy Hill and Knowlton Strategies.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEADERSHIP APPLAUD RECOMMENDATIONS IN BBI REPORT

By Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya

Wednesday, the 21st November 2020 has earned itself a place in Kenya’s
history and especially to its most vibrant population, students. It’s the day
H.E the President and the former Prime Minister received the Building
Bridges Initiative (BBI) report after months of speculation, hearsay and
apprehension. Most affected by the delayed release of the report were
students who had seen the BBI presentations as an opportunity to address
long-standing grievances by offering lasting solutions.

KUSO president Arch. Anthony Manyara briefs members of the fourth Estate on the newly launched BBI report. Images Courtesy

Through the Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO), which is the
giant students’ representative body, students had made their presentations
on two different occasions, with the former Prime Minister and handshake
co-principal making a special acknowledgment of our efforts in making
students voices be heard in the national dialogue. It is therefore a win to
students to have all our recommendations captured in BBI’s final report!
While Kenyans of different cadres read and synthesize the report, we make
special appeal to the political class to resist the urge to dilute the contents of
the report to align with their misleading hustler campaign that rejects long-
term solutions and advocates for enslavement through tokenism and
seasonal philanthropy. It is in the best interest of all Kenyans to be allowed
time to read and make their informed judgments regarding the document
that envisions an empowered youthful population.

Immediately the document was availed for Kenyans to read, KUSO through
its top officials, identified key issues relating to students and youths in
general, that featured in the BBI Report as per the recommendations that we
had presented.
The most prominent youth-elevating recommendations captured being:
Youths will be given a 7-Year Tax Holiday once they establish a start
up business,
a Four-Year grace period for repayment of HELB loan will be given
from the day of graduation, a Youth Commission shall be established as a constitutional
commission to ensure the mainstreaming of the youth perspectives in
planning and decision making.
We, thus, welcome the BBI’s proposal to establish office of the Youth
Commissioner in mainstreaming the youth voice in public discourses. We
understand that this goes a long way towards redefining the hustler narrative
that is nearly enslaving youths and corroding their potential. We further
support the one salary proposal as a roadmap towards taming the rising wage
bill while simultaneously promoting efficiency and effectiveness in service
delivery.
It’s also extremely vital to assure and reassure Kenyans, students being
barometers of knowledge that they are, will forever stand for progress not
retrogress. Our eyes are set on a broad and secure path that leads to economic
healing, equity, equality, peace and reconciliation, social cohesion and unity,
acceleration of economic policies and above all, empowerment of the youth.
Given the timing of the BBI process with regard to the next election,
students will take their rightful place during the popularizing and passage of
the report since it will set the ball rolling for the country’s political and
economic future.
The BBI moment has afforded students and the youth a rare opportunity to
be part of a positive change process and that is an opportunity we gladly
embrace. BBI is our voice and we must be heard.

Finally, as KUSO, we hereby and categorically state the following:

1. Every Kenyan of good intent to move with speed and critically read the
   Building Bridges Initiative report. Read. Analyze. Understand.
   Enlighten. Support!
2. BBI aims at renegotiating a radical rethinking of the conduct of politics
   in Kenya. After every election, our country needs peace for economic
   catch-up. It’s important we leave out political camps as we make
   decisions.
   Prioritize we, above self.
3. BBI recognizes the philosophical ideal that Kenya is bigger than an
   individual and therefore the welfare of all Kenyans should come before
   self-interests.
4. Politicians to desist from falsehoods and mongering of fake and
   corrupted information on the contents of BBI report.
5. Read the report!
   Arch. Antony Manyara
   President,
   Kenya Universities Students’ Organization (KUSO);
   Youth Advocacy, Africa (YAA)

Africa and Asia’s Food Security ‘Tipping Point’ & the Hope forCollaborative Solutions this World Food Day

Op ed by

Dr. Samira Amellal Dr. Siang Hee Tan
Director General / CEO Executive Director CropLife Africa Middle East CropLife Asia

