JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2021 1,000/= TANZANIA 20,000/= 25,000/=

MEDICINE: WHY THE OXFORD ASTRAZENECA VACCINE IS NOW A GLOBAL GAME CHANGER HEALTH: LESSONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ON FIGHTING COVID’S SECOND WAVE IMAGE: CORPORATE ACTIVISM IS MORE THAN A MARKETING GIMMICK ENVIRONMENT: CEOS MUST FACE UNCERTAINTY AND TACKLE IT HEAD-ON

TOP 25 CEOs MAKING AN IMPACT IN BUSINESS 2021 SURVEY

#1 DR. JEREMY

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PUBLISHER’S NOTE JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 Vol. 16, No 155 Top 25 CEOs setting the COMMENTARY OPINION SCIENCE business agenda in 2021 Why the Oxford AstraZeneca What Netflix’s involvement Why it matters that the coronavirus is From a list of 100 media submissions, it has not been easy ending with only 25 each celebrating each vaccine is now a global in Nigeria’s massive film changing – and what this means for year this magazine has in published. It has been hard work of reading and researching and occasional getting permission from some of you or counter checking some facts to try to ensure accuracy. game changer 98 industry really means 106 vaccine effectiveness 110

NOMINEES Dr Githinji Gitahi - Group BEYOND BUSINESS 6 Dr Jeremy Awori - MD & ’s air has been polluted CEO Amref Health Africa for decades: New review CEO Absa Bank Kenya Dr Gitahi is currently one of the most suggests a path forward 116 Advertising campaigns: distinguished thought leaders in the Other research has found that the What you don’t see 10 Phyllis Wakiaga - CEO Kenya healthcare industry and policy, a space he fuel economy of vehicles in Nairobi Association of Manufacturers (KAM) demonstrated his acumen and vision since is 2-3 times worse than in countries the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. 118 Corporate activism is more like Japan, India and China. 14 Joshua Oigara - MD & 48 90 than a marketing gimmick CEO, KCB Bank Group Wachira Waruru 18 Rita Kavashe (MBS) - MD, MD & CEO Royal Media Services NEWS FEATURE OPINION ART/CULTURE Isuzu If there is a media executive whose star is shining, it is none other than Wachira Waruru. 82 Large Africa study makes important 20 Rebecca Miano (OGW MBS) 120 Big Brother Naija’: Nigeria’s Known to his friends as Ondiek, meaning breakthrough in HIV prevention 102 African countries need more - MD & CEO Kenya Electricity of the ‘wild’, Wachira started the year with air quality data - and sharing unlikely public relations campaign? Generating Company Plc an appointment by the President of Kenya to the star studded COVID-19 Emergency 84 Massive project on African DNA it unlocks its benefits 122 What archaeology tells us 26 Arvinder Singh Reel - CEO Response Fund Board on March 30, 2020 sets out to close the knowledge about the music and sounds 22 gap on mental illness 104 Dimming the sun could reduce CFAO Automotive-Kenya future drought risk in Cape made by Africa’s ancestors & MD Toyota Kenya 86 The loss of vegetation is Town – but there’s a catch SOCIETY 28 Carole Karuga - KEPSA CEO Carole 62 Dr Wilfred Marube - CEO 76 Dr Macharia Irungu - MD creating a dangerous heat Kenya Export Promotion & CEO, Kenya Pipeline island over Nairobi 30 Ashok Shah - Group CEO- and Branding Agency 124 Anxiety in Johannesburg: New Apollo Investments 78 Dr Naim Bilal - MD 88 New year, new exciting offer for views on a global south city 64 Jane Karuku - MD & CEO, The Kenya DStv, GOtv customers to cushion 34 Peter Ndegwa - MD & & CEO, EABL Broadcasting Corporation Kenyans from January blues i CEO Safaricom PLC 126 Dar es Salaam’s new 66 - MD & 80 Samantha Siyieyio Kipury - Group 92 Legal audits: Antidote to rapid bus system won 36 Mohammed Hersi - Chief Visionary CEO, of Kenya MD & CEO, Dentsu Kenya corporate legal risks international acclaim – but Officer, The-Power-Of-A-Tweet it excludes the poor 38 Allan Kilavuka - MD & CEO Dr Elizabeth Wala - Chief SECTOR REVIEW SPORTS Kenya Airways PLC Visionary Officer & Founder of Wanderlust Diaries 94 What is bipolar disorder, the Has the skin lightener condition Kanye West lives with? industry learned from 128 Football and politics: When 44 Andrew Mutuma - MD & Dr Wala studied Economic Evaluation Black Lives Matter? CEO, DHL Express Kenya of Global Health at the University of Algeria won the 2019 Washington in 2018, and holds a Master 96 CEOs must face uncertainty Ending the most dangerous dimensions of Africa Cup of Nations 52 Peter Nduati - CEO and of Science degree in Infectious Diseases and tackle it head-on the trade – the promotion of racist beauty Founder-Resolution Group (LSHTM) from the University of London ideals and the use of products containing (2008-2011) and a Bachelor of Medicine, mercury and other toxic ingredients – will LAST WORD COMMENTARY 54 Peter Njonjo - CEO & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from require ongoing consciousness-raising the (1996-2002). and effective government regulation. 130 Reconnecting Business Co-founder-Twiga Foods Lessons from around the world 70 100 112 Success with Social Progress 58 Vivienne Yeda - MD & CEO - EADB on fighting Covid’s second wave

2 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 3 ANNIVESARY EDITION Publisher’s Note Top 25 CEOs setting the business agenda in 2021 From a list of 100 media submissions, it has not been easy ending with only 25 each celebrating each year this magazine has in PUBLISHER: published. It has been hard work of reading and researching Dr. Hanningtone Gaya and occasional getting permission from some of you or counter [email protected] 0722 742287 checking some facts to try to ensure accuracy. EDITOR: munities and occasionally in solve debilitat- Martin O’Neil ing environmental problems. At this stage, CONTRIBUTORS: profitability is latent reason, not the main Cathy Mputhia reason. Enter Peter Njonjo, the CEO and Mike Eldon Co-founder of Twiga Foods. His dream has Scott Bellows Lennox Yieke become a largescale solution to solving the Anzetse Were plight of small-scale producers and distrib- Jeff Aludo utors of food in the country and beyond the PUBLISHED BY: borders into the larger sub-Saharan Africa. The Knowledge Warehouse Most people strive for hard work. Other 020 26504 937 prefer upscaling themselves in their pro- 0722 742 287 fessions. This, they do meticulously while DESIGN & LAYOUT: respecting their professional code of con- airline afloat, through quick decision to Wilfred Marube, Dr Macharia Irungu (ICDC) with oversight on the boards of Fontana Creations duct and practice. Instead of disappearing turnaround the business from passenger to and Dr Naim Bilal of the Kenya Export Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Railways and Kenya DR HANNINGTONE GAYA MIS & ADMINISTRATION: into the thin air, overnight with clients’ cargo transport as the main business model Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPBA) Ports Authority. ICDC is responsible for the Marilene Mercy CEO - The Knowledge Warehouse Kenya money, they have chosen the right path of and subsequently preparing in readiness to Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and Kenya management of the State’s investments in 0722 420 493 professional integrity: instituted corporate distribute the Covid-19 vaccines globally Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). ports, rail and pipeline services. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT governance structures that steer them and and in particular to Africa makes Allan Of note, is the Kenya Pipeline Company, For those never been feted before, this MANAGER: he Media is the public watchdog and the organisations they founded to multi-na- Kilavuka, the new CEO at Kenya Airways the leading state-owned enterprise (SOE) is your time to shine in public. From today, Martin O’Neil often the barometer for all actions tional blue chip company levels with strong (KQ) a business leader to watch. that has been turning a profit in the last 8 you are marked men and women who have 0721 989 263 and omissions. The media also sets brands, with sterling quality products and Most befitting, of course, are the words years and paying dividends to the National to continue to strive to excel in whatever ADVERTISING: the public agenda and mediates the customer services. Enter Peter Nduati and of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance Treasury, in addition to being self-financing led you to being noted and outed in the Dr. Hanningtone Gaya publicT discourse. Edward Kirathe, CEOs and founders of (KEPSA) Chairman, the amiable, focussed for all its capital expenditures, without first place. Be humbled. Awards are public [email protected] In this second business leaders’ awards Resolution Insurance and Acorn Holdings and witty Nicholas (Nik) Nesbitt in con- needing government guarantee when tak- endorsements and appreciation. 0722 742287 issue, the media is bringing to the fore, pub- respectively. These two operate in very gratulating Mohammed Hersi for his ing out for its massive infrastruc- From a list of 100 media submissions, it DISTRIBUTED BY: lic acknowledgements of 25 CEOs who have difficult industries with all kinds of poor latest award as the 2020 Winner Most ture undertakings. The KPC is one of the has not been easy ending with only 25 each Nation Marketing & Publishing displayed tremendous leadership traits in corporate practices and indulgences. These Influential Digital Leader by IAfrikan.com, few SOEs that continues to benefit from celebrating each year this magazine has in A Division of their respective organizations, in addition two are soaring high above the hawks. ‘@Mohammed Hersi fantastic recognition sustainable good corporate governance published. It has been hard work of reading P.O. Box 49010-00100 Nairobi Tel: 020 3288588 / 8574 to providing time and sterling service to Enter Covid-19 pandemic that has been for how thoughtfully you share and shape practice, benefitting in the last five years and researching and occasional getting per- the sectors, industries and institutions they creating havoc on the economic and social insights into so much more than tour- from the chairmanship of John Ngumi, a mission from some of you or counter check- CONtent: have been made responsible. Beyond this, life of every Kenyan. The work ethics, ism. Your digital contributions make a big respected corporate, enormously self-con- ing some facts to try to ensure accuracy. Produced under common licence from The Conversation others have found time to serve the people energy, innovations, integrity, information, difference in the major discourse in the fident person possessing copious amounts The final ranking was done by a respect- BusinessMonthly of Kenya, giving freely their time and wis- vision and leadership on display by Carole country. Thank you for always thinking of drive, determination, energy and will ful team of business editors, past and pres- www.theknowledgewarehouseke.com dom to cushion the life of the ordinary and Karuga, Phyllis Wakiaga, Dr Githinji Gitahi and writing! Keep your digital engines to win. ent and a number of partners of leading on occasions very vulnerable members of and Dr Elizabeth Wala remain ingrained in firing away! John, who holds a degree in Philosophy, public relations (PR) firms, editors at The the national fabric. the heart of Kenyans. In recognition of the role of the pub- Politics and Economics from St. Peter’s Knowledge Warehouse and TIFA Research Entrepreneurship, like innovations, The most affected of all sectors by the lic sector as an enabler to business, the College, Oxford University, United led by the MD Margaret Ireri. This is how starts as a small but persistent dream usu- entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the BUSINESS MONTHLY magazine awards Kingdom, plays pivotal roles at the inter- we ended up with the list of the top 25 ally past 3.00 am. In the next few nights, Covid-19 disease is the aviation industry. have been broadened to include CEOs section of public and private spheres CEOs driving business, impacting policies the dreams continue to nag past 4.00 am For a new CEO taking over on April 1, 2020 in this sector who have discharged their and was recently appointed on August and creating a business environment that and germinate into sense of purpose, urgent at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and responsibilities with distinction in improv- 7, 2020 to chair the board of Industrial is conducive, fair and competitive, while desires to meet needs in the society, in com- subsequent lockdown, keeping the national ing the business environment. Enter Dr and Commercial Development Corporation impacting the life of all Kenyans. ©THEKNOWLEDGEWAREHOUSE 2021

4 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 5 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

eremy Awori ended the year 2020 #1 on a roll for two main reasons: first is a successful brand change from Dr Jeremy Awori Barclays to ABSA Bank Plc complete withJ a flawless Management Information MD & CEO, System (MIS) operation from across three continents. Second, an uninterrupted cus- tomer centric service that did not incon- venience customers, keeping all branches open while placing a secure Co-Covid-19 protocol systems and structures that con- forms and supersedes the set WHO stan- dards. 2021 starts on yet a favourable industry Absa Kenya MD footing. In a well authored article in the Jeremy Awori and Business Daily newspaper of November PS Chris K Kiptoo 30th 2020, Jeremy posits that businesses pose for a photo during the launch must reconnect company successes with of Sustainability social progress, ‘’if we have to attain the commitments that strategic UN sustainable development goals will guide Absa’s (SDGs). This, Jeremy adds, ‘’should be addi- business strategy in tional to the corporate social responsibility the coming years on October30, 2020. (CSR) programmes which, historically, have mostly taken the form of philanthropic engagements.’’ and products the premier bank offers. chasing new vehicles of their choice, its customers at affordable interest According to Jeremy, ‘’creating business One of the several milestones both in the commercial and passenger rates and sufficient repayment periods. value in a way that also creates value for marked by the bank, is the devel- services categories. “We are in an unprecedented economic both society and the environment approach opment of a sustainability strategy Under this deal, the bank has part- time and well apprised of the ravaging transforms CSR, as we currently know it, and implementation framework that nered with the four major distributors effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on and underpins the CSR concept in order started in 2019, when ABSA Bank in East Africa, namely Toyota Kenya, all sectors, particularly SME sector. to achieve enhanced sustainability and Kenya became one of the first signa- Isuzu East Africa, CFAO DT Dobie, This partnership with the four-vehicle impact, when the concept of value creation tories of the principles for responsible and Simba Corporation. dealers acknowledges this, hence the is part of the company core business.’’. This banking, committing to strategically On this partnership, the bank reaf- packaging of what we consider as an is industry leadership from the front. align the Kenya business with the firmed its commitment to providing affordable, accommodative and flexi- In addition, ‘’by resolving deep-rooted sustainable development goals and the tailor-made, value-adding solutions to ble financing deal,” states the bank in a societal, economic and environment chal- Paris agreement on climate change, the statement released during the launch. lenges in a country, businesses can make bank being a signatory of the United Under the deal, SMEs, salaried money,’’ Jeremy posits in the article. He Nations Global Compact. customers, and those in the expansive adds that this is the only approach for On product innovation and ABSA Bank Kenya commercial business space, including banks to consider today, if businesses are improvement, for instance, Absa Bank PLC in 2020 embarked schools, colleges, churches, and others to guarantee and boost food production Kenya has enhanced its vehicle asset will have access to a holistic propo- and access to water, in order to avoid financing proposition by extending the on a journey to embed sition which also includes insurance compounded adverse impact on lives and repayment period to six years or 72 sustainability as a and insurance premium financing, all livelihoods especially among the most vul- months, the longest tenor in the vehicle strategic business under one roof. The financing deal is nerable citizens. asset financing industry. open to both Absa Bank customers According to the article, ABSA Bank The deal comes with a Sh300, 000 principle, with and potential customers who would Kenya PLC in 2020 embarked on a jour- vehicle maintenance limit on credit the objective of wish to purchase vehicles and are ney to embed sustainability as a strategic cards for customers who take up the creating incremental looking to be financed by a financial business principle, with the objective of offer to support them maintain their institution. creating incremental shared value for all vehicles, including managing their fuel shared value for all With this these and many more, the stakeholders both in the way the bank purchases. This is in addition to the stakeholders Jeremy Awori starts 2021 on the steer- carries out business but also in the services 95% funding offer for customers pur- ing wheel of business leadership

6 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 7 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

CITATION: Life Time Award: Transition Leadership from Barclays Kenya to Absa Bank Kenya PLC.

