Entrepreneurship and Innovation: in Nairobi, Kenya and Italy Celebrate the Fourth Generation of Future Leaders

Posted on 05/09/202405/09/2024 by Martina Bolognesi

Nairobi, 05/09/2024 – This morning was held the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of entrepreneurs who attended the E4Impact Kenya acceleration program. This edition of the program, launched in 2018 by University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan in collaboration with the E4Impact Foundation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), saw the participation of over 30 Kenyan entrepreneurs, who were able to enhance their businesses through the training initiatives provided.

The ceremony was presided by the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, and the Principal Secretary for Small and Medium Enterprises, Honorable Susan Mang’eni; presents at the ceremony were Giovanni Grandi, Head of AICS Nairobi, and Mario Molteni, CEO of the E4Impact Foundation. Following the ceremony, a series of roundtable discussions took place. These sessions, involving representatives from the Italian and Kenyan private sectors as well as international organizations, highlighted the importance of creating new markets and strengthening commercial relations between the two countries.

Thanks to the support of AICS, E4Impact’s work continues to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in Kenya, offering new opportunities for future generations of entrepreneurs. “The collaboration with Kenya to strengthen business creation and job opportunities is one of the pillars of the Italy-Kenya partnership,” emphasized Ambassador Natali, adding that “it is through entrepreneurship and innovation that we can contribute to poverty reduction and long-term prosperity, especially considering the young average age of the population that will soon enter the job market.”

Kenyan coffee arrives at SIGEP in Rimini thanks to AICS and ICE

Posted on 22/01/202422/01/2024 by Alberto Favero

Rimini, 22 January 2024 – The 45th edition of the International Ice Cream, Pastry, Artisan Bakery and Coffee Exhibition (SIGEP) has begun at the Rimini exhibition centre. Thanks to the collaboration between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and Italian Trade Office (ITA/ICE) offices in Nairobi, a representation of six coffee cooperatives, part of the entrusted initiative "Revamping the Gourmet Coffee Production in Kenya" (AID 11767), is present at the fair, to promote coffee Kenyan on foreign markets and foster connections between coffee growers' cooperatives and buyers. Yesterday, the members of the cooperatives have already paid a visit to an Italian roaster, to understand better the technologies used, the required standards and the operating methods of the Italian roasters.

During the days of the exhibition, there will be a broad vision of the role of the Agency and, in particular, of the intervention carried out in the coffee sector in Kenya. In fact, coffee tastings from the cooperatives participating in the initiative and B2B moments with potential interested parties and buyers are planned.

The ITA/ICE Agency is collaborating with AICS to optimize the project results, creating opportunities for direct meetings between the cooperatives and the Italian roasters/producers, potentially interested in directly acquiring the selected green coffee and high-quality from the Cooperative themselves.

The cultivation of coffee in Kenya, mainly Arabica, dates back to the beginning of the last century and for a long time represented one of the first national exports and a constant and reliable source of livelihood for millions of families; today it is estimated that there are six million people who work directly and indirectly around coffee. However, this cultivation has progressively lost importance over the last 30 years.

Now the initiative financed by Italian cooperation and implemented by the NGO Cefa, in partnership with Avsi and E4Impact, aims to exploit the unexpressed potential of the sector by involving 21 cooperatives in seven counties, for a total of around 45,000 farmers.

“Our commitment in the coffee sector, an Italian excellence, is an example of the attention that the Nairobi office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation dedicates to the Planet pillar of the 2030 Agenda, through a 'climate-smart' approach that it allows us to enhance and make the coffee supply chain sustainable”, says the owner of the Kenyan branch of Aics, Giovanni Grandi. These measures include correct pruning and irrigation, and fertilization through compost, to improve the yield and quality of the plants, while at the same time enhancing their resistance to climate change and diseases.

During the fair, there will be three meetings organized by AICS and ICE aimed at the public:

Sunday 21 January, 3pm – 3.15pm | Coffee Arena – TED TALK AICS/ARABIKA “A journey through Kenya through the flavors of coffee: cup profiles, olfactory notes and hints of excellence.”

