Silence is violence: Faith communities urged to strongly condemn fossil fuel extraction as GreenFaith launches Africa office

Nairobi, Kenya 30th January 2024

Africa has been called upon to speak in the strongest terms possible against fossil fuels and extractive industry because of the evident human rights violations, family displacements, cultural interference, and the impacts on the environment associated with the said industries.

Speaking during the launch of the GreenFaith-Africa office in Nairobi, Meryne Warah, the GreenFaith Global Director for Advocacy, drew the attention of the multi-faith gathering at the All African Council of Churches (AACC) premises in Nairobi to the destruction the fossil fuels industry had caused people in Africa.

“We have enough renewable natural capital that can be harnessed to provide energy in Africa while at the same time living harmoniously with biodiversity,” said Ms Warah, adding that the faith communities were best placed to speak truth to powers that make decisions allowing foreign companies to destroy Africa’s beauty, environment and biodiversity through the oil and extractive industry.

The meeting was attended by representatives of indigenous communities, women and youth from several parts of Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and the DRC. There were also faith leaders from the Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and other communities.

Several teams presented videos showing the effects of fossil fuels in their communities. Tanzania and Uganda shared videos of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) affected persons, many complaining about poor compensation for land taken and disrespect for their kin’s graves during displacement, among other ills. Nigeria had evidence of oil spills and gas flaring in Port Harcourt, in the Niger Delta, which has polluted rivers and the soil, killing the farming and fishing communities’ sources of livelihood, and increasing cases of respiratory and other diseases.

Reacting to the videos, Rev. Dr Gibson Lesmore, the Director of Programs at the AACC, said: “We, as human beings, have a moral duty to preserve the embodiment of God in humanity, and that is by protecting our habitats.”

He rebuked efforts to sustain fossil fuels proliferation by playing with the language, especially at the global climate talks. “They are now talking of phase-down when we need a phase-out. The oil exploration in Africa is aided by insiders. We know the insiders, but we are not telling them the truth. Let us be united to speak truth to power around issues of climate change because these are matters of life and death. Silence is violence,” he said.

He called for more attention to the solutions different African and indigenous communities offered. “Listen to African indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions, even in the face of development and technological advancement,” he said, adding that the global North’s efforts to dangle the carbon market when they had refused to honor the $100 billion climate fund pledge was pretentious. “Faith communities are our only hope. We must not politicize issues of climate change. Capitalism places its efforts on profits against human well-being. Matters of climate change are matters of life and death. No hypocrisy. No deceit. No lie,” he said.

GreenFaith Executive Director Rev. Fletcher Harper said: “Africa is on the frontline of the climate crisis. Global North corporations want to exploit the continent’s resources and addict Africa to fossil fuels. This is patently immoral. Our GreenFaith Africa team is campaigning for clean, safe, affordable, reliable energy for every African. We’re calling for millions of green jobs to lift people from poverty. We demand an immediate stop to new fossil fuel projects and loss and damage funds for those who have suffered permanent losses from climate change. Our faiths require nothing less.”

Hindu council of Kenya’s Sujarta Kotamraju urged participants to strengthen the link between spirituality and ecology. “Our differences in faiths must not enable destruction of mother earth, especially through fossil fuels extraction,” she said, adding that faith has a role to play in driving climate justice.

Elija Toirai, a representative of the indigenous community, said: “We must flow with nature in everything we do. The values we teach our children should encourage conservation. Indigenous people know climate change destroys their spaces. Certain cultural and ceremonial activities do not happen anymore, or their frequencies have reduced because climate change has messed up some of the sacred places where they used to happen”.

He said indigenous people bring historical and indigenous knowledge that helps deal with climate change, calling for more inclusion is solution finding. He thanked GreenFaith for strategically working with faith and indigenous communities as equal partners.

Ms Warah added: “When talking about Loss and Damage, it also means losing your identity. The indigenous communities have lost their identities. This is not something you can ever get back, even with the Loss and Damage fund”.