In a year when the World Food Programme has been rightfully recognized in receiving the Nobel
Peace Prize, the state of global food security is in the spotlight this World Food Day more than ever.
For Africa and Asia in particular, the critical needs and challenges driving this renewed awareness are
sadly only growing.
As if 2020 hadn’t delivered enough heartbreak and grief, a barrel-full more made its way to Africa
and Asia in July – and marked a troubling ‘tipping point’ for the two continents’ collective efforts to
deliver a safe, affordable and nutritious supply of food to those who need it most.
This particular unwelcomed arrival came in the form of new data detailing each region’s food supply
resiliency (or lack thereof) and toll taken on the populations of both. While the two continents regularly
rank “1” and “2” globally in all the wrong categories on this front, the recently released United Nations
(UN) annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World only reaffirmed that positioning.
According to the report, the largest number of undernourished people (381 million) reside in Asia.
However, Africa is actually growing in this category at the fastest rate and currently ranked second
with 250 million.
The impact of COVID-19 has only exacerbated the larger landscape and challenges for the two.
The UN estimates that an unimaginable three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet – and in
sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, this holds true for more than half of the population.
Tragically, the youth of the two regions are suffering in particular. The UN Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) recently noted that an additional 6.7 million children under the age of five could suffer
from wasting (a form of malnutrition) resulting from socio-economic fallout attributable to the
pandemic. Among these young children, 80% would be from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Beyond the ‘red flag’ metrics, it’s also been a tough year on the ground for the men and women who
grow the nutritious food on which both continents’ populations depend. Africa and Asia’s smallholder
farmers have had to contend with unprecedented swarms of locusts that have laid waste to tens of
thousands of hectares of crops and vegetation. East Africa has felt the brunt of this, while growers in
India and Pakistan continue to do their best to cope as well.
The locust swarms are only the latest invasive pests that farmers in Africa and Asia have faced in the
field. The Fall Armyworm has had and continues to have a devastating effect on crop production in
both parts of the world since first entering Africa in 2016 and then Asia two years later. According to
2018 estimates, Africa is losing over 17 million tons of corn annually due to this particular invasive
pest. Meanwhile, over US$880 million in annual losses are being realized by Southeast Asia farmers
and through related corn import costs alone.
Adding insult to injury, impact from climate change, including an increased prevalence of droughts and
floods in both regions, is wreaking havoc with farmers’ ability to grow food – and in turn, their
livelihood. As challenging as these weather events are, there’s strong evidence they’re only going to
worsen. A McKinsey report released just last month noted that Asia is particularly vulnerable and
suggested the region could experience labor shortages resulting in mind-boggling economic losses of
up to US$4.7 trillion annually.
Posing further threats to Africa and Asia food production are ongoing trade-restrictive developments
taking place beyond the borders and control of both regions entirely.
Particularly worrisome is a movement within the European Parliament promoting the idea that no other
country’s farmers should use pesticides that are restricted or banned in the European Union – and
using this idea to object to trade-facilitating Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) set by the UN’s World
Health Organization / Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO) Codex Alimentarius for
pesticides not available in Europe. This would effectively close off the European market to millions of
farmers in Africa and Asia, threaten their livelihood, and make an already challenging task for these
growers driving food security in the two continents that much tougher.
By objecting to these international standards, it threatens to take effective and regulated pesticides out

of the hands of African and Asian farmers. Pesticides, along with quality seeds and fertilizers, are
critically important agricultural inputs which these growers depend on to grow a variety of crops. In
addition to driving trade, the crops grown in the two regions help provide the critical supply of
affordable, nutritious food that is already in great peril. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), smallholder farmers produce up to 80% of the food consumed in sub-Saharan
Africa and Asia.
The reality is that pesticides and plant biotechnology have a role to play in enabling and empowering
farmers in Africa, Asia and around the world to grow more food and realize better lives. Biotech crops
are developed with improved traits such as increased yield, improved resistance to pests, and
enhanced nutrition, among others. Meanwhile, pesticides are helping farmers produce more food on
less land. Without pesticides, an estimated 40% of global rice and corn harvests could be lost every
year while losses for fruits and vegetables could be as high as 50-90%.
While these plant science technologies are crucially important, they’re only part of the shared solution
needed. In the midst of these challenging times and indeed a food security ‘tipping point’ for Africa and
Asia, it’s important to remember: only a collaborative effort among stakeholders across the food value
chain will turn the tide in addressing hunger, malnutrition, undernutrition, wasting and a host of other
unacceptable outcomes that are plaguing the populations of the two continents.
In that spirit, an encouraging step forward was realized earlier this month when the leads for the
UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and CropLife International, the global voice for the
crop protection and plant biotechnology industry, jointly signed a Letter of Intent to explore new
partnerships.
This will allow the two to consider how best to work together in promoting rural development and
transforming agri-food systems – and at a time when we desperately need more collaboration
among the private, public and civil society sectors, this sends a strong signal that it’s completely
possible.
For Africa and Asia, this World Food Day presents an opportunity for groups up and down the food
value chains of the two continents to recommit to engaging in impactful partnerships that help
strengthen food supply resiliency, and working together with regional governments to provide
sustainable and shared solutions. The stakes are simply too high to not act now.
The food security ‘tipping point’ for the two continents is at hand. While 2020 will be remembered for a
slew of reasons we’d like to forget, let’s work to ensure it’s also the year food and agriculture
stakeholders in Africa and Asia came together like never before in a collaborative spirit for a common
cause.

WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES TO GET KSH 5M INCUBATOR CASH FROM STANDARD CHARTERED AND STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY.

Nairobi, Kenya (Friday 16^th October, 2020) – The Search for Women led businesses is back! @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University in Partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Kenya is excited to Launch the Fourth Cohort of the Women in Tech 2020 program. The call for applicants is now open for women led small and medium businesses leveraging on technology and new business models to drive change and grow communities.

The online launch which took place today showcased how @iBizAfrica and Standard chartered bank have supported and guided over 40 female led startups in Kenya through training, mentorship, coaching and Funding over the last three years through the Women in Tech program.

The program theme for this year, “Accelerating the Digital Economy through Women Owned Businesses” reinforces the importance of scaling the gains of female focused entrepreneurial programs and expanding their mandate in bridging financing and industry gaps for early stage ventures. 

Key guest Standard Chartered Chief Operating Officer, Peter Gitau, said “Since the launch of the Women in Technology Program in 2017, over 1,100 entrepreneurs have applied to be a part of the program, 120 start-ups have been shortlisted with 30 taking part in the incubator program. 15 outstanding start-ups have benefitted from the seed funding of Kes 1 million each to grow their businesses. To date, over 75% of innovations in different cohorts have attracted additional funding from both development partners and equity investors ranging from USD 50,000 – USD 150,000, and their businesses have grown revenue and sales in double digits”. As a bank we are committed to supporting small business through provision of finance, especially during this pandemic, and most importantly with the necessary business management skills through our Financial Literacy programs, added Mr. Gitau.  

“Over the last three years we have seen a large number of women led businesses apply for the Women in tech program. Last year alone we had over 700 applicants showed interest in the program. This combined with applications from cohort 1 and cohort 2 shows the appetite and demand for such support framework for women owned businesses. These Women-led business have received support in the form of training, mentorship and coaching at Strathmore University through our supportive network with Standard Chartered Bank. This year with the Fourth Cohort we want to focus on scaling women owned businesses who are building technology apps and technology enabled solutions, ranging from but not limited to Internet of things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Augmented and Virtual reality, 3D and 4D Printing, Cloud Computing, Big Data, Blockchain and Biometrics and other IT areas”. Said Dr. Joseph Sevilla Director of @iBizAfrica- Strathmore University

Globally, studies show that sub-Saharan Africa boasts the world’s highest rates of women entrepreneurs, at 27%. But female-led tech startups still have some of the lowest numbers across the continent, despite technology firms led by women experiencing a 35% higher return on investment.

Ms Linda Kwamboka- Entrepreneur in residence @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University mentioned “The Women in Tech Incubator reinforces the importance of scaling the gains of female focused entrepreneurial programs in Kenya. There is an urgent need to bridge the financing and mentorship gaps for early stage ventures across the country. It is important for African enterprises to digitize and tap into enormous opportunities offered by technology adoption. Sectors like education, health, trade, food delivery, events and conferencing have experienced an unprecedented demand for technology. The special focus on women owned businesses in technology recognizes the enormous potential for leveraging emerging technologies and new business models that will drive the economic growth and development post COVID-19.”

Apart from the Kes 1 million seed funding each of the top five participants receive, the teams are taken through a 12week incubation mentorship and training through the Bank’s Employee Volunteering program. Through the incubation, all the entrepreneurs are offered expert training in the areas of idea conceptualization, strategy formulation and marketing which is key in moving the businesses from incubation to sustainable ventures.

The Women in Technology Incubator program is Africa’s leading women in tech incubator, that supports local tech businesses and calls for more diversity in the Information technology landscape by providing opportunities for women to develop entrepreneurial skills and leadership excellence. 

The launch of the Women in Tech Fourth Cohort provides an opportunity to reflect on the representation of women entrepreneurs and determine pathways to enhancing their participation in the ecosystem.

The program is an initiative of Standard Chartered in partnership with Strathmore University’s @iBizAfrica to provide startups with the right support to grow their businesses

KENYA CELEBRATES WORLD POST DAY

Nairobi, Kenya 8th October 2020

Acting Director General Mercy Wanjau makes remarks made by Director of Lincensing at Communications Authority of Kenya Matano Mwalimu Ndaro.