Tuesday 23 January, 4.00pm – 4.45pm | Choco Arena – TED TALK AICS/ARABIKA “From bean to cup: how Kenya and Italy collaborate to revive the production of quality coffee.”

Wednesday 24 January, 1.00pm – 2.00pm | Vision Plaza – Panel “Partnership in the coffee supply chain: challenges, prospects and role of the Italian system”.

The event on Wednesday 24 January includes the participation of the Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation Marco Riccardo Rusconi, the Director General of the ICE Lorenzo Galanti and Anthony Muriithi, Agriculture Attaché of the Embassy of Kenya in Italy.

From bean to cup: Italy supports the relaunch of coffee in Kenya

Posted on 26/10/202326/10/2023 by Martina Bolognesi

Nairobi, 26th October 2023 – This morning, at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Roberto Natali, a high-level event was held to share results and good practices achieved within the "Arabika: Relaunching gourmet coffee production in Kenya" initiative. The project is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by the Civil Society Organization CEFA, in collaboration with AVSI and the E4Impact Foundation. The event, opened by the Ambassador, counted on the presence of George Macgoye, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President of Kenya, of the representatives of the governments of the counties where the initiative takes place, of the twenty-one coffee cooperatives supported and of all partners.

The project is in its third year of implementation and intervenes along the entire coffee value chain, the main objectives being the improvement of income and resilience of small rural producers and the inclusion of women and young people in the job market. The initiative intervenes to improve access to markets, both locally and globally, ensuring sustainable production and a greater economic return for small-scale coffee producers. Arabika, the result of a dialogue between the Italian and the Kenyan governments started in 2018, is in line with the coffee value chain development strategies of the central and the local governments of Kenya.

The initiative is worth an investment of 3 million Euros and is realized in seven counties, involving 21 cooperatives bringing together more than 40,000 small-scale coffee farmers. Among the main results achieved it is worth highlighting the renovation of seven laboratories for coffee tasting though infrastructural interventions and with the provision of innovative machinery and equipment, the training of hundreds of trainers, farmers and managers of cooperatives, and the identification of seven new Kenyan coffee brands that will be officially registered by the end of the year.

Ambassador Natali declared: “This initiative brings Italian excellence in the coffee sector to Kenya. The results presented today show how the spirit of cooperation and shared growth between our two countries is a driving force for development for rural communities, in the name of the added value ensured by Italian best practices".

‘We are really grateful for this Arabika project: we have seen today how the capacity has been built, and it has been built in the right places. We recognize that’ said H. E. George Macgoye, Chief of Staff from the Office of the Deputy President.

Giovanni Grandi, Head of Office of the Nairobi Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, added: “The activities of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in the country aim to create new growth opportunities for ensure a more sustainable future. The Arabika initiative goes precisely in this direction, strengthening a key value chain for the Kenyan economy which generates income for over 5 million people, leveraging the Italian expertise made available by our local partners".

Kenya, Italy at the forefront of the environmental sector: the ‘Waste Wise’ initiative is underway with UN HABITAT and the Kenyan government

Posted on 09/06/202309/06/2023 by Alberto Favero

Nairobi, 07 June 2023 – On the sidelines of the Second Assembly of UN Habitat currently underway at the United Nations in Nairobi, the Ambassador of Italy in Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN Habitat, Roberto Natali, and the Director of UN Habitat's Global Solutions Division, Rafael Tuts, signed the agreements to kick off the “Waste Wise Korogocho Chapter” project. The two-year initiative is financed by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by UN Habitat.
The event saw the presence of the Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, Hon. Claudio Barbaro, of the Secretary of Housing of the Ministry of Land, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya, Said Athman, and Giovanni Grandi, Head of the Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Nairobi.

The project aims to start a sustainable waste management system in order to improve the social, health and economic conditions of the inhabitants of Korogocho, one of the largest informal settlements in the Kenyan capital. In recent years, the same area has benefited from redevelopment interventions by the Italian Cooperation as part of the Italian-Kenyan debt conversion programme, for a total value of approximately 46 million euros.

