Author: staff reporter

NON STATE ACTORS AND PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARIAN

BY NJOKI KARANJA

As African leaders prepare to gather for the upcoming Africa Climate Summit (ACS), we, a collective of non-state actors bringing together diverse groups across sectors, express deep concern and disappointment over the preparation and agenda of the Summit. Organisational lapses, apparent civil society exclusion, and Western interest dominance are also set to mar the Summit.

The hallmark of the organisational confusion and inertia manifests in the accreditation process where exhausted delegates are tossed from the  accreditation venue to the Ministry of Environment for clearance process for what is said to be approval. Beyond the ACS, this confusion will direct impact Africa participation in another critical UNFCCC process, the Africa Climate Week as both events are under one accreditaion umbrella.

Summit organisers have deliberately failed to ensure adequate participation and consultation of non-state actors, especially those from the most vulnerable and marginalised communities, in the planning and implementation of the Summit. The African parliamentarians are more conspicuously missing in the consultation process, yet their representation, legislation and oversight role is apparent in processes such as the ACS.
We are deeply concerned that the Summit agenda remains too inclined to promote market-based solutions and Transnational Corporations’ involvement while neglecting the people’s and the planet’s needs and rights.

We believe that, though we have few hours to the kick-off of the Summit, we still think that President Ruto and the African Union have an opportunity to rethink the agenda to allow more space for dialogue and action on climate justice, adaptation, finance, loss and damage, and human rights – issues we strongly believe fundamentally crucial for Africa’s wellbeing, but which have tactfully been relegated to the periphery.
We do not wish this Summit to be a missed opportunity to address Africa’s climate crisis and amplify African people’s voices and solutions.

African citizens have waited too long to have such a gathering, and thus, once again, we urge the organisers to ensure that the Summit is genuinely inclusive, transparent and accountable.
While noting the front line role non-state actors play in climate response, we reiterate that no single stakeholder – governmental or non-governmental – can defeat the threats posed by the climate crisis. We call upon the African governments and leaders to listen to and engage with non-state actors as equal partners.

Our demands are informed by the alarming devastation of climate change on the continent and the failure of the developed countries responsible for this devastation to provide adequate support to the most vulnerable countries and communities.
They also reflect the Africa Climate Summit Non-State Actors Steering Committee’s (ACS-NSA) shared vision and emphasise the critical need to address the impact of the climate crisis on the continent and its inhabitants.
We have issued a document outlining minimum expectations from the summit. Over 2,294 groups and individuals across the continent have signed the redlines document.

Therefore, Africa Climate Summit presents a unique opportunity for the continent to raise the urgency of addressing the climate emergency and protecting the rights and livelihoods of its citizens.
Moreover, it is an opportunity to build momentum and solidarity for the African agenda at COP28 and beyond by highlighting African countries’ common interests and aspirations in achieving a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive development.ACS-NSA is a pan-African platform advocating for a pro-African agenda in all critical spaces at the summit and beyond.

The ACS-NSA has a Secretariat supported by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and is organised into clusters that draw members from regional CSOs, Indigenous People, Faith Actors, Trade Unions, the African Private Sector, Farmer Organizations, Women and Gender Constituencies, Youth Movements Academia and Research Institutions, Foundations and Finance Institutions.
ACS-NSA has been advocating for a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that respects the rights and dignity of all people. Despite their engagements with the Kenyan government, the African Union Commission, and the ClimDev-Africa Initiative, our concern remains that the summit may fall short of our aspirations. Therefore, ACS-NSA has formulated a set of demands or redlines that they expect African leaders to uphold and champion at the summit.

The first demand is for African leaders to acknowledge the urgent need to address the climate emergency and protect the rights and livelihoods of its citizens. The redlines document also calls for a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that respects the rights and dignity of all people.
Ahead of the summit, the group has called on African leaders to stand by the principles of climate justice, human rights, gender equality, and intergenerational equity in all climate policies and actions.
In addition, they demand that developed countries fulfil their historical responsibility and provide adequate and predictable finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to support adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage in Africa.

