The Foundation with has launched its new regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya says they are “focused on supporting innovative solutions to complex development challenges across Africa.”
Dr Rodin says the regional offices aims to strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to support development work undertaken by the Foundation towards building resilience to climate change, strengthening food security and promoting growth with equity in the continent.
“As we approach our Centennial celebration, we look back with pride on our history here. But much more importantly, we look forward to the next hundred years and to working with you to help build resilience to climate change, transform health systems through the region, and attract private investment to enable real, sustainable and equitable economic growth, ” she said during the opening ceremony of the office.
Dr Rodin says the Foundation’s work in Africa has focused on critical issues surrounding poverty and economic instability with specific focus on health, population, education and agriculture, as well as on leveraging resources from a range of partners, including government, industry and other development organizations.
Through the years, the Foundation’s support has led to the development of vaccines for the deadly diseases, greater access to higher education, and improved crop variety for farmers and ultimately had a major impact for communities across Africa.
According to Dr James Nyoro, Managing Director of the African Regional office for the Rockfeller Foundation they are “delighted to work with all stakeholders as we continue to promote resilience to the devastating effects of climate change, reinvent how health care systems serve the people, and support the growth of the impact of investment. Our areas of focus remain critical in ensuring that Africa will enjoy the benefits of globalization.”
Additionally, Dr Nyoro said that by addressing real world challenges through research and innovation, the Foundation continues to contribute to sustainable development in Africa.
He pointed out that “successes such as the development of the yellow fever vaccine and the establishment of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) are prime examples of the Foundation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of the African people.”
On his part Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Uhuru Kenyatta says the Foundation’s choice of Kenya as the headquarters of the African region demonstrates their high confidence in the government and the people of Kenya.
Mr Kenyatta pointed out that since 1966 the Foundation has supported development projects which have gone a long way to in complementing the Government his effort in its fight against poverty.
He noted that the Foundation’s projects are in line with the Government strategy as outlined in Kenya’s Vision 2030. “These projects financed under the Rockfeller Foundation are in the areas of Higher Education, Health, Agriculture and Climate Change, all being core sectors of growth.”
The Kenyan Government appreciated the role of the Foundation in the fight against HIV/AIDs. “The Government recognizes that to accomplish the economic goals envisioned in our Vision 2030, the Health sector will play a critical role in maintaining a health working population, which is necessary for increased lobar productivity, while maintaining individual wellbeing of Kenyans,” the minister said.
On agriculture the minister says Rockfeller Foundation in collaboration with Gates Foundation are supporting small scale farmers engaged in different type of agricultural activities. “Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy and currently contributes to 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for 18 percent of the total formal employment.”
The Deputy Prime Minister said the Government is working towards improving productivity, enhanced land use, marketing and value addition of Kenya’s agricultural products. He explained that they are carrying out institutional reforms aimed at strengthening research and development, improved delivery of extension services, strengthening production organizations, agriculture investment and export promotion.
With regard to climate change, Mr Kenyatta said Kenya’s economy is heavily reliant on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture and tourism. He said the effects of climate change are already being experienced in Kenya.
“Large percentage of natural disasters affecting the country are weather related,” he says, adding that they are “instituting reforms to incorporate climate change activities under the environment disaster policy. To this end, a Carbon Credit Unit has already been created at the ministry of Finance to follow up and address emerging challenges on climate change.”
Mr Kenyatta further says ICT Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) is being tapped to be “the top off shoring destination in Africa.” It is expected to be sector of choice for employment among the youth and young processing. Rockefeller Foundation support to the ICT Sector through impact outsourcing that employs people from base pyramid.
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