Sabina Chege, the Kenya Women of Faith Secretary, said women were disproportionately affected by climate change, and needed to be more economically empowered to offer solutions. “Women must be involved more in the fight for climate justice.”

Ezekiel Chibeze, the Executive Director of Strategic Youth Network for Development Executive Coordinator from Ghana, said youth have a role to play in climate education. “We are pushing advocacy and showing that young people have a solution to bring to the table. We are championing green ideas and jobs by turning organic waste into fuel for the stoves and also having young farmers in agroecology to deal with food security and enable the agriculture sector to employ more people. We have to do our job now. In the next 30 years, we will have a new crop of young people. We must nurture them now.”

Salim Bayani, a Muslim faith leader, said: “We were born with the responsibility of taking care of the environment. Nothing that is on this earth has not come through the Bible or the Quran, or other holy books”.

GreenFaith-Africa is now in 12 African countries. It brings together Christians, Muslims, those with traditional African beliefs, Hindus, and others for climate justice. It works with grassroots people of faith to stop new fossil fuel projects, and to call for universal access to clean energy and green jobs that can lift communities to a better future. Currently, GreenFaith is campaigning to stop the EACOP and has sustained momentum against any new oil and gas expansion or project.

Apptivate Africa and Dime Credit Collaborate to Enhance Employee Financial Wellness Through Salary Advance Program

Nairobi, Kenya 25th January 2024

Apptivate Africa, a leader in innovative workplace solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Dime Credit, a distinguished financial services provider. This partnership aims to introduce a revolutionary employee benefit program, empowering workers with convenient access to salary advances on behalf of their employers.

Following the escalating cost of living, and according to recent surveys, over 68% of employees report experiencing financial stress, impacting their overall well-being and productivity, hence there is a rising demand for employer-supported financial solutions, with over 80% of employees expressing interest in salary advance programs. 

The collaboration between Apptivate Africa and Dime Credit signifies a strategic alliance aimed at addressing the financial well-being of employees. This program will provide employees with a seamless process to access salary advances, helping bridge financial gaps and promote stability.

“We are delighted to join forces with Dime Credit to launch this transformative employee benefit program. These statistics underline the critical need for accessible financial solutions, and through this collaboration, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of employees,” said Neil Ribeiro, CEO, Apptivate Africa.

Apptivate Africa is committed to redefining the employee experience by offering cutting-edge workplace solutions. With a focus on enhancing financial well-being, Apptivate Africa consistently seeks impactful partnerships to bring valuable benefits to the workforce.

“Dime Credit is excited to partner with Apptivate Africa to address the growing demand for employee-focused financial solutions. These statistics underscore the urgency of providing accessible salary advances, contributing to a financially empowered workforce,” added Fernandes- Director, Dime.

Dime Credit is a trusted financial institution known for its dedication to providing accessible and flexible financial solutions. Aligned with Apptivate Africa’s vision for a financially resilient workforce, Dime Credit brings expertise and reliability to the partnership.

Key Features and Statistics of the Program:

Convenience: Over 90% of surveyed employees expressed a preference for convenient and digital solutions for accessing financial benefits. The program offers a user-friendly platform integrated into the Apptivate Africa ecosystem.

Swift Processing: The streamlined application process ensures quick approval and disbursement of funds, with 85% of advances processed within 24 hours.

Transparent Terms: Transparency is a cornerstone of the program, with 95% of surveyed employees expressing the importance of clear terms and conditions for financial benefits.

SUPERIOR HOMES KENYA AND ABSA BANK ENTER A FINANCING DEAL TO BOOST MORTGAGE LENDING

Nairobi, January 24, 2024 – Leading real estate developer Superior Homes (Kenya) PLC has signed a partnership with Absa Bank Kenya that will see home buyers enjoy 90 percent financing.

Through the partnership, Absa Bank Kenya will provide mortgages with terms of up to 25 years for existing and prospective investors seeking to buy housing units at Pazuri at Vipingo, a holiday homes development by Superior Homes located in Kilifi County. The deal seeks to also provide an avenue for cross-marketing between the two entities.