As Ambassador Natali said, "The initiative represents a further example of the partnership with UN-Habitat and with the Kenyan authorities, aimed at greater sustainability of urban areas from an environmental perspective. Thanks to the funding of the Waste Wise-Korogocho project, there will be a further positive impact in a neighborhood where Italy's commitment has been continuous, concretely changing the lives of those who unfortunately still live in precarious conditions today". The words of the Ambassador were echoed by what was also expressed by Undersecretary Barbaro, regarding this example of cooperation "perfectly in line with the issues we are addressing in this session of the Assembly" of UN Habitat, which will "positively affect the health of people and on an expansion of their job opportunities”.

Dr Grandi said: “This initiative will introduce a pilot approach to solid waste management in Nairobi, which we hope can be replicated elsewhere. The long-term goal is to work with the private sector, formal and informal, to build a sustainable waste supply chain in Korogocho and Kenya."

Secretary Athman and Director Tuts both expressed heartfelt thanks to Italy for the support, stating, the first, that "the intervention is perfectly in line with the priorities of the Kenyan government" and, the second, that this "represents a powerful testament to the shared vision, values and goals that unite us and underscores our commitment to sustainable development in Kenya by promoting the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Somalia’s immense economic potential highlighted at Mogadishu conference

Posted on 05/06/202305/06/2023 by Alberto Favero

Small-scale fishing and blue economy in Kenya: Aics delivers equipped boats to five coastal counties

Posted on 18/05/202318/05/2023 by Alberto Favero

Mombasa, 17 May 2023 – The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics) today proceeded with the official delivery of 26 boats, acquired through the 'Go Blue' Program financed by the European Union, to the governors of the Counties of Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu, who have committed to transfer them to fishermen five cooperatives ('Beach Management Unit') distributed on the counties bordering the Indian Ocean in Kenya. The ceremony, which was attended by the Head of the Nairobi Office of Aics, Giovanni Grandi, was attended by the Vice-President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua and the Representative of the European Union in Kenya, Henriette Geiger, at the head of a Delegation of ten Ambassadors of as many EU member states, together with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Mines, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, as well as the three Governors of the partner counties.

In Kenya, the shortage of boats and fishing equipment available to community organizations that manage fisheries locally, the Beach Management Units, forces fishermen to turn to intermediaries for boat rentals, often at high costs. Thanks to funding from the European Union, Italian cooperation through Go Blue is intervening in the weakest phases of the artisanal fishing chain: a series of interventions is planned, including infrastructural works, training for fishermen, the introduction of a labelling system that certifies the quality of the fish on the market.

'The delivery of the boats represents a milestone for the Italian component of Go Blue', said Giovanni Grandi, owner of the Aics office in Nairobi. 'We believe that this can increase the activities and income of the partner cooperatives. We are also working together with our technical partner CIHEAM Bari on the design of a revolving fund-like boat management scheme, which will allow supplied vessels to generate capital and enable fishermen to acquire additional boats. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that the resources of the blue economy are used in the most sustainable way,' he concluded.

'Go Blue has put coastal communities and their needs at the heart of our interventions, with its three different interconnected components, all aimed at achieving sustained economic growth, protecting the environment and adapting to challenges related to urbanisation', declared the European Union Representative in Kenya, Henriette Geiger. 'The European Union is giving central importance to the development of the blue economy, and we are present to provide our support'.

At the conclusion of the event, the Vice-President of Kenya Rigathi Gachagua wanted to thank the European Union 'for the great support it is giving to our country and to our people. We don't take that for granted and we're very grateful for that."

Italy boosts its commitment to fight gender-based violence in Kenya with UN WOMEN