Industry Leadership- KEPSA and KBA.

Brand Equity- Maintaining Barclays Kenya as the premier bank for seven years.

Change Management- Corporate Governance- Board Composition and Diversity

Ambassador- Business value creation concept-Business Daily November 19 article

National leadership through membership of the Covid-19 Funding Board Simplify

in Kenya, with his bank taking Above: Absa Kenya a bold step that will inspire business MD Jeremy Awori pose for a photo your life with innovation on social and environ- when Barclays Bank mental challenges in line with ABSA began trading as Bank Kenya’s commitment to be Absa Bank Kenya a more active force for good in the following official name change. Absa One Account communities where the operates. Jeremy Awori transitioned to Absa as the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer from Barclays Right: Absa Kenya Bank Kenya where he held the same MD, Jeremy Awori position, having joined Barclays in and his sons cheer With the Absa One Account for you or your business, February 2013. after supporting Prior to this, Jeremy was the the families in there’s zero maintenance fees and no minimum Kayole, Kangemi, Chief Executive Officer of Standard balance. limits are higher and repayment Chartered Bank (SCB) in Tanzania Waithaka and directorship at Kenya Private Sector Business from McGill University in from December 2008 to January Gathondeki who Alliance (KEPSA), an umbrella Canada. periods are longer. Plus, whenever you use your 2013, having risen from December needed some business lobby group on economic In 2020, all eyes were fixed on 2008 to January 2013, from the support on June 21, empowerment. Jeremy as Barclays Bank Kenya Absa Card, you get guaranteed monthly cashback. 2020 position of Regional Sales Director, In banking industry leadership, transitioned fully to Absa Bank Middle East, South Asia and Africa Jeremy has been the chairman of Kenya PLC, after a presence of over for Standard Chartered Bank, a posi- Kenya Bankers Association between 100 years as the premier bank in tion he held from 2006 to December June 2013 and July 2014, the the country. During the transition, 2008. During this time, Jeremy was industry banking body responsible Jeremy has remained on course, hav- SMS One to 22268 to sign up. Board Director of SCB Kenya, then for managing the banking agenda ing led the bank in registering its the largest listed company in the and liaising with key stakeholders fastest growth in a decade year-on- Nairobi Stock Exchange, where he including the government and key year, with a strong revenue growth was the youngest Board Director in consumer institutions. buttressed by well-contained cost the history of SCB. Jeremy holds a BSc Degree in base, increased operating profit. The Jeremy was in 2020 appointed Pharmacy from the University of successful rebranding from a global by the President to sit on the Covid- Manchester in the UK and an MBA icon to a continental banking brand, 19 Funding Board, in addition to his degree in Finance and International ABSA, is no mean a feat. www.absabank.co.ke

Terms and conditions apply. Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the of Kenya. 8 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 9 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

#2 tics committee and help set up transparent process to ensure value for money for the funds raised by this private initiative. Phyllis Wakiaga Under Phyllis as CEO, KAM also achieved some big policy wins, through CEO, KENYA ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS engagements with the government on the development of measures to cushion busi- nesses, and the country from the impact of the Covid-19 virus. Some of key policy wins include:  Reduction of VAT from 16 % to 14%, Income Tax Rate (Pay-As-You-Earn) from ccording to Phyllis Wakiaga, 30 % to 25% and Resident Income Tax 2020 has been a tough year for (Corporation Tax) from 30% to 25%. all, the Covid-19 pandemic having  Expedition of payment of pending thrown an unwonted curveball on bills and verified VAT refunds. Athe Kenya Association of Manufacturers  Lowering of the Central Bank Rate (KAM) plans. Nevertheless, under her exec- (CBR) to 7.25% from 8.25% effectively utive leadership, KAM made efforts to Keep prompting banks to lower interest rates. Kenya moving, to cushion the country from  Approval of applications for duty-free a product is extended to the post-con- the impact of the pandemic. importation of Industrial Spare Parts (ISP). sumer stage of a product’s life cycle, Most manufacturers stepped up pro-  Approval of list of manufacturers for Under Phyllis as CEO, whilst turning plastic waste into valu- duction and others started manufacturing reduced Import Declaration Fee (IDF) and KAM achieved some able resources. The Strategic Plan sets of essential PPEs items, such as hand Railway Development Levy (RDL) rates big policy wins, through out the direction of KAM’s priorities in sanitizers and masks. Yet others donated at 1.5%. the waste value chain and key action hygiene items, including soap and water  Implementation of the Green Channel engagements with the in effecting the steps towards a clean tanks to the frontline workers and the most treatment. Green channel provides an effi- government on the Kenya as industry moves from a linear vulnerable and poor communities. cient and expedited cargo clearance process development of measures to to a circular economy. Notable are the manufacturers who for no/low risk imported consignments  Centre for Green Growth and repurposed their production lines, to pro- imported by compliant manufacturers. cushion businesses, and the Climate Change: Through this Centre, duce personal protective equipment (PPEs) In addition, KAM continued to drive country from the impact of the Association seeks to provide a one- to be used by frontline medical personnel the sustainability agenda, through the fol- the Covid-19 virus stop solution to deepen industry level in the fight against the pandemic. This kind lowing initiatives: interventions, promote a circular econo- of manufacturers’ initiatives not only show-  Women in Manufacturing Report: my, promote climate change actions, and cased the innovations that local industry KAM launched the first-ever Women in financial linkages that prioritise people can offer to the local and export markets, Manufacturing Report. The outcomes of and planet. but also why a resilient sector matters for the research shall pivot KAM’s advoca-  Youth Employment Project: the economy. Phyllis promoted and facili- cy drive of the Women in Manufacturing KAM in partnership with German tated the growth of local PPE manufactur- Program in Kenya, by providing concrete Development Corporation launched ing and buy Kenya build Kenya (BKBK) data on the necessary areas to improve. It the ‘Promoting Youth Employment agenda 2030. shall inform stakeholders in mainstreaming through Entrepreneurship and Skills Through the Private Sector Covid-19 gender equality and inclusion in the manu- Development Project’. It seeks to create Fund, where Phyllis Wakiaga was appoint- facturing sector. job and entrepreneurship opportunities, ed by the President as one of the members,  Kenya Producer Responsibility by linking Competence Based Education local industry continued to support vulner- Organization (PRO) Business Plan: and Training (CBET) and Technical able citizens, through provision of water, The PRO will drive collective Extended and Vocational Education and Training food and other basic and hygiene needs. Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the coun- (TVET) graduates with opportunities in Phyllis chaired the procurement and logis- try, whereby a producer’s responsibility for local industries.

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(AILA) UK London and High- Performance Boardrooms- Institute of Directors. Phyllis is an She represents KAM on vari- ous state-owned enterprises (SOE) alumnus of the boards and was recently re-elected Swedish Institute for a second term to the board of Management KENGEN. Phyllis chairs the Kenya Water Industrial Alliance and the Program on United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Network Kenya, the largest in Africa Business and will continue driving the corpo- rate sustainability agenda in 2021. Leadership and Born in 1982, Phyllis was rec- Corporate Social ognized as one of the 2019 Most Responsibility Influential People of African Descent, Global 100 Under 40. She was rec- and was part of ognized in 2020 in the inaugural the inaugural Top 25 CEOs setting the business program for agenda by BUSINESS MONTHLY magazine in its 25th Anniversary Africa in 2014. Celebration Awards issue.

Ms Phyllis Wakiaga shares insights on energy efficiency at CEO’s Forum CITATION of Law, and a Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management from Business Sustainability the Institute of Human Resources Management Kenya. Policy Formulation and In 2013, she joined the Kenya Diplomacy Association of Manufacturers (KAM), as the Head of Policy, Local Content and Manufacturing Research and Advocacy, becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2015, tak- Institutional rebranding ing over from the legendary Betty Maina, who joined the public service Ethical Leadership as the Principal Secretary for Trade and Industry. Corporate Governance Phyllis is an alumnus of the International Trade Law Swedish Institute Management Program on Sustainable Business Research and Advocacy Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility and was part of the inaugural program for Africa in 2014. Now a PhD student in Investment Law from the University She has been trained in the Leadership and Governance, hav- of Nairobi, Masters in Business Role of the Private Sector in ing completed the course working Administration from Jomo Kenyatta Government Policy by Strathmore and now embarking on writing her University of Agriculture and Business School and John Hopkins thesis, Phyllis is an Advocate of the Technology, Bachelor of Law Degree University; Investment Treaty High Court of Kenya and holds a from the University of Nairobi, Law and Arbitration—Africa Masters in International Trade and Diploma in Law from Kenya School International Legal Awareness

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emissions, according to a press release announcing the deal. #3 According to GCR, the endorsement cements KCB Bank’s efforts in enhancing sustainability as the bank now has an Joshua Oigara opportunity to make even a bigger impact through lending to mega green projects MD & CEO, KCB BANK GROUP throughout East Africa, where KCB Bank boasts of both large and deep footprints. The accolade and subsequent accred- itation follow extensive due diligence assessment conducted by GCF since 2018, in order to ascertain KCB Bank’s capabili- Since ascending to the top C-Suite ty, capacity and preparedness in managing office as MD and CEO in January climate change programs and more so, big 2013, Joshua Oigara has provided ticket projects. clear and strategic leadership that KCB Bank is proud of the efforts started in 2013 when the KCB and investment made over the years to Group launched its sustainability mainstream and entrench a sustainable business that has earned the bank this framework dubbed KCB Group recognition, the statement went on to say. Sustainability Roadmap 2013-2020 In addition, the accreditation also under- pins Kenya’s position as a leader in green finance, the statement added. he year 2020 is best remembered The fund will also enable KCB Bank as one that witnessed Covid-19 to sustainably support the country’s aspi- Pandemic unleash destructions rations, such as the Big Four Agenda focus to the economic and social fabric areas of manufacturing to support value ofT personal and corporate beings. Many creation and employment, food security, Kenyans waited with bated breath the year universal health care and affordable and coming to an end. quality low-cost housing, all under the To one bank, there is a moment call- umbrella of Vision 2030. ing for celebration. At the tail end of Since ascending to the top C-Suite 2020, news reached the local media that office as MD and CEO in January 2013, the Joshua Oigara led KCB Bank Kenya Joshua Oigara has provided clear and strategy, finance, business development, Plc had bagged a major finance deal for strategic leadership that started in 2013 Joshua is described in LinkedIn innovation and Information Technology sustainable projects from the UN backed when the KCB Group launched its sus- as a very passionate manager (IT). According to LinkedIn, Joshua is a Green Climate Fund (GCR) in essence cele- tainability framework dubbed KCB Group boasting a broad managerial solid business executive with inspiration brating green finance as a new pathway for Sustainability Roadmap 2013-2020. This experience in providing leadership and ability to lead and motivate ordinary economic growth. Strategy is anchored on four key pillars: performing staff to achieve excellence and As at December 31st 2020, KCB Bank financial, economic, social and environ- to teams and is great in strategy, world class performance. remains Kenya’s biggest by assets. As at mental sustainability. finance, business development, that date, the bank is also officially the The four pillars outline ways in which innovation and IT. Achievements first financial intermediary in East Africa KCB Group’s corporate strategy could Among the achievements of the KCB for the implementation of green financing help grow revenue, reduce costs, manage Bank under his watch is the acquisition initiatives. risks and build on its bank brand and tion and rolling out of the KCB M-Benki in of the towards The UN supported GCR is a global reputation. 2014 respectively. the end of 2019 and the partnership fund created to support efforts of emerging These included milestones such as the Joshua is described in LinkedIn as with Safaricom to offer loans through the economies and frontier markets to respond launch of KCB-MPesa and holding of the a very passionate manager boasting a mobile phone that is KCB MPesa, a game to the challenges of climate change and to first suppliers’ conference in 2015, in the broad managerial experience in provid- changer in the sector help limit or reduce their greenhouse gas back drop of establishing the KCB founda- ing leadership to teams and is great in and an innovation that was quickly

14 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 15 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

CITATION

Prudent business diversification and expansion

Business Acquisition and Restructuring

Business Sustainability

Ethics and Integrity in Business

Green Funding

Youth Employment

Sports Sponsorship and Development

replicated globally by every bank International Business Management from He won Africa investor (Ai) CEO of the and mobile phone company. Currently, the Edith Cowan University in Australia year awards for 2017. The award recog- KCB Bank boasts the largest brand net- in 2011. He completed the Advanced nizes and rewards CEOs that have shown work in the region with over 250 branches, Management Program from INSEAD commitment and sustainable development 962 ATMs and 10,102 Banking agents. France in 2010, having earlier attended the in the organizations they lead. KCB has also been a catalyst in cham- Duke University Fuqua School of Business In public service, Oigara has chaired pioning motor sports in East Africa, cul- in North California in 2006. Prior to the Energy Regulatory Authority and minating in Rally Kenya’s return to the this, he received a Bachelor of Commerce currently sits on the prestigious Vision coveted WRC status after a 19-years spell. degree from the University of Nairobi. 2030 Delivery Board. He is also the cur- Oigara joined KCB Group in November rent chairman of the Kenya Bankers 2011 from Bamburi Cement where he Joshua is described in LinkedIn Association. served as Group Financial Director and as a very passionate manager Chief Financial Officer for the East Africa Safari Rally region. boasting a broad managerial In 2021, he is keenly being watched to Joshua is a Certified Public Accountant experience in providing leadership play a strategic role in the sponsorship for of Kenya, a title he obtained from the to teams and is great in strategy, Rally Kenya, the successor of the Safari School of Accountancy, the Strathmore finance, business development, Rally during its maiden run return to the University in 1997. He obtained a Masters innovation and IT. World Rally Championship (WRC) motor- of Business Administration degree in sports calendar.