The group also rejects false solutions and narratives undermining African communities’ rights, interests, and sovereignty, such as carbon markets, geoengineering, nuclear energy, and shared responsibility principles. They further reject promoting carbon markets as they do not serve the climate justice agenda for Africa. The redlines also call for a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that respects the rights and dignity of all people. The group demands that African leaders commit to a just and fair transition to renewable energy, prioritising energy access for the poor and marginalised and guaranteeing community ownership and participation.

In conclusion, the group emphasises the need for African leaders to put the African people above all personal and collective political and economic interests.
As a collective, the Africa Climate Summit Non-State Actors hopes that the African leaders will champion and uphold these demands at the upcoming Africa Climate Summit and beyond.

Reporting by JAMES MUTUA in Nairobi

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and the African Environment Parliamentarians conducted a productive parliamentary dialogue preceding the 11th conference on climate change and development in Africa, held alongside the Africa Climate Summit.

With the theme “Implementing Pan-African Parliament’s Resolutions and Recommendations on Climate Policy and Equity in Africa,” the dialogue aimed at uniting African Parliament members from the environment committee, civil society representatives, researchers, environmental think tanks, and journalists covering environmental issues.

Coming a week before the Africa Climate Summit, the dialogue sought to rally and synchronize the endeavors of African legislatures and parliamentarians around the climate justice and equity resolutions and recommendations. These efforts are intended to exert influence on the global climate agenda, fostering a sustainable future for Africa and the world.

In his opening statement, PACJA’s Executive Director, Mr. Mithika Mwenda, highlighted the pivotal role of parliamentarians in shaping climate change policies, both regionally and internationally. Emphasizing the need for low-carbon development pathways, he stressed the importance of bolstering energy, food, water, and health security across the continent while conserving its natural resources and biodiversity.

Mwenda underscored the significance of empowering local communities, particularly women and youth, to actively participate in decision-making and the execution of climate solutions at all levels.

“We extend our appreciation to the Pan-African Parliament for its leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing climate justice and equity in Africa. Your resolutions and recommendations on critical climate-related matters such as renewable energy, climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, and human rights are commendable,” Mwenda remarked.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Cameroonian Senate Mr. Robert Nkili emphasized that Africa must not rely solely on developed nations to provide solutions. He called on Africa’s leaders to avoid falling into the fossil fuel trap and lead the continent towards a clean, renewable, affordable and sustainable energy future.

“We need policies that incentivise investments in the continent’s exceptionally high potential for decentralised renewable energy”, concluded Nkili.

According to the World Bank, an estimated 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have limited to no access to electricity, and renewable energy has the potential to deliver distributed energy access to all. Instead of pushing for the continued extraction of dead-end fossil fuels, Africa can lead the world in a just transition to 100% renewable, secure and affordable energy, which empowers communities and workers. Renewable energy technology has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, becoming the cheapest form of energy, also generating a boom in employment.

AGRA, until recently known as The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa — will hold its annual Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 5-8 September. Branded as ‘the Africa Food Systems Summit’, the event brings together agribusiness leaders, experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors of the food industry. The forum claims to be “a unique platform for CEOs to build meaningful connections and partnerships within the food and agriculture sector.”

At a virtual press conference on 30 August, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and its collaborators, representing hundreds of small-scale food producer groups across Africa, rejected the validity of the AGRA Forum. They highlighted the silenced narratives of those at the heart of Africa’s agriculture: its farmers.

“Where are the farmers? They are clearly excluded in the coming 2023 AGRF meeting in Tanzania, a country with more than 70 per cent of its population engaged in agriculture,” said farmer leader Juma Shabani.