Posted on 05/06/202305/06/2023 by Alberto Favero

Nairobi, 31st of May 2023 – The Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Roberto Natali, and UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, signed this morning the Agreement to kick-start the project “Let it not Happen Again: Safeguarding the Rights of GBV Survivors through Access to Justice”, a 3-year initiative worth 1,8 Million EUR (approximately 268 Million KES) funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by UN WOMEN in partnership with OHCHR. The event counted on the presence of Ms. Veronica Nduva, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action of Kenya, Mr. Giovanni Grandi, Head of the Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Nairobi, Mr. Anthony Ngororano, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, Ms. Anna Mutavati, UN WOMEN Country Representative for Kenya, representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right (OHCHR), from the National Police Service and from the civil society.
The initiative, that will be realized in the counties of Nairobi, Kisumu, Kilifi, Isiolo, Bungoma and Vihiga. It will support the implementation of policy reforms and the strengthening of relevant institutions it will focus on women empowerment, the recognition of the role and rights of women in society and access to justice for victims of violence.
As Ambassador Natali said, “Italy firmly believes that gender equality and women empowerment are essential to eradicate poverty and build a society based on sustainable development, social justice and human rights. The message we want to launch once again today is: Let it not happen again!”
Giovanni Grandi, Head of Aics Regional Office, said: “This new phase marks a transition in the approach of the Italian Cooperation in Kenya to the fight against GBV, having a wider scope in terms of time duration, financial resources allocated and number of counties of intervention”.

According to Dr Houinato, “One of the major results from this partnership was that Kenya’s elections were largely peaceful with considerably fewer cases of VAWE reported, as compared to elections of the past. However, our work is not yet finished. While GBV still persists in Kenya, we must build on our lessons learnt to support comprehensive prevention and response programming, that addresses the social and structural factors that drive GBV.”

The BMUs of Mtwapa and Uyombo receive the boats financed by EU-funded programme Go Blue

Posted on 14/04/202314/04/2023 by Alberto Favero

Kilifi county, 12 April 2023. The handover of 6 fully loaded fishing boats took place on April 12, 2023, in the Beach Management Units (BMUs) of Mtwapa and Uyombo, Kilifi County. The boats, three for each BMU, were delivered by a delegation of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics) and were financed within the Italian component of the EU-funded Go Blue Programme. The Italian component, which is developed by Aics in technical partnership with the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, aims at enhancing the fishery and the cassava value chains, which represent two driving sectors for the local economy, and to support the strengthening the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Secretariat (JKP), which is the strategic local partner responsible for the overall coordination and monitoring of the programme.

In both BMUs the delegation was welcomed by a big number of fishermen, traders and members who expressed sincere gratitude for the equipment received and for the joint effort among international, local and governmental stakeholders for the realization of such a comprehensive multiannual development initiative. In particular, the chairmen of the two boards expressed their satisfaction and once again confirmed the BMU’s commitment to make sure that the boats will benefit the entire community.

At the event, the Kilifi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Development & Blue Economy, Hon. Dr. Peterson Chura Mwagona underlined the importance of the strategic partnership and synergy with Italy and the other partners of Go Blue for the development of the sector. Also present from Kilifi County were the Chief Officer for the Blue Economy Mrs. Rahab Karisa and the Assistant Director Mr. John Mwangi Gachuru.

Moreover, the CEO of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP), Mr. Emmanuel Nzai, who was accompanied by the JKP Responsible for Financial Services & Investments Mrs. Gladys Mnjama, remarked the impact of the set of activities performed by Aics some of which are realized in a technical partnership with CIHEAM Bari, among which, besides from the delivery of boats and fishing gears, there are trainings to fishermen and the provision of ice-making machines that will contribute significantly to making the cold chain reliable and preserving the fish.

According to Mr. Lorenzo Colonna-Preti, project manager for the Italian component of Go Blue, the six delivered boats will significantly contribute to create revenues and economic opportunities for the communities in the area. He particularly underlined that the synergy among developing partners, governmental and county authorities and BMUs is key to the development of the coastal area of Kenya, harnessing important coastal and marine resources not only to achieve the development of a sustainable blue economy, but also to bring jobs to many youths and women.

The handover procedure included a test of the proper functionality of each boat including the engine, and a detailed check of the related safety equipment that has been provided.

Uganda, a new surgical ophthalmology complex opened, funded by Aics

Posted on 24/03/202324/03/2023 by Alberto Favero

The new surgical ophthalmological complex of the St. Joseph Hospital was inaugurated today in Kitgum, in northern Uganda, built thanks to the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics).