A 2022 Central Bank of Kenya’s Bank Supervision Annual Report cited high cost of property purchase and limited access to long-term financing as the main factors hindering Kenyans from accessing mortgage loans.

Superior Homes Kenya Head of Sales Clive Ndege said that the partnership marks a significant milestone in their quest to help more Kenyans achieve their home ownership dreams while at the same time addressing the current housing deficit in the country.

“As a company, we strive to see more Kenyans achieving their homeownership dream. With this partnership, with Absa Bank Kenya, a like-minded partner who shares the same dream, our clients are assured of hassle-free process of owning a home,” said Superior Homes Kenya Head of Sales, Clive Ndege.  

According to the Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA), the current housing deficit is estimated to stand at 2 million houses which continues to rise due to fundamental constraints on both the demand and supply side and is exacerbated by an urbanization rate of 4.2 percent, equivalent to 0.5 million new city dwellers every year.

Speaking during the event, Absa Bank Kenya Regional Manager and Head of Mortgage John Kaburu said that strategic partnerships were a key pillar for the Bank adding that this new partnership with Superior Homes marks the start of a journey towards unlocking and fulfilling more home ownership dreams for Kenyans.

“At Absa Bank, we value the aspect of building partnerships, collaborations, and working with the eco-systems and we are happy to start this journey with Superior Homes Kenya as our key partners in the real estate sector. Besides the mortgage agenda, there are more financial solutions that we will be offering, including financial literacy through enlightening homeowners on the need to secure their investments,” said Mr. Kaburu.

Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa Resolve Google Cloud Service Dispute, Look Forward to Strengthened Partnership

Nairobi, January 23, 2024…Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa have today announced a renewed and strengthened partnership, following a significant breakthrough in the resolution of the historical dispute.

                                                                           

The breakthrough comes on the back of a statutory demand in September 2023 on Twiga Foods by Incentro Africa over sums relating to Google Cloud Services provided by Incentro. Twiga Foods had disputed the amounts and filed an application in court to set aside the statutory demand.

The resolution, led by Twiga’s new management team followed negotiations between Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa following the management changes announced in Q4 2023. This follows the significant recent investment, led by Creadev and Juven, into Twiga in December 2023.

Welcoming the resolution over the Google Cloud Services, Dennis de Weerd, CEO of Incentro, said: “I would like to commend the exceptional work of Twiga’s Chief Financial Officer, Zuber Momoniat. His commitment and decisiveness have been instrumental in resolving the dispute and rekindling our partnership. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a stronger and more productive relationship between Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa.”

Looking forward to a bright future for both partners, Mr. de Weerd added: “We regret the difficulties that arose in 2023, which placed both Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa in a challenging position. However, we are pleased to announce that these issues have been resolved to our mutual satisfaction and are excited to recommit to our partnership. We look forward to continuing to collaborate in providing innovative and cost-effective cloud services to Twiga Foods.”

Appreciating this important breakthrough, Twiga’s CFO, Zuber Momoniat said: “In light of the settlement arrived at between Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa, and the renewed commitment from both parties, Incentro Africa has agreed to withdraw the statutory demand filed in September 2023. This step is a testament to our restored faith. Mr. Momoniat added that both Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa recognised the need to renegotiate the terms of the Google Cloud contract in light of the current global economic climate. As a result, he concluded, “both parties acknowledge that a renegotiation with Google Cloud is essential to align with the current business environment”.

Following the resolution of the dispute, both Twiga Foods and Incentro Africa are optimistic about their future collaboration through renewed partnership, not only as “a significant step towards resolving past challenges but also a strong foundation for future growth and success.”

Kenya Airways Celebrates 47 Years with discounts for customers

Kenya Airways is marking its 47th anniversary by offering customers 15 per cent discount on tickets to various destinations across its network.

Since its inaugural flight in February 1977, the airline has undergone a remarkable evolution, transcending humble beginnings to emerge as a prominent player in African aviation.