Gabriel Manyangadze of the multi-faith environmental network Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) expressed the faith community’s concerns: “The green revolution approach of AGRA through the Gates Foundation does not alleviate hunger and poverty in Africa. It supports the dominance of corporations over African food production and farmers.”

“We are called to be custodians for all creation,” he continued. “Yet, AGRA’s approach grows corporate profits at the expense of all living beings. The Gates Foundation must prioritise solutions like agroecology that protect biodiversity and the needs of African farmers.”

“AGRA is a total failure for many reasons,” added Mali’s Mamadou Goïta of the Institute for Research and Promotion of Alternatives in Development. “Farmer groups have never accepted these technological fixes. People have been working on their own food systems, to push back on what AGRA was planting.”

African small-scale food producers challenge AGRA’s legitimacy as an African-led organisation and its interventions in African food systems on the following grounds:

Origin and Accountability: AGRA, registered in the USA and principally funded from outside Africa, remains unaccountable to African constituencies or governments. AGRA has responded to critics with cosmetic changes, removing the words “green revolution” from its name rather than rethinking the wisdom of its failing policies.

Corporate Dominance: AGRA’s agenda of “market-led technology adoption” leans heavily towards the industrialisation of African food systems. With over $500 million in grants, AGRA incentivises the adoption of Green Revolution technologies predominantly produced by global corporations.

Unfulfilled Promises: Despite its ambitious claims, AGRA failed in its commitment to significantly increase agricultural yields, incomes, and food security for small-scale producers. Independent assessments and even a 2022 donor-commissioned evaluation demonstrate that AGRA’s initiatives led to increasing undernourishment, environmental consequences, and declining crop diversity.

Inappropriate Influence over Policy: AGRA’s direct intervention and influence over African government policies, particularly in seeds and biosafety, have tilted the scales in favour of commercial seed providers and Green Revolution technologies. This level of interference has squeezed out alternative voices and approaches like agroecology.

“A huge chunk of our hard-earned GDP in Kenya goes to subsidising synthetic fertiliser, destroying soil fertility and our environment”, said Anne Maina of Kenya’s Biodiversity and Biosafety Association (BIBA Kenya).

In response to the AGRF Summit’s message on centring women, Anne Maina said, “Women in Kenya have always cared for our food cultures and the health of communities. But AGRA’s work does not honour their role as leaders. It does not respect their agency. It puts the real power into the hands of corporations.”

AFSA asserts that investment in Africa’s agriculture must be democratic, grassroots-oriented, and led by the true stakeholders of agriculture – the farmers. Concentrated power and profit in the hands of a few corporations is not the way forward for a sustainable and inclusive African agricultural future.

From left. Mr. Fredrick Riaga, CEO, Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, Mr. Geoffrey Odundo, CEO of NSE, Dr. Grace Kamau, CEO of ICPAK, Ms Sarah Baraka representing CEO of RBA and Mr. Wyckliffe Shamiah, CEO of CMA

BY NJOKI KARANJA

The public and private sectors in the country have been urged by promoters of the Financial Reporting (FiRe) Award to embrace disclosure of non-financial information as it plays a key role in business sustainability. The disclosure of non-financial information is essential for building trust amongst the public by responding to their expectations and needs and by communicating with external stakeholders, including investors, on the need for sound decision making.

The coveted FiRe Award is organized by five promoters namely Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA). This year’s FiRe Award theme is “utilizing technology and innovation to enhance transparency of sustainability, governance and financial information.” The theme resonates with the critical role that technology plays in ensuring transparency of non-financial information disclosures, which give a wholesome view of organizational performance and its relevance in decision-making.

Speaking during the launch of the 22nd Edition of the FiRe Award, the Chairman of the FiRe Award Executive Committee, who is also the NSE CEO, Mr. Geoffrey Odundo, said that FiRe Award promotes financial reporting excellence, fosters sound corporate governance practices, and enhances corporate investment and environmental reporting in public and private sectors. The CEO of Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB), Mr. Fredrick Riaga, said that as the demand for non-financial information disclosure increases, data collection and metrics development become a challenge.