The department aims to improve access to and quality of ophthalmic services for 10,200 people each year, with particular attention to the most vulnerable categories such as people with disabilities, women and children, who also live in the most remote communities.

The new complex sees the light after three years of work thanks to a large international cooperation project, led by Cbm Italia - a humanitarian organization engaged in the prevention and treatment of visual impairments in the countries of the South of the world - in agreement with the Ministry of Ugandan Health, in collaboration with the Organisation of the Civil Society Doctors with Africa Cuamm and the district governments of Kitgum, Arua and Terego.

The inauguration took place in the presence of the director of Cbm Italia Massimo Maggio, of Monsignor John Baptist Odama, archbishop of Gulu, of the Ugandan Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng, of the medical director of the S. Joseph Hospital Pamela Atim and of Jackie Kwesiga, country director of Cbm for Uganda.

In Uganda there are 3 million people with vision problems, but at the moment there is one ophthalmologist for every million people throughout the country. Pathologies such as cataracts, refractive errors, trachoma, trauma and glaucoma lead to blindness as they are not treated due to lack of adequate ophthalmic means and services, especially in more remote areas. However, 75% of cases of blindness are preventable and treatable according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

The new complex includes a new operating room which makes the eye center capable of providing diagnostic care, specialist treatments and surgery. Added to this is the renovation of the patient recovery room.

The same project also allowed the renovation and equipping of four other health centers, as well as the organization of mobile surgical and non-surgical eye clinics in remote communities and refugee camps.

Less gender-based violence and more justice for women: the efforts of Aics and UN WOMEN in Kenya

Posted on 25/11/202225/11/2022 by Alberto Favero

“The elections of this year, 2022, were the first peaceful elections in Bungoma since 1963” tells us Rosemary Cheptai, a lady of a certain age with lively eyes and wrinkled hands. The Bungoma area and, in particular that of Mount Elgon where Rosemary comes from - on the border with Uganda - is considered particularly vulnerable during electoral periods due to the numerous episodes of violence. Rosemary tells us her story: “During the electoral periods I was the victim of violence. My neighbors have also lost sons and daughters. Now I am a peace facilitator: I lead dialogues with my community and neighbors. We are tired of losing our children. We are tired of being violated. We need to remind our people of what we've been through, so we don't go back."

Despite many fears, the general elections of August 2022 in Kenya were held peacefully and this represents a great victory for Kenya and for the populations of these areas. It is also a great victory for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics) which has been supporting prevention and response activities to gender-based violence during electoral periods since 2019 with the “Let It Not Happen Again” initiative. The funding of approximately one million dollars in favor of UN Women and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has ensured, on the one hand, activities to strengthen the capacities of public institutions (in particular police personnel, judiciary, health personnel), and on the other hand the empowerment of civil society organizations and rights defenders associations in their advocacy efforts.

Through this initiative, numerous training sessions were organized aimed at strengthening the existing coordination mechanisms to ensure early warning and response plans in cases of violence.

“Do you remember during the first meeting?” jokingly says Betty Okero, OSC Network representative, to Chief Njeru of Bumula Police Station, Bungoma County. "We yelled at each other and we couldn't understand each other." The trainings, on the other hand, contributed to developing personal relationships between the various actors involved, thus overcoming distrust and preconceptions. All this has contributed to creating a climate of collaboration and support between the different parts of the company.

Also thanks to Italian support, for the first time in the history of Kenya this year the Public Prosecutor asked that the sentences against 12 police officers accused of rape, murder and torture for crimes committed during the 2017 elections be dealt with as crimes against humanity. This is the first criminal case for election-related sexual assault. The Public Prosecutor also ordered that the investigation be undertaken by the Independent Police Supervision Authority, with the participation of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, civil society organizations and survivors. Among the other results achieved in the first two phases of the project, we recall the establishment of the first Directorate for Gender at the National Police Service and the improvement of access of the target population to essential services, with 930 survivors of SGBV cases having obtained access to dedicated medico-legal services.

Despite the excellent results, there is still a long way to go to eliminate violence and abuse and it is essential to continue to fight so that human rights are no longer violated and that all citizens have fair access to justice.

Category Archives: Kenya (EN)