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CITATION n Kosovo in the slum area of Motor Industry Leadership handing over 1,000 litre hand washing #4 Rita Kavashe (MBS) water tanks to the community to com- Automotive Policy MD & CEO, ISUZU EAST AFRICA bat the spread of the Covid-19 virus in theI densely populated and vulnerable com- Ethics in Business munities. With Rebecca Mbithi, MD Family Corporate Governance Bank signing an asset finance partnership agreement to cushion and enable persons, Sustainable Business businesses and communities needing vehi- cles to prop up the mode of transport. Impactful CSR Presenting a sports sponsorship to mar- athon record holder and Isuzu D-Max In Public Service, Rita Kavashe is the Brand Ambassador Eliud Kipchoge to sup- current Chairperson of the Kenya Roads port and market built in Kenya products. Board and a Member of the Kenya Vision In a CSR Tree Planting activity assisted by 2030 Delivery Board. Dr Isaac Kalua, Chairman of Green Africa On 12th December 2017, Rita was Foundation to plant a tree in Muumandu World marathon record holder and Isuzu D-Max Brand Ambassador Eliud Kipchoge (L) with Isuzu EA MD Rita awarded the Moran of the Order of the Hills, Machakos County as part of Isuzu Kavashe (R) present the endorsed one-year partnership agreement at a ceremony held at Isuzu EA Plant on Burning Spear (MBS) by President Uhuru 22nd October, 2020. EA adopting 70 ha of the locality for affor- Kenyatta for exemplary service to the estation over the next ten years. country in her capacity as a business With members of the Lionesses rugby leader. team in a celebratory mood following the Rita has been mentoring young girls completion of the first phase of a CSR and women from diverse backgrounds. Livelihoods Project sponsored by Isuzu EA In November 2018, she received her cer- at the RFUEA grounds on Ngong Road, tification as an Executive Coach from the Rita Kavashe’s bubbly spirit, light-hearted- Academy of Executive Coaches (AOEC) ness and occasional full burst of laughter, is UK to strengthen her capacity coaching visibly noticeable, even with the COVID-19 Rebecca Mbithi, MD corporate leaders and executives. Family bank(L) and N95 protective face mask. Rita Kavashe MD Rita Kavashe made history in 2020 Rita joined General Motors East Africa Isuzu EA(R) present when she was appointed an indepen- (GMEA) in 1995. Prior to her current the signed asset dent director of BAT Kenya in July and position as MD, Rita has occupied senior finance partnership crowned chair of the board in October, a positions in Sales and Marketing in both agreement on 29th space of months, a testament of her high June, 2020. Kenya and South Africa. In 2010, Rita standing and integrity in walking the talk was appointed the first woman director Isuzu EA has remained dominant in (KVMA), the East African Business of good corporate governance practice in Kenya of a leading firm in the motor the Kenyan auto industry maintaining Council (EABC) and Kenya Motor Industry and excellence in board dynamics and industry when she became the Managing its top position 7 years in a row. As at Association (KMIA) as Chair. She is a long leadership, the same traits that have led Director. Since then, she has implemented November 2020, Isuzu commanded 46.5% serving Vice-Chair of the Kenya Private her into the boardrooms of many strategic best global strategies and practices that of the new commercial vehicles market Sector Alliance (KEPSA). corporations. It is probably in this space improved ISUZU’s competitiveness and segment and 39.4% of the total new vehi- where she is expected to impact the busi- gained customers in a highly competitive cles market year to date (YTD). Rita Kavashe made history in ness environment most, in addition to her commercial vehicles sector in the motor The company continues to provide 2020 when she was appointed leadership role in local commercial motor industry. This resulted in Isuzu’s market thought leadership in the industry by an independent director of BAT vehicle assembly. share rising steadily from 24.3% (in 2011) advocating for progressive government Kenya in July and crowned chair Rita received her bachelor’s degree to 39.1% in 2018. and supportive policy for the growth of in Education from Moi University in In 2017, Rita led the company through local motor assembly in order to expand of the board in October, a space 1991 and a Master’s Degree in Business a successful transition from GM East Africa the country’s manufacturing base. of months, a testament of her Administration (MBA)in Strategic to Isuzu East Africa. The process was Rita holds directorships in various high standing and integrity in Management from the University of conducted smoothly with key stakehold- companies and business associations, walking the talk of good corporate Nairobi in 2005. Rita has attended numer- ers appraised regularly on the change of including Bamburi Cement, a listed firm governance practice and excellence ous General Motors sponsored leadership shareholding, company name and overall on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, in board dynamics programs including the Harvard Business business continuity. Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Association School Leadership Program.

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through the turbulence safely with no staff layoffs, CITATION pay cuts or any form of staff downsizing. Instead, Under her leadership, Mrs. #5 Becky, as some people would like to call her, IClean Energy Advocate protected her staff like a lioness protecting her Miano has put Kenya on the cubs while not halting the company’s operations IEnergy Policy global map as the 7th largest Rebecca Miano through instituting strategic business continuity geothermal energy producer in IWorking Environment plans. (OGW MBS) Champion Under her leadership, Mrs. Miano has put the world, beating giants like Kenya on the global map as the 7th largest geo- IComparative Law Iceland and Japan, through a MD & CEO, KENYA ELECTRICITY GENERATING thermal energy producer in the world, beating COMPANY PLC well thought out diversification IEnergy Sector leadership giants like Iceland and Japan, through a well thought out diversification and expansion plan. and expansion plan. IMoral Integrity and n the wise words of Ronald Reagan, former United This has not gone unnoticed and attracted inter- Courage States of America President on his testament of a national interest and business through consultancy an estimated 600 patients a day from Nakuru and good leader, “The greatest leader is not necessarily IGlobal Diversification that has resulted in KenGen being awarded two the neighbouring counties the one who does the greatest things. He is the one Strategy geothermal drilling contracts in Ethiopia worth Rebecca Miano holds a Bachelor of Laws Ithat gets the people to do the greatest thing. “ USD 62.2 Million. (LLB) degree, a Diploma in Law and Post Graduate This is true for Rebecca Miano, a hands-on moth- In pursuit of KenGen’s geothermal-led corpo- studies in Comparative law. In 2010, she complet- er of two, a wife to a dotting husband and a leader rate strategy, Mrs. Miano has turned KenGen into ed the Advanced Management Programme from who believes in transformational leadership, employee a geothermal powerhouse in Africa, contributing . She is a registered Certified empathy, engagement and motivation at work and 706MW of geothermal electric energy installed Public Secretary of Kenya and a member of the quality undisturbed family time at home. capacity into the national grid. Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya As Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Under her stewardship, the 172MW Olkaria (ICPSK) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). (CEO) of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC V geothermal project was completed and commis- Additionally, she is a Commissioner of Oaths (since (KenGen) - a public listed company on the Nairobi sioned on time in 2019 and coming soon in 2021 2001), a Notary Public (Since 2003) and a finalist Securities Exchange (NSE) and East Africa’s largest is another 83.3MW Olkaria I unit 6 which is likely of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. electricity producer, Rebecca is the first woman to to be completed in June. Mrs Miano’s has also been feted numerous hold the position in the history of KenGen since its On the Corporate Social Responsibility front, times both locally and internationally. The most incorporation in 1954. Rebecca Miano is a very good student of Dr Jeremy notable locally being awarded two state commen- Since her historic appointment, staff engagement Awori’s School of thought: business ought to create dation for her distinguished service to the nation and morale has grown significantly, a trend that has value for all its stakeholders. In the article that in the field of Energy, Order of the Grand Warrior propelled the company’s growth in profitability, orga- is included in this issue as the last word, Jeremy of Kenya OGW and Moran of the order of the nizational efficiency and effectiveness in all spheres writes in part,’ it is imperative for leaders to act Burning Spear MBS by the President of Kenya. and spaces the company has ventured in. today in order to safeguard not only the future of Internationally, she has been awarded African Notably, as part of her unique management style, our children, but also the sustainability of the busi- Business Leadership Award as Africa Business she introduced annual corporate themes, usually nesses that we run. The solution to this lies in the Inspirational leader 2020, and made it to the 2021 launched at the beginning of each year, to rally staff principle of shared value, which advocates creating top 25 movers and shakers watchlist by the African and ensure their alignment with the realization of business value in a way that also creates value for Energy Chamber. corporate strategic plan, objectives therein and ini- both the society and the environment. In essence, Thanks to her astuteness, Rebecca sits on tiatives. This has helped to bring focus on the things businesses must reconnect company success with various Boards of international repute including that really matter in the company’s growth trajectory. social progress. ‘’ as a Board Member, World Bank Group Advisory The results have been phenomenal. For instance, Rebecca’s deep desire is to make a difference Council on Gender and Development (since June KenGen today has an installed capacity of 1,803MW, in people’s lives, and she has lived by this mantra. 2020), Board Member, UN Global Compact contributing more than 70% of the electricity con- As the chairperson of KenGen Foundation, through Network Kenya Board (Since November 2019) sumed in the country. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) she has and Member of the Gender Sector working Group Rebecca Miano’s other achievements are far offered educational scholarship to over 10,500 (GSWG) coordinated by the State Department of beyond yonder, with every move she makes having students, trained 1,066 students on life transfor- Gender, Kenya (since June 2020). that characteristic Midas touch. In the year 2019 mational skills, planted 230,000 tree seedlings and Indeed, true to her words, Rebecca Miano is alone, before COVID-19 landed on our shores, she conserved 374 acres of land. Currently, Mrs. Miano a transformational leader to watch in the global grew KenGen revenues by 1.5% from Ksh 45.3 Billion is implementing KenGen’s biggest CSR activity yet, energy space now and in the years to come, espe- in 2018 to Ksh 46 Billion, translating to Ksh 7.9 in the building of Naivasha Level 5 Hospital in cially as regards to the provision of clean, afford- Billion profit after tax. Amidst the novel COVID- 19 collaboration with Nakuru County Government to able, and reliable energy to all under the slogan pandemic in 2020, she navigated her organization a tune of Ksh 300 million, with a capacity to serve energy for the nation.

20 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 21 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

#6 Wachira Waruru MD & CEO, ROYAL MEDIA SERVICES

Association of Kenya (MOA). Wachira is Wachira chaired the inaugural stat- utory Media Council of Kenya (2007- currently one 2010) and is last two Presidential of the most Debates (2007 and 2012). influential and As the Group Managing Director of Royal Media Services (RMS), Kenya’s powerful figures leading broadcaster with a portfolio in the media that includes two television stations, landscape in 13 radio stations and digital platforms, Wachira is currently one of the most Kenya. In this influential and powerful figures in the role, he led media landscape in Kenya. In this role, the industry he led the industry in organising and hosting the largest and most glamorous in organising virtual concert of hope and commemo- and hosting ration, in honour of the COVID-19 vic- the largest and tims in 2020. The concert was dubbed The Kenya Ni Yetu. most glamorous Wachira joined Royal Media virtual concert Services (RMS) in 2007, after being of hope and head-hunted to replicate the success he had achieved in his previous role, as commemoration, the MD and CEO at Kenya’s national in honour of broadcaster, KBC. He led RMS from f there is a media executive whose media coverage across all platforms the COVID-19 fifth place in the broadcast media star is shining, it is none other in support of the fund in addition to market to first place in less than a year than Wachira Waruru. Known to airtime and print space in disseminat- victims in 2020. leveraging on local content to engage his friends as Ondiek, meaning of ing information to fight the COVID-19 the broadcast audiences. theI ‘wild’, Wachira started the year pandemic. RMS has held on to its top market with an appointment by the President On April 27, 2020, Wachira was position for ten years, at times with of Kenya to the star studded COVID- re-elected unanimously for the third over 50% of the market share. 19 Emergency Response Fund Board consecutive term, serving his last term Wachira is credited with having on March 30, 2020 where he mar- the Chairman of the influential media turned around the fortunes of the KBC, shalled more than Ksh 100 million in lobby group board, the Media Owners where, over his three-year ten-

22 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 23 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business The foundation of happiness

ure, he demonstrated that a CITATION national broadcaster could be both Wachira is credited competitive and viable, while being Local Content Development with having turned run professionally. Though he studied education Media Industry Leadership around the fortunes and trained to be a teacher, Wachira of the KBC, where, caught the journalism bug early, Arts and Culture starting his career in journalism as over his three- Leisure and Travel year tenure, he an intern in 1983 with Kenya’s fore- most political magazine, the Weekly Media in Politics demonstrated that a Review. By 1992, he had worked his way up to become the magazine’s national broadcaster With APA Insurance, you can live your life knowing Managing Editor. He went on to he increased circulation figures for could be both work for the European Commission the Standard Newspaper and view- that everything that brings you happiness is insured. competitive and Delegation to Kenya, writing weekly ership audience for KTN, for a long viable, while being and monthly reports on the country’s time Kenya’s leading news TV sta- political and economic environment. tion. run professionally Wachira was then hired by An alumnus of the famed Lenana the Standard Group to become its School, Wachira Waruru also seats Group Editorial Director, a position on the boards of Chaka Rach and he held for six years, during which, The Godown Arts Center. For more information, call us on +254 (0) 709 912 777

24 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 25 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

rvinder is a well-received and #7 respected member of the Global Toyota family with 25 years—and Arvinder Singh Reel counting—of service in various Acapacity. Currently, he is the Managing CEO CFAO AUTOMOTIVE-KENYA, MD TOYOTA KENYA Director, Toyota Kenya, and the Chief Executive Officer, CFAO Automotive— Kenya. In his role as the CFAO Automotive— Arvinder’s career Kenya CEO, Arvinder is in-charge of the automotive firms Toyota Kenya, DT Dobie progression can be and Tyre Distribution Africa Limited linked to having (TYDIA). been touted by the Kenyan Government as sales, service and spare parts for all brands his personal values In his appointment as Toyota Kenya a catalyst towards growing the contribu- within a radius of 50km. aligned with the Kaizen MD in 2017, Arvinder become the first tion of the manufacturing sector towards Prior to taking up the role as the philosophy through its Kenyan to lead the local office since Toyota the country’s GDP. Toyota Kenya MD, Arvinder was the pledge of challenging Tshusho Corporation started the Toyota Already, Toyota Kenya has led the local Managing Director, Toyota Malawi. During business in the country in 1964. Under his assembly front in the automotive sector his two-year tenure, he managed to steer one’s self to continuously leadership in a span of just under three with models such as the Land Cruiser the company to achieve market share improve everyday for years, Toyota Kenya’s market share has LC79, Hino trucks and the Yamaha Crux growth from 36 per cent to 44 per cent. personal growth and increased to the current 25 per cent from motorcycles. He moved to Malawi from his posting at business prosperity. 15 per cent. In 2019, the firm re-introduced the Toyota Tsusho Africa (Pty) Ltd. where At Toyota Kenya, Arvinder has incul- local assembly of the Hilux double and he had served as Finance Manager – cated a culture of success that is pegged single cab pick-ups, popular within the Distributor Management Department on Toyota Global’s philosophy of Kaizen. small and medium enterprise and agricul- for four years and General Manager – Kaizen, a Japanese word, translates to tural segments of the economy. Distributor Support Department for three ‘Continuous Improvement’. The expansion of Toyota Kenya’s net- years. Bringing it closer home, Arvinder work of branches, dealerships and autho- Arvinder has also served as the Finance adopted a ‘Back to the Top’ strategy as rized service centres across the country Director & Company Secretary at Toyota the bedrock for Toyota Kenya’s revival as has also contributed greatly to the growth and Finance Manager at Toyota the leading motor vehicle distributor in of market share. Under his leadership, East Africa Ltd. the country. This has seen the company, Toyota Kenya currently has grown its Arvinder started out his professional over the recent past champion the ‘Buy network to 31 outlets, with the target of career at Deloitte & Touche as an External Kenya Build Kenya’ initiative that has ensuring that customers can access Toyota Auditor before moving to Lonrho Motors East Africa. CITATION Arvinder is a member of the Institute Motor Industry Leadership of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (Local Assembly) (ICPAK). Arvinder’s career progression can Global Automotive Business be linked to having his personal val- ues aligned with the Kaizen philosophy Mergers and Acquisitions through its pledge of challenging one’s self Organization Culture and to continuously improve everyday for per- Philosophy (Kaizen) sonal growth and business prosperity. He is also a strong advocate of the living the Services Marketing ‘Toyota Kenya Way’ that ascribes to sup- porting the community through activities Customer-Centric Focus under the Toyota Kenya Foundation. Arvinder S. Reel is married with 4 Market Recovery Strategy (Back to the Top) kids and enjoys wildlife and the beaches while he is outside the confines of Toyota Kenya.