Therefore,to surmount this, public sector entities should leverage on technology to enhance transparency and sustainability in financial reporting. “Even as PSASB and the National Treasury are making final touches on modalities of transitioning the country from cash to accrual accounting, public sector entities should strike a balance in reporting financial and non-financial information,” Mr. Riaga said.

ICPAK Chief Executive Officer, CPA Dr. Grace Kamau, added that the FiRe Award has recognized and awarded the best reporting entities in East Africa. The Award aims to promote integrated reporting by enhancing accountability, transparency, and integrity in compliance with appropriate financial reporting framework and other disclosures on governance, social and environmental reporting by private, public and other entities domiciled in East Africa.”   “The disclosure of non-financial reporting will address the growing expectation from stakeholders on transparency and accountability. The changing market dynamics calls for disclosure on long term value creation and future trends.

In conclusion, the disclosure of non-financial information will restore trust in business, reinforce the stability and predictability of business performance,” RBA Chief Executive, Mr. Charles Machira observed.The CMA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wyckliffe Shamiah, noted that ‘’the adoption of a wholistic approach to financial reporting to include disclosure of non-financial information is critical due to the growing concerns around governance practices, business sustainability and the contribution of corporate activity to climate change.”Mr. Shamiah also welcomed the publication of the final standards for Sustainability-Related Financial Information (IFRS S1) and Climate-Related (IFRS S2) Disclosures by the International Sustainability Standards Board.

By Meresia Aloo

Nairobi, Kenya, 25th August 2023: The Kenya National Disability Caucus (KNDC), comprised of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), has welcomed the report of the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reform. Released in June 2023, the report takes strides towards fostering Inclusive Education for learners with disabilities, a pivotal step towards ensuring equitable participation in societal development.

Education stands as the cornerstone for enabling all learners, regardless of disabilities, to contribute significantly to the broader development agenda of society. Barriers that have historically hindered the inclusion of learners with disabilities in educational spaces have been identified and addressed in the recently released report.

The report has gained appreciation from the KNDC for its recognition of critical components that pave the way for Inclusive Education. The inclusion of legal and policy frameworks designed to enhance Inclusive Education, such as the Learners and Trainees with Disabilities 2018 and the Children Act 2022, showcases the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible educational environment.

As the implementation process of the Presidential Working Party’s report commences, the KNDC emphasizes the importance of several considerations. First and foremost, the meaningful and effective engagement of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the implementation process is crucial. This ensures that the voices and perspectives of those directly affected by the policies are at the forefront of decision-making.

Furthermore, the KNDC advocates for the mainstreaming of disability issues, particularly the aspects related to Inclusive Education, across all thematic areas covered in the report. This holistic approach ensures that disability-related concerns are woven into the fabric of various policy areas, creating a more integrated and comprehensive strategy for societal progress.

Finally, the KNDC calls for sufficient resources to be allocated to the components of Inclusive Education as outlined in the report. Proper funding is essential for the successful implementation of the education sector policy on Trainees and Learners with Disabilities, as well as the Children Act 2022. Adequate resourcing guarantees that these policies translate into tangible improvements in the educational experiences and opportunities for learners with disabilities.

With the report’s release marking a significant step forward, the KNDC stands ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the ideals of Inclusive Education are upheld and manifested in the educational landscape. As Kenya takes strides towards an inclusive and equitable society, the partnership between governmental bodies and disability-focused organizations holds the promise of transformative change for learners with disabilities

Heifer International, a leading global nonprofit working to end hunger and poverty in low- and middle-income countries, is heading to this year’s AGRF Africa Food Systems Forum in Tanzania to engage agriculture sector stakeholders on how increased innovative financing and support for youth-led transformative solutions can improve African food systems. 