From its strategic hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya Airways has played a pivotal role in connecting the African continent to the global stage, fostering vital international links. Over the past year, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier, the airline has demonstrated resilience, proudly achieving the milestone of flying 4 million passengers. This notable accomplishment not only signifies a resurgence in business but also underscores Kenya Airways’ commitment to facilitating travel and fostering economic growth in the region.

“As we mark this 47th anniversary, we extend our deepest gratitude to our valued customers who have been an integral part of our journey. We are delighted to introduce exclusive offers to out valued customers for being a part of our success,” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka

Kenya Airways was recently ranked as Africa’s second most efficient airline in a global on-time performance review of airlines and airports.

The latest On-Time Performance Review report by aviation analytics company Cirium reveals that the airline attained an impressive 71.86 per cent on-time arrival rate out of 41,905 completed flights in 2023.

Regulator Named as the Local Issuer of Globally Recognised Renewable Energy Certificates

‘The certificate makes local renewable energy power generators attractive to investors and customers’.

Nairobi: 23 January 2024 [Press release] – Kenya’s renewable energy sector has been positioned for international recognition and improved investments following a move by the International Tracking Standard Foundation to name the Energy and Regulatory Authority as the local issuer of the International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC(E).

Participation in the I-REC system differentiates Kenya in the energy market, which is key to attracting environmentally conscious investors looking to support sustainable energy initiatives in the country, thereby stimulating job creation and driving economic development in the sustainable energy sector.

Mr Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, the Director General, EPRA welcomed the development saying this was in line with EPRA’s mandate of promoting the adoption of renewable and sustainable energy to enhance its contribution to Kenya’s energy mix. Local application of I-RECs, he said, will help Kenya to meet international commitments and agreements related to the adoption of clean energy.

“Kenya is on the cusp of achieving 100% renewable energy electricity generation which currently stands at 84.65 percent contribution to the energy mix. We have remained steadfast in harnessing energy from renewable energy sources. Say, geothermal energy production surged by 21.84 percent,, and interconnected solar PV systems saw a substantial 41.84 percent increase while wind energy contributed 7.28 percent. The trajectory towards renewable energy is expected to persist as more power flows into the grid from geothermal sources,” he said.

EPRA will be tasked with inspecting energy generation facilities across Kenya to verify that the generation of electricity is from renewable sources. Until the process is finalised and EPRA is conferred as an issuer, the Green Certificate Company (GCC) is filling in the role, to allow for roles’ transfer to the EPRA when ready.

East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) and GIZ EAC unite to empower women entrepreneurs in EAC and AfCFTA Integration – Nairobi, Kenya – 24th- 25th January, 2024

The East Africa Women in Business Platform EAWiBP, in strategic partnership with GIZ EAC under the Support to East African Integration programme (SEAMPEC II) is excited to announce a transformative two-day National Workshop. The workshop, themed “Improving women SMEs in the EAC and AfCFTA integration processes”, is scheduled to take place at Four Points by Sheraton, Hurlingham – Nairobi, Kenya, from 24^th to 25^th January, 2024.

This initiative recognizes the vital role women play in the economic, social, and political development of the East African Community and seeks to bridge the gender gap in regional trade.

The primary goal of the workshop is to cultivate awareness among women SMEs on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement’s Protocol on Trade in Goods. The workshop aims to dissect its application, challenges, case studies on effective exporting under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the East African Community (EAC) region.

The workshop will comprise of EAWiBP members and selected non-members, ie women associations, women entrepreneurs at the national level engaged in the manufacture/production of goods including cross border traders and those interested to trade under the AfCFTA. Women business persons from the value chains of pharmaceuticals, leather, fruits and vegetables.

Ensuring an immersive experience, the two-day event will feature presentations from National Facilitators and a Regional Master Trainer/Consultant. It will include plenary discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and evaluation sessions through comprehensive questionnaires.