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rom Private Sector sensitiza- tion and complete engagement Not a stranger to on the national budget pro- cess, to vigorous engagement being recognized, Fwith National Treasury to facilitate the Carole was voted complete implementation of the Credit ‘Extraordinary Guarantee Scheme to support MSMEs Personality to Inspire especially in the co COVID-19 recov- the Future’ by 80% of ery. From the formation of a technical the 20,000 students of committees between KEPSA and KRA the Entrepreneurship to continuously assisting in solving the Clubs of Kenyan tax administration issues as they arise. From deeper engagement with Universities in 2012 National Treasury and concerned agencies to facilitate better business nomic and social sector levels through Chairperson, Special Economic Zones environment towards foreign and local Ministerial Stakeholder Forums. Authority, Board Member East African investments. From formation of vari- Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) maintain Cables PLC, Internet Solutions Kenya, ous task forces to engage the govern- advisory linkages with KEPSA Sector Harvard University Center for African ment and the private sectors. Chairs on a regular basis, both on pol- Studies, Board of Trustees Member, #8 From meeting important business icy formulation, implementation and United States International University– delegations wanting to thumb their monitoring. Africa (USIU-Africa), Board Member footprints and engage with Kenyan Foreign trade and industry delega- Business Advocacy Fund, Danish Carole Karuga businesses. From co-hosting important tions to diplomats to business leaders, Embassy Kenya; Ambassador, African CEO, KENYA PRIVATE SECTOR ALLIANCE local, regional and global conferences global and local, all line up on the Women in Business Initiative of the to advance business interests and cre- corridors of Shelter Afrique House Africa CEO Forum, Paris, and Council ate a conducive atmosphere for trade on Mamlaka Road, all eager to pay Member the National Council of and industry, her name is imprinted in courtesy calls on probably the most Administrative Justice (NCAJ) among CITATION: bold and referred to in whispers. influential woman in business outside others. In Presidential Round Tables government today. Not a stranger to being recog- Private-public dialogue (PRTs) to Speakers and Chief Justice Carole Kariuki holds a Bachelor nized, Carole was voted ‘Extraordinary champion Round Tables, her soft demeanour and of Arts Degree in Economics and Personality to Inspire the Future’ by warmth radiates in the air of policy Sociology from the University of 80% of the 20,000 students of the Sustainable business leadership directions, implementations and leg- Nairobi and a Master’s Degree in Public Entrepreneurship Clubs of Kenyan islative refinements. In all these, what Administration and International Universities in 2012. In November Economic environment comes from her large brain diminishes Affairs from Bowling Green State 2019, Carole was appointed to the leadership her diminutive figure. Meet Carole University, Ohio, USA. board of Global Compact Network Karuga. Caroline attended a number of Kenya (GCNK). The GCNK is designed Business Policy Formulation Ranked Second for the second time professional and technical training as a multi-stakeholder body, whose in a row by The Business Monthly in Business Policy and Advocacy, board provides ongoing strategic and Gender Empowerment magazine as one of the Top 25 CEOs Public-Private Sector Dialogue, policy advice for the initiative, which MSMEs champion in Kenya who made an impact in Global Leadership and Private Sector acts as the flagship for responsible 2020 and being watched to help shape Development from leading global business action. Board members are Tax Administration reforms and set the business agenda in 2021, institutions. She caught the KEPSA considered champions who are willing Caroline Karuga is credited with bug at the Sagamore Institute for and able to advance the mission of the Coordinating private sector transforming the Kenya Private Sector Public Policy Research, Indianapolis United Nations Global Compact. In efforts and complementing Alliance (KEPSA) from a little-known – Indiana, where she acted as a liai- January 2020, Caroline was ranked government in managing the Covid-19 Pandemic business lobby group to one of the son between KEPSA and the insti- in second place as one of the Top most influential institutions in Kenya tute before formally joining KEPSA, 25 CEOs setting the business agenda Promoting Corporate and globally. working her way up the ladder to the in Kenya in the inaugural issue of Governance Practice in Public In Kenya, KEPSA is accorded coveted CEO position. The rest, as we the BUSINESS MONTHLY magazine and Private sectors audiences at the helm of the gov- would want to say, is history. Awards, marking 25 years of publish- ernment, through Presidential Round When not at KEPSA, Carole ing. Tables and at the industry and eco- serves on several boards, including:

28 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 29 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

benefit to those covered immediately a policy is crafted, created and issued #9 and the first premium is paid. Recently retired as a non-executive independent director at Absa Bank Ashok Shah Kenya Plc (formerly Barclays Bank of Kenya), Ashok Shah preferred to GROUP CEO-APOLLO INVESTMENTS share personal thoughts on the role and effectiveness of a director, for the benefit of knowledge sharing and as his contribution to good corporate governance practice. Ashok states that, ‘Directors are bound to act with care, skill and dil- igence when exercising their duties. This is to say; they are expected to display either the same care as a rea- he Kingston University edu- sonable person would display in the cated chartered insurer con- conduct of his/ her own affairs, or that tinues to be active at Apollo degree of skill which may be reason- Investments as the Group CEO. ably expected from a person of his/ her TAshok Shah started his insurance knowledge and experience’. career in the UK working with an ‘Commitments to these expecta- CITATION different board leadership styles and insurance broker, specializing in Life tions and a Board’s acumen and good they were both great consensus build- Insurance and Home Mortgages. leadership, shapes your role in that Insurance Product Development ers,’ Ashok opines. Having come back to Kenya in board and guides you in how to be a I took on the Chair of the Credit 1975 for a short holiday, circumstanc- positive influence while adding value Reinsurance Committee on a temporary basis, with es changed making Ashok to stay through your adept preparations and the hope that a substantive member Mergers and Acquisitions on. In 1977, Apollo Insurance was contributions during board delibera- would take over. At that time, we were established and Ashok got involved in tions,’ Ashok adds. Corporate Governance mainly the corporate bank. Luckily, General Insurance and Reinsurance. Ashok served for nine years, first most of the top management had ‘I had to learn both underwriting under Barclays Bank of Kenya and Credit Risk Management immense institutional memory. Times and reinsurance of General Insurance recently, as part of the board that were changing and our thoughts as classes in order to excel in my work’ guided management as Barclays Plc Transformation Leadership directors needed to be realigned to Ashok states. exited and the bank transiting to Absa the bank’s vision too. I had to instil Keen to tell his story in his own Bank Kenya Plc. During his tenure, Corporate Re-Branding broader thinking as we needed to be a words, Ashok adds, ‘I became the CEO Ashok served under two chairmen more comprehensive Bank. Change Management of Apollo Insurance in January 1996. and two CEOs as he witnessed from Ashok adds that, ‘Little did I know In 2003 the two general businesses of the ringside board position, the bank that I will be the Credit Committee Apollo and Pan Africa were merged to transforming from a predominantly Chair for several years. The Board form APA Insurance. Apollo bought a corporate bank to one that has a members on the committee had good out Pan Africa’s share in 2010. We focus equally on retail banking and a knowledge of the marketplace. On then rebranded Apollo Life to APA customer-centric organisation culture. the other hand, the management team Life and today as a group we are ‘My nine years on the board have were experts in the relationships that one of the largest financial services been full of learnings and significance. we had built up. To grow we had to group.’ Ashok became the CEO of APA I joined a great bank and leave a look at Kenya’s character, what makes Insurance in Jan 2004 before taking greater transformed bank. In the us think’. the helm as Group CEO of Apollo nine years, I grew my knowledge and The most important ingredient Investment in Jan 2012, a position he expertise in the banking arena. The was that the management was major- continues to hold to date. management team members who I ity Kenyan. They knew the market I believe insurance is one of the worked with taught me a lot. The two like the back of their hands. Working most important products. It gives Chairmen that I served under had two to complement this was a board

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organisation by seeking information from management and complement- ing these with continuous training and development on aspects of cor- porate governance, people manage- ment, legal and financial aspects, to be able to contribute effectively in board deliberations, synthesis of issues and decision making. Directors, in particular, have to be well versed with good corpo- rate governance practices, including aspects of business ethics. For instance, the issue of conflict of interest must be clearly under- stood. Where conflict of interest arises, all to declare in advance and not participate on deliberations in that particular matter. The other important aspect is to understand the business and chang- ing circumstances. The prudential guidelines by the regulators are very strict and have to be adhered to for best practice. Directors have to be aware of these and be guided in case they are not aware or certain, includ- Directors ing on any changes or amendments. Training as directors, to be cer- Ashok Shah, Group CEO of Apollo Investments (right) and Vinod Bharatan, the CEO APA Insurance during the launch of a mobile-enabled motor insurance App on May are bound 19,2020. The company says demand for its online services has surged. to act with tain of the requirements and stan- care, skill dards that apply to the business is necessary and compulsory. In our enormous responsibilities. To the from a global to a pan-African bank and diligence case there were regular trainings My nine years on the board business, to the shareholders, to cus- brand. He states, for instance, that when and we participated in the on-go- tomers and all other stakeholders, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, exercising ing developments and application of have been full of learnings and including the employees, commu- Absa Bank Kenya continues to reg- their duties. new standards such as IFRS 9. significance. I joined a great bank nity, creditors, debtors, the govern- ister sterling performance in all key This is to As advise to those with interest and leave a greater transformed ment and the environment. That performance indicators (KPI). to be directors Ashok opines that responsibility requires that you act Ashok has been chairman of say; they are bank. In the nine years, I grew expected to directors must learn the business, in the best interest of the business the Association of Kenya Insurers display either they have oversight role in, potential my knowledge and expertise at all times. You do not allow your (AKI) 1998-2000, President of of directors that was not only needed to lend to SME’s. Jeremy areas of concern in order to manage in the banking arena. The personal interest to override that of the Rotary Club of Nairobi (2008- diversified in experiences, but equal- Awori had taken over from Adan the same or forestall risks and the hotspots the organisation. In this way, the 2009. ly consisted of astute highly skilled Mohamed in February 2013. care as a where to keep a watchful eye on. A management team members who business grows and remains sustain- Other awards in his honour and very competent men and women The bank had started the trans- reasonable director has to appreciate the fellow I worked with taught me a lot. able for the long haul, while creating include Recipient of the 1st Lifetime able to work with the management formation. As directors, we are both person would directors and management, includ- The two Chairmen that I served value for both the shareholders and Achievement award for contri- team and help in distilling their advisers and critics, to make sure display in the ing their skills and specialisation. stakeholders. bution to the insurance industry. thinking. The board had its own that we look at all the different areas conduct of A good director asks the questions under had two different board Ashok concludes by acknowledg- Under him as CEO, APA Insurance thinking which supported the man- to avoid any surprises and manage his/ her own that are worrying and ensures he/ leadership styles and they were ing the mammoth task the Jeremy has been a Recipient of European agement as new avenues and busi- risks. affairs she obtains the answers that are both great consensus builders. Awori, MD and CEO of Absa Bank Microfinance Award 2019 in recog- ness streams were being explored. All directors have to be up to satisfactory. Kenya has to steer the ship during nition for Strengthening Resilience The board was clear that we date on the areas that affect the Being a director, one carries this transformation and transition to Climate Change.

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aking over from the late Bob manufacturer in shaping a five-year strat- In Nigeria, he helped transform the Collymore and Chairman Michael egy. This included the development of an business—at a time when the country was #10 Peter Ndegwa Joseph, it goes without an iota of affordable-beer strategy which saw the cre- facing economic challenges due to declin- MD & CEO SAFARICOM PLC doubt that the performance bar has ation of Senator Keg. Senator keg has gone ing oil prices. His efforts resulted in a 40% beenT set high. on to become one of Kenya’s and Diageo’s recovery in share price. He left Nigeria for Born in Nyeri in 1969 and schooled at most iconic beer brands. It has led to a his current role in Europe in July 2018. Starehe Boys Centre, Peter Ndegwa joined strong partnership with the Kenyan gov- In his career spanning over 25 years, Safaricom on April 1 2020 straight from ernment and created a viable entry level Peter has demonstrated commitment to Diageo, a global leader in the alcoholic beer which reduces the consumption of simplification of business process and on beverages business, where he was the illicit brews, increases local raw material leadership and talent development has In his career spanning Managing Director of Continental Europe. use and boosts job creation. As a result, helped create a sustainable business for over 25 years, Peter has At Diageo, Peter’s role included over- it was recently featured in the Harvard the future. This has not only resulted in a seeing business operations in 50 countries Business Review. career decorated by new brands, but also demonstrated commitment in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as Peter has also led significant busi- winning accolades as an employer, manu- to simplification of Russia, the Middle East and North Africa ness development agendas including facturer, purchaser and investor. business process and on region. He was appointed to the role in the acquisition of Serengeti Breweries Peter has also demonstrated commit- leadership and talent July 2018, becoming the first African to Limited, a major subsidiary in Tanzania, ment to sustainable business practices. development has helped run a large business for Diageo outside and unwound a complex shareholding Beyond championing talent development, create a sustainable of Africa. structure with SAB Miller (now ABI) in he has also enabled a range and depth In his time in Continental Europe, his both Kenya and Tanzania. of investment in water and environment business for the future. energy to drive transformational change He left EABL in October 2011, start- programmes. has delivered significant results. Prior to ing an eight-year sojourn away from home Having warmed up in the top C-Suite this Peter led two of Diageo’s biggest busi- to Diageo subsidiaries Guinness Ghana office at Safaricom since April 2020, all nesses on the continent, Guinness Ghana Breweries plc and Guinness Nigeria plc eyes are on Peter as customers gear up Breweries Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc. both of which he led as CEO. to compare the services and standards At Diageo Peter has developed a repu- His commitment to investing in peo- of the juggernaut in telecommunications tation for cultivating a strong inclusive ple, introducing new brands and improv- and financial services that Safaricom has culture which has been paramount in his ing efficiency saw him grow both business grown into over the 20 years since its leadership. despite the challenges they were facing. In inception. Also, under the radar is how he He began his eleven-year career with Ghana, he led talks with the government takes leadership in the corporate world global consulting firm PwC as a consul- leading to introduction of an affordable and the social responsibility and life that tant, relocating to London, UK under the beer in the country. Bob was famous for. firm’s talent development programme in 1996. In 1999, he transitioned from the Accountancy practice to the Consulting & Corporate Finance Unit at PwC. After completing his MBA, Peter took on key CITATION assignments in corporate advisory and project management at leading European Customer Value Creation and American banks and insurance busi- nesses. New Product Development He returned to Nairobi in 2002, where he worked on several significant corporate Business Transformation advisory assignments—providing strategic transaction advice, due diligence, valu- Talent Development ation, financial planning and modelling, Environmental Conservation and significant project leadership and management—mostly in the financial ser- CSR vices sector. In 2004, Peter joined East African Sustainable Business Breweries (EABL), a Diageo subsidiary Advocacy based in Nairobi, as Strategy Director. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (centre) during the re-opening of its newly refurbished Moi Avenue retail shop In this role, he led the NSE-listed beer on December 9, 2020.