The AGRF 2023, taking place September 4-8 in Dar es Salaam, is Africa’s leading venue for agriculture stakeholders to come together and agree on practical actions to transform food systems and end hunger. This year’s summit will convene more than 3000 attendees from over 70 countries. More than 350 experts and policymakers will present ways that Africa can build back better food systems and strengthen the continent’s food sovereignty – with youth and women at the centre.

Heifer International has been working with farmers and communities in Africa for nearly 50 years to help them build resilient food systems that can withstand shocks and stresses. Heifer has also ramped up innovative investments in young Africans working on transformative solutions and products within the agriculture ecosystem that have led to improved livelihoods, increased climate-smart and sustainable practices, job creation and improved food productivity and storage infrastructure.

“We believe that the gathering of vital stakeholders for Africa’s agricultural development at the AGRF 2023 is a critical opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in leveraging innovative funding and strategic partnerships to build more resilient and sustainable food systems,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President, Africa Programs, Heifer International.

Ifedi added: “The summit also presents an exciting opportunity for us to show the critical role that young innovators and technology are playing in helping Africa’s smallholder farmers increase their productivity and incomes, catalysing improvements across the agricultural value chain and improving food systems.”

Heifer International will host a side event on Sept. 4 that will bring together youth innovators, policymakers, experts in finance and technology, and other stakeholders to discuss leveraging innovative capital for youth in agriculture. A second Heifer-hosted event will be the Pitch AgriHack/AYuTe Showcase on Sept. 6, promoting ICT innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture by identifying and amplifying efforts of young innovators using technology to reimagine farming and food production across the continent.

These events are aligned with the summit’s theme of Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems Transformation,” focusing on building back better food systems and food sovereignty with youth and women at the center.

“Young Africans are not only the future of the continent’s agricultural transformation but are leading present developmental efforts,” said Ifedi. “By leveraging innovative capital, young innovators are empowered to see agriculture as a viable career path and sector to scale tech products that build systems and markets. This leads to solutions that enable more productive market systems that transform our food systems, such as our AYuTe Africa Challenge program that focuses on creating opportunities for young African innovators to transform the agricultural landscape.”

Heifer’s AYuTe Africa Challenge is one of the most ambitious agriculture competitions on the continent, combining the power of African youth with the many possibilities of emerging technologies to support smallholder farmers across Africa to grow their businesses and incomes – a transformative force called AYuTe..

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Kello Harsama

Unga Group Ltd, a pioneering brand in the nutrition industry, marked a significant milestone as it unveiled a new entry into the pasta category. The Commercial Director of Unga Ltd, in a recent press conference, highlighted the company’s journey since its inception in Kenya back in 2014. The brand’s commitment to addressing nutritional needs has positioned it as a key player in the health-conscious landscape post-pandemic.

The Commercial Director noted that the decision to venture into the pasta category aligns with the company’s ongoing repositioning efforts within the food segment. This strategic move not only reflects consumer needs but also emphasizes Inga Ltd’s dedication to innovation and relevance in a rapidly evolving market.

Mr. Joseph Choge, the Managing Director of Unga Ltd, expressed his excitement at the “rebirth” of the brand, describing it as a transition from heritage to an innovative food company. He stressed that the decision to expand the product line was driven by consumer demand and would ensure the highest quality standards. He urged distributors to stock up on Unga products and emphasized the importance of catering to consumer needs in the new direction.

Willy Kimani, CEO of Naivasha Supermarket, applauded the move by Unga Group Ltd and pledged support for the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative. This alignment with local business resonates well with Inga Group’s growth trajectory.

Isabella Ochola, speaking at the launch event, emphasized the pivotal nature of the product launch, noting that it marked a crucial turning point. She called on the government to allocate white maize for human consumption and shift yellow maize towards animal feeds, potentially lowering white maize prices. Isabella Ochola also expressed Unga Group’s readiness to collaborate with the government to bridge existing gaps.