For media inquiries or additional information, Please contact us through the following details: Email: communication@eawibp.org

For the latest updates on the East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP), please visit our website at www.eawibp.org

Sustainable business strategies for Small and Medium Scale in tough times

By Julius Ouma

Small and medium enterprises, or simply SMEs, are an important pillar of Kenya’s economy, creating millions of jobs and driving innovation in key sectors of the economy. Apart from propelling economic growth and development, SMEs also underpin social transformation of communities through livelihood opportunities and poverty reduction.  

However, the current economic landscape dominated by high interest rates, fuel price hikes, rising taxation, decline in disposable incomes and reduced consumer spending, is threatening the long-term viability and survival of many small businesses. Hence the need for sustainable growth strategies, to enhance the resilience of small enterprises to such disruptive shocks, while boosting their ability to thrive into the future.

This entails nurturing ‘future-ready SMEs’ that exhibit a strong capacity to overcome prevailing macro-economic challenges while generating long-term financial, economic and social value. The term ‘future-ready’ is said to have been coined by researchers at Aston University in the UK to refer to “a set of capabilities and orientations that enable companies to thrive in the future.”

They characterize future-ready businesses as having three key traits: long-term growth, societal impact and adaptive capacity. So, how can SMEs in Kenya navigate the tough times and become future ready?

First, they need to invest in income and revenue streams that enable them to achieve sustained growth. This includes product diversification and geographical expansion to capture a wider market. One of the factors hindering SME growth is focusing only on one product or market. This is of course not a walk in the park in the prevailing context of deteriorating consumer spending. However, with a little bit of innovation small enterprises can venture into uncharted territory and offer unique value propositions to customers.

Take the case of businesses that thrived during the Covid outbreak four years ago by coming up with imaginative ways of sustaining clientele during the lockdown by embracing home delivery. As they say, never waste a crisis but use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Second, SMEs must re-evaluate their true purpose in society. Successful businesses are those that address and solve a real problem facing human society. In the process, they build a loyal base of customers who keep buying their products and services. Every SME must define what it does best and focus on that “sweet spot” in order to thrive.

Third, SMEs need to come up with clear strategies to enable them to adapt to the changing business environment. One such strategy is innovation. From the example above of businesses that turned the pandemic into a massive business opportunity, innovation represents one of the most effective methods of overcoming adversity.

In addition to adapting to dynamic market realities, SMEs need to build resilience to secure business continuity. This entails building a reservoir to act as a buffer for tough times. This way, the business is still able to meet its obligations to customers, creditors, suppliers and regulators thus minimizing the risk of severe liquidity challenges.

Another strategy through which SMEs can enhance long-term viability is through growing their business networks. Joining industry bodies like private sector associations and trade chambers allows them to tap into an expansive business ecosystem to grow their market.

However, in pursuing these goals, SMEs also need to manage costs in an efficient manner. Nowadays, technology has helped streamline business processes in unprecedented ways thus saving time and money and providing much-needed customer convenience.

And while it is true that the majority of SME lack access to financing, working with a financial partner who understands their needs is crucial. Such a financial partner is able to provide working capital solutions especially when the business is facing liquidity constraints as is the case with many small and medium-sized firms in Kenya at the moment.  

Innovative trade finance solutions also go a long way in boosting the ability of a business to tap into new markets.

Mr. Ouma is Acting CEO, Faulu Microfinance Bank Limited . His email is Marketing@faulukenya.com

AfriCatalyst calls for establishment of an African Methane Abatement Bond framework to finance methane action

Dakar, 19^th January – AfriCatalyst, a leading Dakar-based global development advisory group, has urged African leaders to develop a framework for issuing African Methane Abatement Bonds (AMAB). This urgent appeal accompanied the launch of AfriCatalyst’s groundbreaking report that sheds lights on the alarming surge in methane emissions across the continent and emphasizes the need for immediate global action to mobilize the resources needed to address this environmental crisis.

The report reveals that methane emissions in Africa have risen at an annual rate of 2 percent from 1990 to 2022, contributing a staggering 14 percent to the total global methane emissions. Notably, 19 African countries are responsible for 80 percent of the continent’s methane emissions, with Nigeria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Egypt contributing half of the total. These emissions predominantly emanate from the agricultural sector (51%), energy production (35%), and waste management (14%).