34 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 35 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

CITATION #11 Tourism Industry Policy and Leadership Mohammed Hersi Hospitality Training and Mentorship CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER, THE-POWER-OF-A-TWEET Corporate Governance Advocacy

ohammed Hersi is Chairman ‘While they say Africa is the next big thing, Governance. In the boards and institutions, E-Commerce of Kenya Tourism Federation, I always say that It is Africa’s time,’ opines MH remains a strong advocate for good the umbrella body for the tour- MH with his warm and nostalgic smile. corporate governance. MSMEs Incubation ism industry in Kenya and the A Rotarian for the past 20 years and In 2020, MH was recognized for his MGroup Director of Operations at Pollmans past president of Rotary Club of , role as a passionate and caring leader Social Media Influencer Tours & Safaris, Baobab Beach Resort & the 3rd oldest Rotary Club in Africa, MH, by being appointed by HE the President CSR Spa Diani, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa as his peers in the business leadership Uhuru Kenyatta to seat on the private and Salt Lick Safari Lodge. In these spaces, refers to him, is also known as a leading sector inspired Kenya Covid-19 Emergency MH sleeps dreams and lives tourism. He is Corporate Governance trainer for the past Fund Board, to help raise funds from the female Hotel General managers. This an optimist and strong believer in Africa. 15 years, mainly at the Centre of Corporate private sector to stem the tide of the havoc is what he has done in as many years being unleashed in the country by the as he has been in the Hotel sector of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the Covid-19 the Tourism industry: And more. disease. Every Friday on his Facebook, With 300K followers on twitter and MH hosts a virtual flea market 70K on Facebook, MH uses social media for dubbed SokoHERSI where buyers the betterment of mankind. MH has delib- and sellers interact one on one, buy- erately chosen to be an optimist and always ing and selling to each other. MH sign off “As always I choose to remain an opted to start this during the sec- optimist “. While MH raises pertinent issues ond half of 2020 to give a window that afflict society, MH does not hesitate to Kenyans to trade following the to applaud good moves that will help the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and society. cessation of movement. ‘’On my Twitter handle I helped give MH, who lives at the holiday exposure to a young man on Ngong Road resort city of Mombasa with his who soon became an internet sensation, lovely wife, three daughters and two managing to sell several pieces of his special sons, is a graduate of the Kenya Most befitting, of course, are garden seat bend cum table. It garnered a Utalii College, Cornell University the words of the Kenya Private reach of 3M and 60K Retweets’’ states MH. and Regent Business School, hold- Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Chairman, None other than Deputy President also ing degrees in Hotel Management, Nicholas (Nik) Nik Nesbitt in con- placed his order. general managers Programme and gratulating MH for his latest award The social media engagements by MH an MBA strategic management. as the 2020 Winner Most Influential continue to manifest the power of a single In the words of James Grieves Digital Leader by IAfrikan.com and tweet, leading to global recognition and Cook, a former CEO and Chairman we quote verbatim, ‘@Mohammed awards, the latest being recognised as 2020 of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), On my Twitter handle I helped Hersi fantastic recognition for how Winner Most Influential Digital Leader by Mohammed Hersi is one of the give exposure to a young thoughtfully you share and shape IAfrikan.com, a digital publication with leading players in Kenya’s tourism man on Ngong Road who insights into so much more than insights and analysis into how technology industry with many years’ experi- soon became an internet tourism. Your digital contributions impacts Africa. This followed a tweet by ence at the most senior levels. sensation, managing to sell make a big difference in the major MH sharing a WhatsApp video clip posting Mohammed continues to make several pieces of his special discourse in the country. Thank on Twitter, that earned a self-employed a positive and effective contribution garden seat bend cum table. you for always thinking and writ- Nairobi furniture maker 800 orders worth to shaping the future of the tour- ing! Keep your digital engines firing Ksh 20 million in one week. ism industry, providing strategic and It garnered a reach of 3M and away! In giving back to society, MH is mentor- operational leadership and liaising 60K Retweets Mohammed speaks fluent French, ing 20 young hotel managers, including 5 with government authorities. Somali and Swahili.

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n Dec 11 2020, the Kenya stated that despite passenger travel being Private Sector Alliance hit hard, cargo is still doing well. He (KEPSA) with support from encouraged the government to support the Kenya Airline Pilots local airlines and make it competitive for OAssociation (KALPA) led discussions them to compete with other airlines in amongst stakeholders in the aviation order to boost the economy locally and sector both in government and private find a balance on reciprocity on market sector, to explore initiatives to spur the share when doing business with interna- #12 economy and revamp the aviation sector tional airlines. that has been adversely affected by the “We need a strategy to be able to Covid-19 pandemic. continue operating and grow the busi- The high-level stakeholder engage- ness even as the pandemic continues Allan Kilavuka ment is a precursor to the National raging on within,” Capt. Nyagah said. MD & CEO - KENYA AIRWAYS PLC Aviation Conference to be held in the On his part, Kenya Airways Head first quarter of 2021. of Regulatory Affairs Dalmas Okendo The meeting brought together revealed that the national carrier was leaders from the Senate, Ministry of growing steadily. He, however, noted Transport & Infrastructure, and Kenya that Covid-19 had negatively impacted Airports Authority; together with the airline, resulting to job losses and a stakeholders from the aviation indus- drop in revenue. He also highlighted that try such as Kenya Airways, the Kenya as travels resume, the national carrier is Airline Pilots Association, and Kenya focusing on the health and safety of staff Association of Travel Agents. and clients, and network rationalization. The focus of the meeting was to start On a positive note, the CEO of Kenya a discussion on the impact of Covid-19 Tourism Federation Susan Ongalo, on the aviation industry and allied sec- revealed that domestic tourism has been tors, and come up with proposals to mit- picking up steadily after the reopening igate the adverse effect of the pandemic of domestic airspace in mid-July 2020, on these sectors. and a notable influx of foreign tourists In her remarks, KEPSA Deputy into Kenya after the resumption of inter- CEO Martha Cheruto noted that the national flights. Covid-19 pandemic had affected busi- “To boost tourism, Kenya should nesses globally with aviation industry adopt rapid testing on-site at an afford- being among the worst affected sectors. able rate and consider the further open- “We hope that from today’s delibera- ing of the skies to increase Tourism,” tions, we can delve specifically into how Ongalo said. these issues can be mitigated and what The International Air Transport policy and regulatory interventions can Association (IATA) financial outlook be introduced to cushion businesses in that was released in June 2020 estimates the sector,” she said. that revenues for airlines globally could Cheruto added that the aviation sec- fall by 50% to $419 billion from $838 tor plays a key role in economic growth billion in 2019. and development as a logistics power- According to the report, in Africa house, and revenue generator for Kenya alone, the GDP supported by aviation and the region due to its linkages with was estimated to fall by up to $35 various sectors. billion with over 3.5 million job losses Kenya Association of Airline Pilots estimated in August 2020. Locally, IATA General Secretary Capt. Murithi Nyagah estimated 223,600 jobs were at risk

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with GDP losses of up to $1.8 CITATION for resumption this year. These routes billion. will be served by onward codeshares from As Kenya celebrated 57th year Turn-around Management Air France KLM group and complement- of independence, KQ launched an ed with KQ’s ever expanding network expanded operation within Southern People Management of European carriers including Alitalia, Africa. These expanded operations British Airways, Lufthansa, and Swiss have two objectives: Customer Centric Culture International Airlines among others. Improving the KQ Freighter Kenya Airways remains a member of Prudent Financial Management profitability the SkyTeam alliance and the loyalty pro- Improving intra-Africa con- Business Process Re-Engineering gram will continue to apply on all the part- nectivity. This strengthens customer ner flights. According to the CEO, Frequent value through providing short con- New Product Development and Flyers will continue to earn and redeem necting times to and from S. Africa, Innovation miles, with Elite Plus travellers benefitting Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique from SkyPriority services. and Tanzania. Revenue Stream Diversification At the time of going to press with Present at the event were KQ’s this special awards issue, Kenya Airways CEO and MD and KQ Cargo Director. operates numerous flights a day to over The moral of this narration, is a new 46 destinations worldwide, 43 of which order of doing things at KQ, ushered are in Africa. in by the recently appointed CEO, As the Pride of Africa, KQ has repur- Allan Kilavuka. Things are starting posed two of its aircrafts, including the to look up for KQ and JKIA as an 787 Dreamliner which has been ferrying aviation hub in Eastern and Central KQ is already working closely cargo from Mombasa to UAE, to create Africa is slowly being realized. with governments around the additional space for cargo, with eyes on Allan Kilavuka took over the world and that of Kenya to taking a strategic role in the distribution helms of the national carrier, Kenya distribute the vaccines. We are of Covid-19 vaccines in Africa. Airways (KQ) on April 1 2020 after already moving a lot of cargo KQ is banking on its stature as a acting in the same capacity from on a weekly basis, about 30 well-connected airline in Africa to take the Jan 1 2020. It would appear like it vaccines to every region on the continent was only when Allan stepped in to tonnes but the flight can carry 42 using its networks and cargo routes. KQ fill the void did the KQ board notice tonnes, so there is more space prepared early for this role, even before the the gem that was right next to them per flight. vaccines were announced, by setting up a at Jambojet. Allan boasts of over 23 cold room in Nairobi at the cargo centre, years of working experience, having which can store heat sensitive products started as MD of Kenya Airways Kenya Airways Africa in May 2014, a position he KLM on the Africa-Europe route after 24 like medicines and now more so, Covid-19 subsidiary, Jambojet, in December executives pose for held until being appointed Global years, with effect from September 1, 2021, vaccines. 2018. a photo after the Operations Leader for GE Africa a partnership of which limited its options In an interview last year in Mombasa, Allan’s career started with 44th Annual General in 2015, enabling Allan return to of flying to some destinations. In this joint Allan indicated that globally, there is a Deloitte & Touche (now Deloitte) Meeting. The event Kenya, the head offices of GE Africa. route venture, KQ has been getting the shortage of aircraft with the capability to was held virtually where he initially was assigned tasks for the first time in This is where Allan was head hunted short end of the stick. transport the Covid-19 vaccines. He stated in client business support and then light of the ongoing to take the helm at Jambojet. The This development will allow the Pride then, ‘There will never be too many air- ended up in audit and advisory ser- Covid-19 pandemic rest, as they say, is history. of Africa to offer additional options and crafts or vessels to transport these vaccines vices. Shortly thereafter though, he and in compliance In 2021, Allan will be relied convenience to its consumers connecting since they are in urgent need. The vaccines was recruited by GE Africa to help with #GoK health on to rationalize the KQ routes, through the European gateways in line need to be transported in a safe environ- and safety guidance lead growth of GE in Africa. on June 26,2020. build on the cargo business and take with KQs goal of supporting the recovery ment and in the correct temperatures. KQ In 2009, Allan was requested advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine of international tourism in Kenya and has demonstrated the ability to transport to relocate to South Africa as CFO distribution logistics and be the car- connecting Africa to the World, and the cargo of this nature’. to help turn around a GE Africa rier of choice due to its extensive World to Africa, according to KQ’s CEO’s ‘’KQ is already working closely with Power Services business which was network and partnerships in Africa. statement. governments around the world and that struggling. The turnaround was suc- Allan recently announced the KQ will continue to serve the Europe of Kenya to distribute the vaccines. We are cessful. He was promoted to be mutual termination of the controver- market through its gateways of London, already moving a lot of cargo on a weekly the Commercial Finance Leader-GE sial joint venture between KQ and Paris and Amsterdam with Rome slated basis, about 30 tonnes but the flight

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can carry 42 tonnes, so there is On the local scene, KQ has intro- more space per flight,’’ Allan added. KQ has been relying duced additional revenue streams According to the CEO, cargo and put in place incentives and business is now the airline’s lifeline. on cargo flights to new products to promote domestic KQ has been relying on cargo flights stay afloat due to tourism, with reasonably well-prices to stay afloat due to the restrictions the restrictions on plane tickets. on passenger flights occasioned by The latest that ran in November the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus that passenger flights and December, 2020 dubbed ‘Every causes the Covid-19 disease, which occasioned by the family needs a break’, was extremely has gravely paralysed the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 successful due to the amazing family travel, tourism and aviation sectors. discounts on plane tickets that was The ongoing restructuring virus that causes the on offer. This promotion allowed include KQ replacing a number of Covid-19 disease, travel anytime until March 31, 2021. staff that came from the European which has gravely With these transformative deci- Airline, including the Chief sions, products, customer value cre- Operations Officer, replacing them paralysed the global ation and a hands-on leadership with suitable and qualified Kenyans, travel, tourism and by Allan Kilavuka, KQ is poised in readiness to the airline operating aviation sectors. to take off to the skies, this time as a fully state-owned enterprise sustainably as indeed the Pride of (SOE). Africa.