The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Kello Harsama, praised the developmental strides of Unga Group Ltd and its contribution to meeting industrial demands. He lauded the brand’s efforts to align with government goals and facilitate connections with local retailers.

During the event, the Permanent Secretary shared compelling statistics, urging farmers to invest in edible oils. He revealed that the government is set to distribute seedlings across the country, opening the door for farmers to access significant benefits. Furthermore, he highlighted that Kenyans have the potential to produce up to 700 tonnes of edible oils, underscoring the opportunity for local growth and self-sufficiency. He also pointed out the disconcerting gap between wheat production and consumption, urging a collective effort to address this issue.

Unga Group Ltd’s foray into the pasta category echoes its commitment to fostering health-conscious choices and innovation, propelling the brand into a new era of culinary convenience.

BY NJOKI KARANJA

Hummel, an International Sport and Leisure brand opened its first Kenyan flagship store in Nairobi on the ground floor of the Westgate Mall.

Hummel has been brought to Kenya by WAMA International Group, which has more than 30+ stores in different regions with a massive expansion plan in East Africa. So far Hummel is present in three East African countries; Rwanda, Uganda and now Kenya.

According to WAMA International Group, Kenya has a friendly business environment that is ideal for this venture. Secondly, Nairobi is the hub of East Africa therefore an attractive location for global brands.

As one of the oldest sportswear brands in the world, Hummel is an internationally renowned manufacturer of sports & lifestyle apparel & footwear, luxury lounging apparel in its fashion sub-brand Hummel HIVE.

Hummel’s brand story is built behind character which is reflected in all Hummel’s products with each product expressing its own story with the same going for every team and individual player sponsored by the brand. The store plans to work with several local sports clubs in Kenya.

In conclusion, Hummel has honoured the camaraderie, celebrated the wins, and applauded the ability to play, share and enjoy sports and lifestyle throughout life and this is the brand heritage they look forward to sharing in Kenya.

BY NJOKI KARANJA.

Hundreds of African non-state actors represented by The Africa Climate Summit – Non-State Actors Steering Committee placed heightened demands and redlines as the continent prepares for the special
Africa Climate Summit to convene in Nairobi Kenya, in September. The summit takes place at a time the developed world presents no signs to address the adverse climate impacts caused by climate change
which are the main contributors.

The summit takes place while mild signs show non-significant progress of inclusive solutions to the climate crisis and consider Africa as the last or less important solutions provider at the same table of global climate crisis solutions.
Non-state actors take note that underestimating the role of the continent and suppressing her voice and
aspirations make the move stunt and lead to the human rights puzzle towards the betterment of Africans and the next generations.

“With all these foggy moves by mighty global spheresthat have not yielded a promising solution for Africa, we demand that all debates and decisions at the African Climate Summit respect and fulfill the human rights of all people, especially, those left vulnerable and marginalized by the effects of Climate Change such as indigenous people, women, children persons with disabilities and poor communities, said Dr. Mithika, the Executive Director of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance.

The previous sessions and processes were characterized by externally made thoughts and solutions for Africa and Africans while the continent deems to be a continent of potential and solutions. Non State Actors explored the slow or lack of African commitment to find solutions and firm the position and called Africa’sleaders to shift goals poststoward the contextually Africanized perspectives and aspirations.

Therefore,they requested to focus on major issues during the summit as brought on board by Waituru Mwangi
representing VSO/Kenya.
“Africa is most hit by Climate Change. Women, children, and farmers are affected and you know they have a special relationship with the environment. As we remain with a few days to ACS we need the government and AU to open the space for non-state actors. We want to see processes where all countries can
participate for not to waste money and time. In this summit, we need to focus on Climate Justice, children, women, and Farmers instead of talking about corporates. If we do not focus on these we lose it”, urged Mwangi.

However, process of the Africa Climate Summit has been criticized by some clusters who say that they should have been involved so that their views are incorporated into discussions during the summit.