While almost all African nations have outlined their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the lack of adequate financing impedes achievement of these goals. Only 2 percent of global climate financing was allocated towards methane abatement last year, and sub-Saharan Africa received a mere 6 percent of global methane financing.

In the report, AfriCatalyst has identified several avenues for boosting domestic and external financing for methane action in Africa. Its launch follows a high-level panel session held by AfriCatalyst in November, 2023, under the theme “Financing Methane Action in Africa.”

“Financing methane action faces a number of challenges. The first relates to the limited awareness on methane abatement in Africa and how to finance methane abatement efforts across the continent. There is strong evidence that if we do have ambitious methane abatement objectives in Africa, certainly we will be able to make the continent meet its commitments under the Paris Accord,” remarked Daouda Sembene, AfriCatalyst’s CEO, and co-author of the report.

According to AfriCatalyst, a collaborative effort by the 19 top African methane emitters could unlock additional funding by leveraging available financing from various partners, including European Union (EU) grants which could total nearly 6.4 billion Euros under the Neighborhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI). Such financial support could be complemented by technical assistance from reputable institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

Recognizing that additional financing alone will not suffice, AfriCatalyst is also calling for innovative solutions aligned with the continent’s realities and specific circumstances. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the required spending needs for low-income and middle-income countries amounts to $6.8 billion, while the continent needs $15-20 billion to reduce energy-related methane emissions by 75% by 2030. Innovative strategies, including increased domestic revenue mobilization, leveraging philanthropic funds, and recycling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) through multilateral development banks like the African Development Bank (AfDB), could fill the gap.

“Africa is the least risky region to do investment – the default rate for financed projects is only 5.5%, the lowest in the world,” Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director for the Africa Group II, at the World Bank Group, observed during the webinar in November. “We need to change the narrative of risk by harnessing digital technologies, exploring concessional funding, and establishing a one-stop shop for all investing instruments.”

Dr. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Division Manager, Climate and Green Growth Development at African Development Bank Group, further added, “Last year (2022), the African Development Bank allocated 45% of its budget financing to climate action, and we are committed to meeting the Paris Agreement targets by 2025 through applying greenhouse gas accounting tools to estimate methane emissions reduction from each of our projects.”

In its report, AfriCatalyst envisions the issuance of African Methane Abatement Bonds (AMAB) as a pivotal step towards mobilizing innovative financing to support the formulation and implementation of methane abatement measures outlined in countries’ national plans.

The AMAB framework would also create a private investment vehicle to support African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in developing practices that contribute to methane emission reduction.

CIC INSURANCE PLEDGES TO SUPPORT NEEDY

Nairobi, Kenya 19th, 2024

CIC Insurance Group has announced its commitment to continue supporting needy and underprivileged students with a cooperative background to pursue their career dreams through access to quality education. The insurance company has committed Kshs. 5 million shillings to help 88 children pursue secondary education this year.

Speaking at a cheque handover event at Alliance High School, the Managing Director, CIC Life Assurance Ltd, Mr Meshack Miyogo reiterated that the funding enables successful applicants to access a four-year scholarship.

“Through this scholarship program, we empower the needy in society through our financial support. This annual initiative is our contribution towards helping needy students access quality education for their prosperity and that of the society.

Through its regional representation in various parts of the country, CIC Foundation collaborates with key stakeholders in identifying needy students with a cooperative background to be enrolled in the scholarship program. Additionally, the foundation supports the students throughout the four years in high school.

Working with the Group’s Regional Managers, CIC Foundation ensures the students are mentored in terms of professional and leadership skills whereby the students are prepared to pursue their chosen careers to add value to the society. So far, over 90% of the beneficiaries have transitioned to universities and tertiary institutions.

Since its inception in 2016, the foundation has supported a total of 155 beneficiaries with a further 22 new entrants in 2024. So far, CIC Group Plc has spent over Kshs. 40 million into the program.