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#13 Andrew Mutuma MD & CEO - DHL EXPRESS KENYA

ogistics Companies have played which we have to adhere to strict instruc- not only a critical but an essen- tions and timelines that include pick-ups tial role, during this Covid-19 pan- and deliveries. demic. Whether delivering essential We are therefore well prepared for the LPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) shift in demand, particularly, owing to the around the world or supporting small- and many requests of getting personal protec- medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they tion equipment available to health workers, adapt their business operations, the logis- and also the general populace, to ensure the tics sector has helped ensure the global effective implementation and observance flow of goods and has provided an essential of the strict health guidelines provided service for our society during this unique by both the World Health Organization time in our history. (WHO), and the Government of Kenya. Now more than ever, the pandemic The safety of our employees and cus- has highlighted this need for connection, tomers has been of utmost importance and underlining our reliance and dependence continues to remain paramount. In order on technology to keep the economy mov- to closely monitor and manage the Corona ing. It has also demanded agility and, with SAR-2 virus outbreak, a Deutsche Post over 40 years of experience in implement- DHL Group task force was established, led ing contingency plans in Kenya since its by the Group’s CEO Frank Appel who sits establishment, DHL Express Kenya has in the global office based in Germany. The been able to respond quickly, making the Group’s task force coordinates with inter- necessary adjustments to minimise impact national organizations (such as the WHO, to our customers. CDC, ECDC and Robert Koch Institute) I could not have envisaged the number and provides the necessary information to of challenges that we would face. However, all employees and relevant operations in our staff in the organization have demon- the regions and countries we operate. strated their resilience and have remained One of the major challenges that we very positive during this season. Without faced, was the Commercial flights being CITATION them, we would not have had the business halted and which are a critical part of our Global Branding continuity we have experienced throughout operations in ensuring a continuous supply the year. They have been sure and steadfast, chain. However, this was countered by the International Marketing and I am proud to be their colleague as fact that DHL Express are the only logis- we have remained dependable and in the tics company operating own flights out of Team Leadership frontline during this pandemic. Indeed, Africa, with 14 dedicated aircrafts in stra- teamwork is dream work. tegic locations within Africa. E-Commerce DHL Express Kenya works in an As in 2020 and more so, now in environment where there is constant dis- 2021, this comes in handy when access Logistics semination and flow of information and to commercial flights is significantly Brand Equity Management additionally, a labour intensive operational reduced or non-existent in some countries. environment. Our work in ensuring optimal Consequently, we will use these flights deliveries is guided by strict timelines in to add more routes and more rota-

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tions where absolutely no cargo capacity is available or where air- DHL priority remains the lines will not be operating at all. customers in ensuring DHL priority remains the cus- that they have a reliable tomers in ensuring that they have a reliable service and great customer service and great customer experience. If a customer’s shipment experience. If a customer’s is, for instance, rerouted or the deliv- shipment is, for instance, ery is subject to a delay due to the rerouted or the delivery is Covid-19 pandemic, we work closely subject to a delay due to with our customer to determine the the Covid-19 pandemic, best course of action for any affected we work closely with our shipments. customer to determine the DHL Express has also initiat- ed dedicated charter flights from best course of action for Bahrain into Johannesburg and also any affected shipments. created a new routing for material from Asia and Europe via Bahrain and Nairobi to move material to and tries and 220 countries globally has road freight platform for shippers from Southern Africa in the initial seen its business more than dou- and transport providers along the lock down period in South Africa ble benefiting from an increase in Northern Corridor. where there was virtually no com- e-commerce business as a result of The service is available for cargo mercial cargo capacity available. As a boom in online shopping during movement within Kenya as well as to a result, we implemented contingen- lock-downs. and from its neighbouring countries cy planning to mitigate any impact Kenya imports a wide range of of Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, and to our customer’s consignments. goods from China and other coun- South Sudan which mostly depend In Kenya, we are currently using tries with electronics like mobile on the port of Mombasa for their a Boeing 767- 300, with a capacity phones topping shipment orders that imports and exports. of 56 tonnes. It operates daily from also include clothing, kitchenware, Persistent, tenacious, focused Bahrain. furniture, machinery, optical and and value driven are some of the If recovery from this pandemic medical equipment. words that can best describe Andrew offers an opportunity to reset our Mutuma admits that the wind- Mutuma, who sits at the helm of the ways of working, this would be an fall from Covid-19 is not certainly Kenya operations. opportune time to bring the essential permanent, hence the firm is looking As a recommendation for his role of logistics to the forefront of ahead by laying down strategies to appointment to the position in 2015, everyone’s minds. Without the agili- For DHL our ensure it continues to thrive beyond former DHL’s Managing Director for ty, flexibility and efficiency of essen- operations the medium term. These include dig- sub-Saharan Africa Charles Brewer tial service providers, we would be have begun itizing its processes and enhancing stated that ‘’Mutuma’s wealth of facing a radically different situation turnaround times for deliveries. experience in general management, in terms of supporting those who to run “Covid-19 pandemic is not forev- sales and marketing would be a need it most. “For DHL our opera- smoothly. er. You have to strike that balance in great asset to DHL Express and I tions have begun to run smoothly. Essentially terms of what we need now and we am confident that Mutuma will move Essentially our business has contin- our business go to normal services,” he says. the DHL brand to new heights in ued to grow stronger in this Covid- has Mutuma adds the rise of e-com- the Kenyan market.’’ Brewer’s words 19 pandemic period,” Mutuma notes. continued merce and increased competition are have since come to fruition. Despite the easing of trav- to grow driving demand for real-time supply In the five and a half years that el restrictions in several countries, stronger chain visibility, which is the reason he has held the position, Mutuma most airlines are running a fraction DHL is investing in the technology. has registered growth of cash flow of their usual routes and the industry in this “What we are doing is to focus more by 2,000% in 4 years, met and does not expect to return to pre-pan- Covid-19 on digitalization,” he says. surpassed Earnings Before Interests demic levels until at least 2023. pandemic In April, digital freight forward- and Taxes (EBIT) four years in a Mutuma, however, says the firm period. er, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post row and is optimistic about what the which operates in 52 African coun- DHL Express launched a new digital future abounds.

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#14

Dr Githinji Gitahi he Covid-19 pandem- GROUP CEO AMREF HEALTH AFRICA ic docked on the Kenya shores early March 2020. Since then, the scourge has inflicted enormous strain Dr Gitahi is on the economic and social fab- currently one Tric of the Kenyan nation, expos- of the most ing long-standing albeit very well- distinguished known gaps and lapses in health thought leaders coverage in the country. The situation has been exac- in the healthcare erbated by a dearth in accurate industry information and an honest sharing and policy, of knowledge already in the realm of a space he leading media space and respected demonstrated medical and health journals. his acumen and One person who has clearly led from the front in sharing facts and vision since giving timely, honest and often cou- the advent of rageous information to help manage the Covid-19 and contain the Covid-19 Pandemic, pandemic. is Dr Githinji Gitahi. Dr Githinji Gitahi is the Group Chief Executive Officer at AMREF Health Africa since June 2015, hav- ing joined them from Smile Train, where Dr Gitahi was Vice-president. Amref Health Africa, founded in insurance and media, Dr Gitahi CITATION 1957, is the largest Africa-led inter- is currently one of the most dis- national organization, reaching more Pro-poor UHC Advocacy tinguished thought leaders in the than 11 million people each year healthcare industry and policy, a through 150 health-focused projects Thought Leadership in space he demonstrated his acumen across 35 countries. Healthcare Industry and Policy and vision since the advent of the A graduate of University of Covid-19 pandemic. Non-Profit Management Nairobi with a Bachelor of Medicine, Dr Gitahi is also recognized Bachelor of Surgery MBBS 1990- this year for his contribution to the Knowledge Sharing and 1996, Dr Gitahi also holds a Master Dissemination healthcare society welfare through of Business Administration (MBA) 50 tips he shared with the world, as degree in Marketing Management Global Organisation his contribution to society, having from the United States International Management and Marketing turned 50 in 2020. University-Africa. He then read A passionate advocate for pro- CSR Strategic Perspectives for Non-Profit poor Universal Health Coverage, Management in 2016 at Havard Githinji Gitahi also served as Public Services Sustainability University. General Manager for Marketing and In addition to demonstrating Circulation in East Africa for the strong leadership traits in health, Nation Media Group.

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CITATION

In addition to demonstrating strong leadership traits in health, insurance and media, Dr Gitahi is currently one of the most distinguished thought leaders in the healthcare industry and policy, a space he demonstrated his acumen and vision since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He held progressively senior posi- tions at GlaxoSmithKline and worked at the Avenue Group. Dr Gitahi is co-Chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee, a global World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) initiative for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He serves on a number of Boards, nota- bly - Board of Directors of The Standard Group in Kenya, Board of Trustees of Safaricom Foundation and Governing Board of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and prevention (Africa CDC). In December 2018, Dr Gitahi was bestowed the ‘Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear’ (MBS) award by the President of Kenya in recognition of his outstanding contribution and commitment to the health sector in Kenya.

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strated history of working in the insurance industry. Peter is skilled #15 in negotiation, marketing develop- Despite being the ment and management, new product founder, Peter leads innovation and development. He has the management Peter Nduati a knack for business planning, great CEO & FOUNDER-RESOLUTION GROUP in analytical skills, and operations team in effecting the management. resolutions of the Peter graduated with an BA board of directors (Honours) degree in Economics from the Panjab University in and where applicable 1988, followed by an MA degree in the various board Insurance in 1991 from the North committees’ decisions East College in the UK. He then obtained the ACII professional while ensuring that qualification in 1992 with a focus the Chairman is in insurance from the Chartered alerted to forthcoming Insurance Institute in the UK. Peter founded Resolution Health complex, contentious Insurance and soon broadened into or sensitive issues ccording to one of the most general business following invest- affecting the Group of respected journalists with ment of ADC (African Development Bloomberg, Rama Nyang, Corporation) and subsequently by which the Chairman Peter’s handling of Resolution Leapfrog Investments during a pro- may not be privy to. Health EA ltd, during its cess of partial divestiture, where he inception, to date as Resolution Group, is leading the executive management Ais a story of Kenyan entrepreneurship team of the business, while remain- and creativity, a rare feat in an industry ing consistent with the strategy and with a negative image and an unparal- commercial objectives agreed by a leled cut throat competition, and one professional board of directors that that has witnessed numerous corpo- he helped establish. CITATION Through this clarity, Resolution has rate failures. On this basis alone, Peter Despite being the founder, Peter a strong presence in Tanzania and Nduati and Resolution Insurance stand leads the management team in Integrity in Business Uganda but exited South Sudan out: but there’s more. effecting the resolutions of the board recently. According to journalist Nyang of directors and where applicable the Corporate Governance In delivering the Group’s strategic Practices posting on LinkedIn, Innovation in various board committees’ decisions and commercial objectives, Peter is Management is one of Peter’s traits. while ensuring that the Chairman is Quality and Innovation in responsible for the maintenance and Nyang writes that Peter has a knack for alerted to forthcoming complex, con- Insurance protection of the reputation and the spotting and developing talent. tentious or sensitive issues affecting brand equity of Resolution Insurance For many clients, including this writ- the Group of which the Chairman Business and Product Group and its subsidiaries. er who insures with resolution, Product may not be privy to. Diversification Peter Nduati is the owner of Pine Development, Client Service and more Peter’s style is working with the Creek Records, Chairman of True Blaq Business Mergers and importantly, communication with his individual operating companies, for Acquisitions Group, Chairman of TB Distributors, various audiences makes Resolution so researching, proposing and develop- Director of Live Eye Ltd, CEO of much more than just another medical ing the Group’s strategy and overall Strategic Alliances and Resolution Health since 2002 to 2012 and now general insurance provider commercial objectives, in close con- Partnerships when he rose to the rank of Group CEO and Peter, more than just another CEO. sultation with the Chairman and of the Resolution Insurance Group. Peter Nduati is an experienced the Board. This includes expansion, Well thought-out Regional Peter Nduati is also a Fellow of the Expansion Chief Executive Officer with a demon- diversification and exit strategies. Aspen Leadership Global Network.

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#16 Peter Njonjo CEO & CO-FOUNDER-TWIGA FOODS

n an article titled ‘Addressing Africa’s food sup- the break of dawn to get a head start on liaising ply challenge’ published on October 28, 2019, with brokers (middlemen) who source directly from Super marketer and ICTechpreneur, Peter Njonjo farmers and sell to vendors. There is often no stan- posits that, ‘If you visit most African cities, you’re dardized pricing so vendors have to negotiate the boundI to notice at least two things - the unmissable best deal they can on the day. Once that deal is sight of informal retailers that line the streets and negotiated, they then have to find and pay someone marketplaces and the abundance of arable land that to transport they goods to their stall. In many cases, the continent is blessed with.’ vendors source their goods from multiple brokers Peter adds that, ‘despite the presence of these two which means they have to repeat this process repeat- things, food production and distribution remains a edly. challenge across the continent.’ This fragmented marketplace inevitably leads Working Peter penned this article, also published on to increased costs for vendors which is then passed with our LinkedIn in an attempt to outline the problem that on to consumers. As a result, spending on food in Twiga Foods is attempting at solving and why the sub-Saharan countries are substantially higher than investment recent investment led by Goldman Sachs really helps in other parts of the world. For example, according to partners, we the company position itself to being part of the solu- World Bank Data, 55 percent of disposable income continue to tion to the Food Security challenge in Africa. in Kenya and 60 percent in Nigeria is spent on food, tackle the Peter states that most of the consumer spending compared to 8 percent in the UK. challenges in Africa happens in informal, roadside markets, Peter then delves in the art and science of using of food even in those countries with the most well-developed technology to accelerate innovation and development insecurity retail and distribution markets. ‘The informal nature in addressing the challenges of food production and by using of their businesses makes it difficult to ascertain the distribution in Africa with the ambition of re-engi- exact value of the sector but World Bank estimates neering the informal retail sector, hence co-founding technology have suggested that this will be worth $1Trn by Twiga Foods in 2014. to develop 2030. For many people, these vendors are the main In achieving this, Twiga Foods are using a mobile- commercial channel by which they access the food and drink based, cashless platform to aggregate the demand of solutions they consume. However, a fragmented market mean thousands of small and medium-sized retailers in and work vendors are left to do most of the legwork which Kenya, enabling them to order fresh and processed with existing inadvertently impacts their business performance,’ food, as and when needed. As a result, farmers and industry adds Peter. food manufacturers have guaranteed access to a players to With a clarity and focussed mind, Peter states fairly-priced, transparent, mobile marketplace and that the African continent has some of the most ideal retailers can consistently source lower-cost, high- deliver better conditions for food production in the world and that er-quality produce, which is conveniently delivered quality and according to Mckinsey, Africa has around 600 mil- to their doorstep within 18 hours of ordering. lower cost lion hectares of uncultivated arable land, roughly 60 By aggregating a fragmented retail space, Twiga food. percent of the global total. Of the land that is being Foods enables the creation of an efficient domestic used, outdated techniques and poor material han- agricultural production industry, while generating dling means farmers are not getting the maximum incremental value for all market participants. The dividends from the efforts. CEO and Co-founder of Twiga Foods adds that, ‘Our In understanding how the challenge affects farm- proprietary technology aggregates tens of thousands ers and vendors, Peter gives the following picture: of retailers onto one platform. This then creates – for ‘If you take the average vendor in Nairobi as an the first time ever – a volume market for efficiently example, their day often involves waking up before produced domestic crops, with lower farm-

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CITATION

Business Disruption

Executive Leadership

Business Process Re-engineering

Global Business Marketing

E-Commerce and Innovation

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances

Business Shared Value Creation

gate prices and reliability that Jumia Kenya CEO Africa, with 18 of those being with Currently, Peter is a Board mem- enables farm financing for the first Sam Chappatte (left) The Coca-Cola Company. His major ber of The Jim McFie Education and Twiga Foods time at scale’. CEO Peter Njonjo strengths and experience include Fund, American Business Council In order to realize this mammoth when they signed a Mergers and Acquisitions, Route in Nigeria, Member of the Africa task, Twiga Foods working with stra- partnership for food to Market Development, Talent Leadership Network (ALN) and tegic partners to make things hap- distribution that will Development and Building High Young Presidents Organization pen. According to Peter, this is why enable customers Performing Organizations. (YPO). to shop for fresh the latest round of funding ($30 mil- produce affordably Peter has been voted among the In 2021, Twiga Foods is build- lion led by Goldman Sachs) is vital- on the Jumia top 100 Young Leaders in Africa by ing on an exciting partnership with ly important. The new funding has platform. Forbes Afrique, top 40 under 40 for Britam to provide a business inter- been invested in acquiring technol- 3 years in a row by The Business ruption insurance cover dubbed ogy and equipment, developing an Daily in Kenya. In 2020, Peter was SokoAFYA which will protect small efficient logistics network and laying recognised among the top 50 African retailers against income loss in the the foundation to expand into other Disruptors by the Africa Report in event of hospitalization, making the cities within and outside Kenya. 2020. sector more resilient. This investment enables Twiga He is a Former President of the Twiga Foods is also riding a Foods to leverage technology in solv- American Chamber of Commerce wave with the launch of Twiga ESOP ing the challenge of inefficient food in Kenya and the United States program, where 156 associates and production and distribution across International University-Africa future Managers in the company Africa, a $300bn market that is Council in Kenya. will receive options of up to 10% estimated to grow to $1trn by 2030. of the exit value, as part of the ‘Working with our investment part- firm’s implementation and belief in ners, we continue to tackle the chal- creating shared value for all the lenges of food insecurity by using stakeholders. technology to develop commercial Peter Njonjo is an accomplished Peter has read Accounting and solutions and work with existing business leader with over 20 years Finance at the Strathmore Business industry players to deliver better of experience across sub-Saharan School,International Business quality and lower cost food,’ adds Administration at the USIU-A grad- Peter. Africa, with 18 of those being with uating with a BSc degree. Peter Njonjo is an accomplished The Coca-Cola Company. He attended the Executive business leader with over 20 years Leadership Program at the elite of experience across sub-Saharan Havard Business School.