“The indigenous community has been sidelined in the process of the African Climate Summit yet we are the most affected, especially indigenous women, indigenous children. We shouldn’t be left out because we know our issues better than any other cluster and can articulate them well when we are involved. We demand the Government of Kenya to include us” Eunice…./MPIDO, representing MPIDO a Kenya-based indigenous organization before urging African leaders to cast-off anti-African proposals that increase climate risks for Africa and transfer undue burdens of addressing the climate crisis to African countries
and people already suffering the adverse impacts of the debts, global inequality in the distribution of wealth, and other problems.

The summit will discuss driving green growth & climate finance solutions for Africa and the world. However, the finance question is still fuzzy as no tensible direction taken. Dr. Lesmore Ezekiel, the
Director of Programmes at the Africa Conference of Churches questioned why discussions have been diverted to the Carbon Market as an urgent matter and tasked African leaders to readdress the issue in their discussions during the summit and beyond.

“When we talk about Climate Change we mean that it is a matter of life and death. When it comes to us as a religious and Faith-based organization, and seeing these unclear processes we ask ourselves why we are not talking about Loss and Damage. Why aren’t we talking about the Adaptation fund? Instead, we advance conversations in Carbon Market! We must reject this and African leaders must take this as a matter of importance,” tasked Dr. Lesmore.

In conclusion,the Republic of Kenya is the host of the summit from 3-6 September 2023. The president of the Republic of Kenya is the chair of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change Committee (CAHOSCC) which was established in 2009 during the 13th ordinary sessions of the African Union Assembly.

In collaboration with the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) and the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), CAHOSCC works to advance the Africa Common Position on
Climate Change at global fora and negotiations on climate change.

Afrikonekta CEO Tichaona Dande

BY NJOKI KARANJA

Intercity online bus booking platform AfriKonekta has unveiled a $1 countrywide intercity digital bus booking platform, allowing passengers to book bus tickets at a tap of a button. Passengers can book a bus ticket to major destinations around Kenya starting from just $1 or about KSh 148 (today’s exchange rate). The platform has also integrated parcel delivery services targeting SMEs, online sellers and person to person (P2P) delivery services was unveiled on Wednesday and streemed live on their social media platform.

Afrikonekta CEO Tichaona Dande says that the platform seeks to build a connected Africa, broader and deeper regional and continental integration. “AfriKonekta was created to build a connected Africa, provide customer focused, low-cost, ‘smart’ and great value travel which is convenient to book and use. Our emphasis is on connectivity, timetable synchronization, route planning and integration, opening up country, regional and continent-wide transportation system through leveraging technology/digital innovations, e-commerce capabilities, and partnerships to make intercity transportation accessible, comfortable, attractive, efficient, well-connected, reliable, safe, sustainable, and affordable.”It targets long distance bus operators with routes from Nairobi to other towns and vice versa.

Currently, AfriKonekta is covering over 37 destinations (Mombasa, Moyale, Nakuru, Malindi, Busia, Sori, Bungoma, Butere, Siaya, Homabay, Kapenguria, L.Turkana, Bondo, Kisii, Oyugis, Migori, Usenge, Luanda, Ukwala Port, Mumias, Kitale, Mbale, Malaba, Kakuma, Nyamira, Kakamega, Eldoret, Kisumu, among others).The network comprises 1,000 trips per day, 282 stops with over 1,126 signed up vehicles, ranging from 7 to 62 seaters.At current operational capacity, AfriKonekta will be moving between 10,000 and 15,000 people per day depending on demand.The startup has signed about twenty (22) bus operators such as Msamaria Mwema, Nya Ugenya, Salama Bus, Transline Kemera Sacco, Promise Buses, We Travellers Sacco, Eldoret Express, among others.

However, it plans to sign up more players, launch operations in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda by early next year to expand its East Africa connectivity, continental coverage, and strengthen its inventory of partner operators.“With a wide range of express buses and shuttles, night buses, and affordable coaches and executive minivans available on our platform, we strive to give our valued customers an opportunity to grab exciting offers and deals and enjoy discounted trips
Our customers can choose from a wide range of our well-equipped vehicles with modern facilities, check bus schedules, track their bus (GPS tracking) and book bus tickets online from the comfort of their home or office,” Dande emphasized.“

AfriKonekta is a digital platform for intercity bus travel. With state-of-the-art technology, it provides customers with seamless, safe, secure planning, booking, traveling, and paying experience. Our commitment is to deliver a revolutionary means of travel that make long distance travel in Africa a tech-powered and attractive option. We have studied the best practices of global platforms, added our comprehensive expertise of the long-distance bus industry, and adapted the service to the African market needs,”  Said Dande.

 The service, which can be accessed on an App, Web, WhatsApp or via a toll-free phone call will allow travelers to book their tickets, choose seats and pay digitally, cutting the need to visit physical bus booking stations.Accepted payment methods include mobile money, credit/debit cards, and electronic bank transfers.Apart from online ticket sales, the platform also provides consumer apps (Apple and Android), reseller apps, back-office tools for operators, business intelligence reports, driver apps, and operators’ counter and staff sales channels.

“We provide bus partner operators with technology to automate processes and streamline behind-the-scenes booking management, eliminating the analog booking and management processes. While online bookings for bus operators has become easy, much of the behind-the-scenes processes of managing their operations remains manual and labor intensive,” Dande said. “We are thrilled to join forces with bus operators to further accelerate our journey to empower them to optimize & digitize their operations, maximize revenue collection and cut costs at the same time.”AfriKonekta’s key partners are small and medium size bus operators. These operators typically don’t have access to modern digital tools.

Therefore Digitalization accelerates their business growth, gives them more efficient sales channels, better customer experience, better visibility to actual sales, and tools to predict demand and use their vehicles more effectively,” Dande continues. Muhamad, one of the bus operators and owner of Salama Bus which is also on the platform, re-iterated the significance of digitalization in streamlining his operations. Intercity bus travel is an area of untapped potential in Africa.

In the absence of better rail facilities and air transportation, over 90% of all passenger traffic is completed by road transport (bus and private cars).AfriKonekta Mobility Oy is a Finnish startup company that is based in Helsinki that was founded by Tichaona Dande and Pekka Möttö.While Dande is from Zimbabwe and currently living in Finland, Möttö is a Finnish citizen. Dande moved to Finland in 2015 to pursue further studies in International Law, Global Politics, Business Administration, and Development studies completing three Masters’ degrees.

I’m addition,he has lived and worked in Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Finland in various companies including T-Mobile and Amazon.com.The company’s journey began in June 2021, when Dande contacted Möttö wanting to share his vision of connecting Africa through LinkedIn. He chose to work with Möttö, who is the founder of Onnibus, Finland’s biggest intercity bus booking operator.Before launching in Kenya, Dande emphasizes that AfriKonekta had to understand specific needs of Kenyan operators as well as local passengers.

During the 6 months pilot phase the company sold over 45 000 tickets.“Our vision is to provide tools and processes for African bus operators to prosper and grow  starting from Kenya,” he adds.Möttö says he was deeply impressed with Dande’s vision and ambitious plan. “Having initiated the digitalization and new business model in the Finnish bus industry and seen with my own eyes the rapidly growing passenger numbers and rejuvenation of the industry, it was easy for me to get excited and share Tichaona’s vision,” he says.

Dande and Möttö are excited about the launch in Kenya and are preparing to scale to new countries . “Most importantly, it is about improving the operator’s profitability, resources management, data-based workflows, customer engagement & communication, intelligence business reports, safety, and security of travel, the inclusion of more passenger groups, and ultimately better sustainability by enabling the operators the financing of new vehicles through partnerships with financial institutions,” he concluded.