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#17 loss-making tide and change the for- tunes of this utility juggernaut and one of the country’s strategic assets Vivienne and economic enabler. Among the priority areas already Yeda identified by Vivienne is inculcating an integrity culture, practising good MD & CEO - EADB corporate governance and re-engi- neering the organizational perfor- mance management structures to help move Kenya Power back to fter the release of the unau- profitability. dited financial results for the Offering customers, the level of period to June 2020 issued by service desired, including access to Treasury indicating that The power through efficient and prompt AKenya Power & Lighting Company connectivity, improve reliability by Plc had sank into a loss of Sh2.98 reducing outages to the bare mini- billion, Vivienne Yeda was part of the mum and value driven and prompt non-executive directors appointed billing are all on Vivienne’s menu. to help turn around the fortunes of Talking to Vivienne on the side- Kenya’s sole power distributor (also lines of her historic ascension to the branded as Kenya Power). helm of Kenya Power, Vivienne hint- During the 43rd Annual General ed that it is a privilege to serve her Meeting (AGM) held on November country, and this she will do with rel- State is employing to help the com- 13, 2020, the UK trained scholar, ish as she looks forward to making pany find a firm footing as well as banker and attorney, Vivienne Yeda strategic impact and a difference in Since the new board’s prudence in debt collection espe- was elected the Chair, breaking the the life of the consumers both large appointment, Kenya Power cially from other State departments, glass barrier by becoming the first and small, business and domestic, government agencies, state owned woman to hold fort at this strategic urban or rural. has since July this year enterprises (SOEs) and county gov- utility firm, as Chairman. The board, under Vivienne will connected 140,000 new ernments. For those in the know, this also target to grow revenue by customers against a target of Vivienne is up to the task, as appointment is no surprise. Vivienne enhancement of revenue protection 125,000 despite the Covid-19 board chair at Kenya Power, hav- Yeda is the director general of the measures and supporting demand pandemic, which had slowed ing helped structure management East Africa Development Bank growth for customers through ratio- down activities of the firms turn around and development finan- (EADB) a position she has success- nalized tariffs, she says. The new due to the lockdowns and the cial packages that have supported fully held since January 15, 2009. structure, if the firm has its way, need for social distancing. some of the best companies in the Vivienne Yeda was on the board of might see low-income households East Africa region, which have since the (CBK) pay more for power to support the become blue chips in agriculture, from 2011 to 2015. cost of distribution. manufacturing, education, bank- Prior to her appointment as Since the new board’s appoint- streams, including solar and working ing, transport and communications, the CEO at EADB, Vivienne was ment, Kenya Power has since with county governments through among other sectors. Resident Representative and July this year connected 140,000 a county-focussed business model, At EADB, Vivienne’s great- Country Manager-Zambia at the new customers against a target to make each a regional increased est challenges include mobilising Africa Development Bank Group of 125,000 despite the Covid-19 revenue and profit centre in order to financial resources from outside (ADB). pandemic, which had slowed down stem the tide of loss making. East Africa for long-term financ- It is on the broad but sure shoul- activities of the firms due to the The new board will also follow ing of public and private sector ders of Vivienne Yeda that the coun- lockdowns and the need for social up on the Government’s extension of development and turn-key projects try, customers and shareholders of distancing. a moratorium on concessional loans in the member states. Under her, Kenya Power will rest while seeking She is also looking forward it had procured on behalf of Kenya EADB strategically leverages EADB a turnaround strategy to turn the to introducing additional revenue Power, as among the initiatives the resources in conjunction with

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other multilateral internation- al financial institutions and funnel- ling global capital for the benefit of the East African region. At the time of her appointment as CEO, the EADB had been a loss-making financial institution that had not made any profits since the early eighties. Thanks to her dexterity and organisational abilities, the EADB has, since her appointment, made profits, is now rated Baa3 stable by Moodys. EADB is only one of eight institutions in Africa that is rated investment grade. EADB has developed flagship projects for sustainable development in the agriculture value chain and have more than 5000 SME projects in Kenya and Uganda. The Bank also supports the train- ing of doctors and teachers through its CSR programmes. METAF is an annual regional training programme for doctors in government hospitals CITATION to undergo training in neurology and At EADB, Vivienne’s greatest oncology which has trained more challenges include mobilising Finance and Investment than 400 doctors since inception. International Economic Law EADB is the only East African financial resources from outside development bank. Its mandate is to East Africa for long-term financing MNC Development Law support development in the region of public and private sector where other DFIs or banks mandate International Finance Law extend beyond East Africa. EADB development and turn-key projects is 47 years old and has a long track in the member states. Economics of Development record and experience in supporting various sectors within East Africa. skills training, convening activities, Not known to most people is Recently, our corporate resur- partner engagement and research. that Ms Yeda is a scholar. She holds gence was recognised by the institu- While presenting the awards, the two Masters degrees from lead- tional ranking of EADB as the best former Chief of Staff at the African ing global universities: Master’s in in Africa, preceded only by Afrexim Development Bank said that the International Finance and Law (UCL): Bank, with Vivienne Yeda named the EADB had invested in successful (International Economic Law and Africa-America Institute’s Business companies, boosting the region’s Multinational Enterprises and the Law Leader 2014 at an awards ceremo- economic growth. “Today, East -The London School of Economics ny held in New York. Ms Yeda was Africa is among the fastest growing and Political Science (LSE), Finance awarded for her contributions in regions in the world. A great deal of and Investment in emerging mar- development banking, finance and this success is due to efforts made by kets-Law and Development- SOAS business in Africa for over 20 years. individuals like Vivienne”. University of London) and an MBA The AAI is a US-based interna- Vivienne also won a second (Edith Cowan University). tional education and policy organ- award, African Banker of the Year Locally, she holds a Bachelor’s isation dedicated to strengthening Award having been named African degree in Law (LL. B) from the the human capacity of Africans and Banker of the Year at the African University of Nairobi and a Diploma promoting the continent’s develop- Development Bank annual meetings in Law from the Kenya School of ment through higher education and held in Kigali, Rwanda. law.

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tation of the Kenya brand and to members in a bid to build authority es decision making. strengthen the institutional capacity in the export sector. His prowess was horned in dif- of the agency to deliver on its man- At 46- years, Dr. Marube wears ferent organizations that he has date. many hats; leading a parastatal, served in various capacities to He believes that the agency can leading a member organisation, in advance excellence in public rela- contribute to growing exports by academia, a parent, a gym enthusi- tions including Head of Public 6.5% every year (KES. 60-70 billion ast, and a seasoned public servant Relations and Communications at annually). He has thus recognized who has worked in the public service the Office of Auditor General and the need to develop and diversify all his professional life. previously served in similar capacity export products and markets that As the current President of at the Nairobi City Council. has led to the development of an Public Relations Society of Kenya He has been involved in strategy integrated export market identifica- (PRSK), a member of the Global development and review exercises tion and prioritization framework Alliance for Public Relations and for public institutions and played a that will enable direct resources Communication Management Board, vital role on the development of a towards markets that portend higher Dr. Marube believes that public rela- nationwide capacity building pro- returns for the country. As such, 19 tions is an important management gramme for media workers and led key products and 22 export markets function that goes beyond media the team to development of a hand- have been identified as a focus in relations and protocol to leadership book on media reporting on audit 2021. and powerful advocacy that influenc- findings. KEPBA being a marketing agen- He has also been in involved in cy with a huge mandate, cannot communication policy development achieve its mandate without col- At 46- years, Dr. and was among the team that devel- laborations. “We see ourselves as Marube wears many oped the draft Institute of Public enablers and have had engagements hats; leading a Relations and Communication in areas of mutual interest with key Management Bill that seeks to reg- stakeholders and partners. We want parastatal, leading a ulate the public relations and com- to hunt as a pack and are, therefore, member organisation, munication management practice in keen to partner with all trade pro- in academia, a parent, Kenya. motion organisations such as Kenya Dr Marube has also developed Tourism Board, Kenya Association of a gym enthusiast, and reviewed communication strat- Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector and a seasoned egies for public institutions. He Alliance, Kenya Flower Council and public servant who is a qualified trainer and has lec- Avocado Society of Kenya”. tured at the Strathmore University, Dr. Marube’s key approach is has worked in the Strathmore Business School and has summarized in what he refers to public service all his trained for but to name a few, Kenya as RE-VI-DO (Relevance, Visibility professional life. School of Monetary Studies, Kenya and Dominance) a mantra he is School of Law, Chartered Institute of inculcating as a reflection to his staff Public Relations, and AFROSAI-E in Pretoria, South Africa. He is a graduate of Moi University (Bachelor’s and PhD pro- r. Wilfred Marube is a Dr Marube’s vision is to see Kenya grammes) and Egerton University #18 focused and highly moti- having grown its exports beyond 25 (Masters) and regularly contributes vated practitioner and percent annually, as reflected in the articles in the media on the area of researcher in the field of 3-year strategic plan that the institu- communication and public relations. Dr Wilfred Dcommunications management. tion has put in place. Having the responsibility of lead- He has made tremendous con- The agency’s strategic plan seeks ing the mandates previously handled tribution to the public relations to develop, diversify and brand by two separate state agencies, all Marube industry. As the new CEO of Kenya Kenya’s export products; to develop eyes are on Dr Marube to realize CEO KENYA EXPORT PROMOTION Export Promotion and Branding and diversify Kenya’s export mar- Brand.ke vision and aspirations in AND BRANDING AGENCY Agency (KEPBA) since June 2020, kets; to manage image and repu- the years to come and leverage these in support of the country’s business and its people.

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ane Karuku, who has been a member of the EABL Board #19 and Managing Director for KBL since September 2013, has been appointedJ the MD of EABL from Jane Karuku January 1 2021, replacing replace CITATION Andrew Cowan who will remain MD & CEO - EABL a member of the EABL Board, in Global Marketing addition to taking up a new role in Diageo’s global business as MD for Brand Equity Management Africa Regional Markets. CSR Jane is the Chairman of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board. National Leadership Jane also chairs the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Board Fund Raising appointed on March 30, 2020 by HE President Uhuru Kenyatta, with the principal objective to mobilise resourc- Karuku has served on girls through education. es for the emergency response towards several boards including Mrs. Karuku holds a Bachelor of containing the spread, effects, and Barclays Bank of Science Degree in Food Science and impact of the SARS- CoV-2 virus that Technology from the University of leads to the Covid-19 disease. Kenya, now rebranded Nairobi and an MBA in Marketing Karuku is a dynamic business to Absa Bank Kenya from the National University US-in leader, with strong management, mar- Plc and is currently a California. keting and global branding experience Her role on KBL is set to be taken spanning over 25 years. Trustee of Precious over by John Musunga who joins from Announcing the appointment, Sisters, an organisation GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where he EABL board chairman Martin Oduor- that empowers bright headed the firm’s vaccine business in Otieno said they are delighted to have sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in his most Jane take over the role. ‘’I am very and underprivileged recent appointment. confident that her depth of expertise girls through education. On December 12, 2020 HE Uhuru and knowledge of the business will Muigai Kenyatta CGH, The President lead the Group to future growth in line and Commander of the Defence Forces with our strategy,” Oduor-Otieno said. organisations including Cadbury’s of Kenya, conferred on Jane Wambui Prior to joining KBL, she was the East & Central Africa as Managing Karuku, the award and honour of President of the Alliance for a Green Director before joining Telkom Kenya, the Moran of the Order of the Golden Revolution in Africa (AGRA), where as Deputy Chief Executive. Heart of Kenya (MGH) in recognition she was responsible for one of Africa’s Karuku has served on several of her distinguished and outstanding largest grant-making organisations boards including Barclays Bank of service rendered to the nation in her in the food security and agricultural Kenya, now rebranded to Absa Bank various capacity and responsibilities development sector. Kenya Plc and is currently a Trustee of especially in her sterling leadership Previously, she has held a host Precious Sisters, an organisation that of the Covid-19 Emergency Response of senior positions in various other empowers bright and underprivileged Fund Boards.

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CITATION #20 MSMEs Champion Business Process Re-Engineering Rebecca Mbithi Customer Centric Management MD & CEO - FAMILY BANK OF KENYA Corporate Culture Re-Engineering

Industry Leadership

People Management o confirm her place as the Queen of business in light of our current tough oper- the Banking industry, by growth in ating environment amidst the COVID-19 financials and customer numbers, pandemic. Going forward, for our business Family Bank under Rebecca closed outlook, we remain focused on driving a theT 2019-2020 riding a wave: differentiated customer experience driven I have been • Family Bank has posted a 63.6 per cent by a deeper understanding of our custom- part of the instance, hardly a year into the job, Family increase in its profit before tax for the ers, automation and digitization of our transformation Bank registered an historic and mind-bog- Group through the first six months of processes, of which 80% of our transac- journey for the gling growth in profitability of 300% in 2020 to Sh 852.1 million, up from Sh tions are on the digital platform anchored the first three quarters of 2019, reflecting 520.9 million registered in a similar on simplicity and personalized service as bank having a huge jump from similar period in 2018. period of 2019. we continue to cushion businesses, espe- been part of The bank’s notable growth in the • The growth is attributed to increase in cially the MSMEs, through the emerging the Family period is attributed to aggressive deposit net interest income hugely from loans pressures,” adds Ms Mbithi. Bank’s senior taking and on-lending to micro, small and and advances and income from govern- During this pandemic, the Bank offered management medium enterprises (MSMEs) that was ment securities. relief and extension of loans to customers team for four against the weighted risk of a rate cap • The total operating income grew by at no extra cost in order to cushion our years. environment. Customer deposits grew by a 17.6 per cent to Sh 4.2 billion during customers from the adverse effects of this substantive 26 percent to Ksh.60.2 billion this period compared to Sh 3.6 billion pandemic. as net loans and advances kept pace at 11 last year. Non-funded income slightly Family Bank has restructured loans percent to grow to Ksh.49.3 billion. decreased by 1.4 per cent to Sh 1.3 worth Sh 15Billion and provisioned “Our aggression in deposit taking was billion. Sh.464M for bad debt due to Covid-19 targeted at institutions, county govern- • Family Bank saw an expansion of its bal- during the first half of the year. It has also ments, NGO’s, corporate and SME cus- ance sheet in the period as its loan book waived all charges for balance inquiries tomers as we arrived at an optimum grew by 17.5 per cent to Sh 54.9 billion and money transfers between account and deposit mix,” CEO Rebecca Mbithi says while customer deposits increased by mobile money wallets. in a corporate newsletter available on the 23.5 per cent to Sh 66.7 billion. Net “We recognize that the Covid-19 pan- bank’s website. In the same report, ‘Family interest income in the period rose by demic has resulted in difficult operating Bank’s net interest income rose by 16.1 28.5 per cent to Sh 2.9 billion from Sh environments. As a result, as part of our percent to Ksh.3.6 billion anchored on 2.3 billion last year backed by lending strategy to build a sustainable business, a flat Ksh.1.2 billion interest expense to and additional investments in govern- the Bank continues to work with the depositing customers and a fall in other ment securities. County Governments to assist vulnerable interest expenses. • Total assets grew by 19.7 per cent to groups affected by the pandemic. So far, Investments in digital continued to Sh 86.9 billion compared to Sh 72.7 we have contributed in-kind support in strengthen the bank’s balance sheet by billion during the same period last year. the form of ICU beds, ventilators, per- weeding off costs to see operating expenses Total operating expenses marginally sonal protective equipment, face masks, retained at a flat Ksh.4.7 billion from a rose by 9.8 per cent to Sh 3.4 billion, foodstuffs, among others,” says the Family similar period in 2018,’ the report adds. highlighting the cost containment mea- Bank CEO. The CEO further states that, ‘Adoption of sures being implemented by the Bank. Rebecca was appointed in mid-2018 digital channels saw 70 per cent of transac- “The Bank’s impressive performance and immediately shook the banking indus- tions conducted online including request- is a testament of the resilience of our try with her sterling performance. For ing for loan advances. The enhanced

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Management from United States International University-Africa and an LL. B degree from the University of Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), a Certified Secretary and a Member of the Institute of Certified Secretaries, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a member of the Law Society of Kenya. Prior to taking over the steer- ing role at Family Bank, Rebecca was the Company Secretary and Director, Legal Services - a posi- tion she held for four years. That put her in the steering role where she was instrumental in strategy Family Bank Ltd CEO Rebecca Mbithi (centre) receives marathon permit from Athletics Kenya Chair- and business development, capital man Gen J.K Tuwei (Rtd) and Athletics Kenya CEO Susan Kamau during the launch of Family Group and debt raising, risk management, Eldoret Half Marathon The Family Group Foundation on July 10, 2019. compliance and controls, providing legal services and strengthening the I have been part of the transformation journey for the bank having bank’s governance structures. been part of the Family Bank’s senior management team for four years. Taking “I have been part of the trans- over as the CEO has given me the opportunity to steer the ship with formidable formation journey for the bank hav- strategies that have put us back to profitability and we continue on an upward ing been part of the Family Bank’s senior management team for four trajectory. I am privileged to be heading a team that comprises of focused staff years. Taking over as the CEO has whose resolve is to put the customer first while providing innovative products given me the opportunity to steer and services that meet their needs. the ship with formidable strategies that have put us back to profitabil- ity and we continue on an upward efficiency has seen the lender trajectory. I am privileged to be improve on its asset quality in the heading a team that comprises of slashing of its net non-performing focused staff whose resolve is to put loans portfolio by 15.5 percent to the customer first while providing Ksh.4.6 billion.’ innovative products and services Rebecca began school with the that meet their needs,” says Rebecca dream of becoming a pilot but found Mbithi. her passion slowly gaining roots Going into 2021, Rebecca’s in law and finance. She is a high- most important tool is the Bank’s ly experienced professional with an 2020-2024 Strategic plan, dubbed extensive background in leadership ‘take-off’ that is aligned to 13 of in various organizations at direc- the 17 United Nations Sustainable tor level specializing in law, proj- Development Goals (SDG). She will ect finance, corporate restructuring, be scanning this strategic plan and equity/ debt raising and governance. aligning the same, to ensure that A seasoned profession- Family Bank provides loans and al, Rebecca holds a Master’s in avails credit lines to meet the coun- Business Administration in Strategic try’s focus on the Agenda 4 pillars.

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concrete suggestions for implementa- organizations, hospitals, pharmaceutical tiating body with the Government of tion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable manufacturers and distributors, medical Kenya County Governments, any bodies #21 Development and strategies for involving scheme providers, insurers, health mainte- established by such County Governments, the media, academia, private sector and nance organizations, County Government, National Government bodies and govern- respected for program refinements and citizen mobilization. any bodies established by such County ment officials in the interest of the health Dr Elizabeth Wala building credibility and partnerships with Dr Wala is currently Vice Chair, Kenya Government, National Government bod- sector to encourage efficient provision of leading national and international health Healthcare Federation since 2018. The ies, Non-Governmental Organizations and quality health care and health products CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER & FOUNDER OF WANDERLUST DIARIES sector stakeholders and Government and objects of which the Federation is estab- other persons firms and companies and to throughout the Republic of Kenya. Non-Governmental Organizations includ- lished are: promote the interests of the health sector. To champion, protect, promote and t the curtain fell on the year 2020 In a nutshell, and according to a col- ing Ministry of Health, county govern- To promote and enhance medical care To develop standards of quality health represent the interests of medical firms, on December 31, three memories league, Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Dr Wala, in ments, WHO, IFC World Bank, IntraHealth, in Kenya not limited to policy, infra- care, encourage practice of medical and health professionals, medical associations, of Dr Wala rang and ingrained in three phases, is a team-builder; innovative UNFPA, and GAVI. structural and costing with emphasis on business ethics, and promote a free and healthcare organizations, hospitals, private the minds of Kenyans of all walks thinker; go-getter. She gets things done- Currently, Dr Wala is the Global the provision of affordable and competitive health sector. clinics, pharmaceutical manufacturers and Aof life: First, the founder of the Wanderlust from concept to action in the shortest time Advisor, Health and Nutrition at the Aga accessible quality health To promote access to health ser- distributors, medical scheme providers, Diaries that inspires travel enthusiasts by possible. Prof. Atwoli is Dean at Aga Khan Khan Foundation, in which role she works care. vices through encouragement of insurers, health maintenance organiza- sharing their stories and offering solutions University Medical College, East Africa, in close collaboration with AKF’s Health To provide a innovation in the provision of tions, and any other legal entities in the to groups and individuals, especially fol- where Dr Wala is currently based, at the and Nutrition Global Lead, alongside other forum for consulta- medical care. Republic of Kenya including the Counties lowing the lockdowns as a result of the Aga Khan Foundation. members of AKF’s Global Programme Team tion among medical To consult, discuss and act related to the health sector. Covid-19 pandemic that restricted travels, In the health sector, Dr Wala is a stead- to support the promotion and implementa- professional associ- as a nego- Prior to this, Dr Wala was Amref among other public activities. fast and passionate advocate for advancing tion of AKF’s health and nutrition strategy. ations, healthcare Health Africa Kenya Programme Director, Second, a relentless and passionate Universal Health Coverage in order to The position provides ongoing support to Health Systems Strengthening. Here, she Covid-19 advocate. In her own words, Dr ‘LeaveNoOneBehind’. She is recognized field-based teams, lead programme design, provided leadership and operations man- Wala states, ‘I have been on the frontline for a deep understanding of the power of support resource mobilisation, nurture and agement to steer growth of Health Systems of public health messaging from a private multi-stakeholder partnerships and how to sustain partnerships within the Aga Khan strengthening programme at Amref Health sector angle in my role as the Vice-Chair better engage private sector for sustainable Development Network (AKDN) and with Africa, a non-governmental organization of Kenya Healthcare Federation. In the financing and delivery of healthcare. The other key institutions globally. committed to improving health in Africa early days of the pandemic in Kenya, I letter trended under the banners, We’ve got Dr Wala also seats on the boards of through strengthening of health systems ran a weekly series on KHF’s Zoom links your back. Do YOU have ours? we too, have Ponea Health, is a board director in charge and partnerships with communities among educating the public about the disease by rights and #protecthealthworkers. of Clinical Development and Growth-SDG other responsibilities. having experts speak about various aspects She is a leading key contributor to the Kenya Forum where she is also Co-Chair Dr Wala studied Economic Evaluation of it. We quickly put up a KHF Covid-19 development of several guidelines, health since 2019. The forum provides space for of Global Health at the University of response team that tackled various techni- bills and health sector policies. Dr Wala a more structured and coordinated CSO Washington in 2018, and holds a Master cal and communications aspects of fighting is an accomplished leader, known and engagement with government to share of Science degree in Infectious Diseases the pandemic’. (LSHTM) from the University of London I tested positive for Covid-19 on 23rd (2008-2011) and a Bachelor of Medicine, July 2020 at the height of a peak in the CITATION Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from cases in Kenya. By then, there was a lot the University of Nairobi (1996-2002). of stigma around the disease. The public Health System Strengthening Dr Elizabeth Wala was recognized with health messages were spreading a lot of fear the Upcoming Human Rights Defender Personal Social Responsibility and blame. I documented my journey from (PSR) of the Year Award Nominee 2017 – for Day 1 to Day 12 when I became symptom demonstrating courage and impact in the free. I gave a voice to many others to come Policy Formulation promotion and protection of human rights forward and dispel the myths around the and fundamental freedoms in the health COVID-19 disease. I have also co-authored Programme Management care space during the doctors’ industrial with my mentor on a Survival Guide for strike and the 2017 elections period in Resource Mobilization Covid-19. Kenya. Third, a Kenya Professional with moral Capacity Building Business Daily recognized her with a courage, after she wrote an open letter to 2016 listing among the Top 40 Under 40 the Head of State, on the plight of the front- Stakeholder Relations Women - Based on her outstanding con- line and other health workers, especially on tribution to the segments of the economy the need to secure and improve working in matters health in inspiring confidence conditions, environment and incentives for in the fact that the country is on the path the doctors. of progress despite the many challenges.

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major projects including the Mombasa- operation massive investments amounting Nairobi pipeline (Line 5) and additional to nearly KES 60 billion including the new storage tanks in Nairobi during the 2017- Mombasa-Nairobi pipeline (Line 5), new 2018 Financial year, positioned KPC as Sinendet-Kisumu pipeline (Line 6), addi- a strategic player in storing and trans- tional storage tanks in Nairobi Terminal porting refined petroleum products in the and Eldoret and Kisumu Bottom Loading country and the East African region. facilities,” Ngumi observed. #22 The Company also received unqual- The former KPC Board boss said that ified audit opinion from the Office of when the KPC took on one of the largest Auditor General for the period under ever corporate loans in Kenya in 2015, Dr Macharia review. US$ 350 million (KES 35 billion), to help KPC is set to play a much bigger role finance the construction of Line 5, that Irungu as a strategic state agency in the vital was a major milestone in Kenya’s corpo- and growing oil & gas sector because of rate history. MD & CEO - KENYA PIPELINE its increased operational efficiency, John “This loan was extended by banks Ngumi, the immediate past chairman, purely on the basis of KPC’s balance sheet when handing over the reins of leading the strength; the lenders did not ask for or KPC Board to Rita Okuthe. need a government guarantee. We have In a statement to staff then, Ngumi continued servicing that loan satisfactorily acknowledged that his 5-year tenure at the to the tune of nearly KES 2 billion every aving paid Sh2.7bn dividend to the gov- KPC has registered many notable achieve- quarter,” he informed staff. ernment at the end of 2020 on the back ments and he bows out of the company a Ngumi also hailed KPC for success- of revenue growth of Sh31.5 billion in the happy man with his head held high. fully managing the operations and per- financial year 2018/2019, representing “Since I joined the Board as Chairman formance of another parastatal, Kenya anH increase of 14%, the Kenya Pipeline Company in April 2015, we have seen astounding Petroleum Refineries Limited. The KPL (KPC) stands out as the top most performer among achievements, and suffered setbacks that is in the process of finalising the complete the state-owned enterprises (SOEs). could have been fatal to any other compa- integration of the two SOEs. The KPC throughput volumes increased to 7.4 ny that did not have KPC’s long history, Working with Kenya Ports Authority billion litres compared to 6.6 billion recorded the resilience, resources and people,” Ngumi and Kenya Railway Corporation, KPC previous year, with cash flow reserves rising from told the KPC staff then. has also helped commence the rejuvena- Sh5.3 billion to Sh12.9 billion during the period “We have seen KPC dramatically raise tion of Kisumu Port as a major regional under review. its financial game over the last five years. fuel transport hub because transporting Speaking at the company’s annual general We managed to complete and bring into petroleum products to the region is a meeting, chairman Rita Okuthe said cash flow reserves increased from Sh5.3 billion to Sh12.9 billion during the period under review. “Our contin- ued growth has enabled us remain a self-sustaining commercial entity; financing our operations. We are committed to support the government through the exchequer to deliver on its mandate,” Okuthe added. The KPC asset base stood at Sh135.6 billion as it turned out a profit before tax of Sh3.2 billion for the period ended June 30, 2019. KPC Managing Director Dr Macharia Irungu states that over the last couple of years, KPC has provided a good return on investments (ROI) to its shareholder. ‘’We have grown to be one of the largest SOEs in Kenya. During the last eight years, KPC generated over Sh80 billion in profits before tax and paid over Sh 50 billion in taxes to the government during the period,” Dr Irungu states in the end year report. Dr Irungu adds that the completion of three

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Okuthe who is the first ever lady to chair the KPC Board of Directors. John Ngumi is now Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) having been appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, August 7, 2020. The move came after the President signed an executive order governing the operations of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) One Account. and the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). The order is set to guide the central management of public One million port, railway and pipeline services under the Kenya Transport and Logistics Network (KTLN) with the coordination of the Industrial shillings and Commercial Development major part of the Lake Victoria CITATION Corporation (ICDC) Board. Transport Initiative. Dr Macharia Irungu joined KPC Dr Macharia “We await the completion of Oil & Energy Industry Leadership in November 2019 following one Irungu Uganda’s two oil jetties on the other of the most rigorous recruitment Strategic Management joined KPC side of Lake Victoria before we can processes ever conducted for a CEO, in November operationalise Kisumu Oil Jetty, Road Safety by the board of directors and close- 2019 following which is ready for use,” Ngumi said ly observed by the Public Service one of the while hailing KPC for working with Turnkey Project Management Commission (PSC) from an initial most rigorous Kenya Railways, the Kenya Defence list of 88 and shortlisted to 9. Capital Expenditure Management recruitment Forces and the National Youth Prior to this appointment, Dr Service in bringing back into oper- Irungu was the CEO of Gulf Africa processes ever ation the Nairobi-Nanyuki Railway, Integrated Transport Management Power Company (GAPCO) a mem- conducted which is going to be transformative ber of Total Kenya Group, and CEO for a CEO, for the Mt Kenya and Northern million to the NYS, which enabled of the road-safety NGO Safe Way by the board Kenya regions. them produce 1.5 million masks, while a strategy and communica- of directors “KPC paid to the Government also for free distribution to needy tions director with Total Kenya. and closely KES 11.8 billion in dividends in Kenyans,” he concluded adding that Dr Irungu holds a BSc degree observed by the previous year out of which KES KPC has indeed improved relation- in Chemistry from the University of the Public 1.8 billion was expended by the ships with stakeholders namely the Nairobi, an MBA degree from the Government on the Nairobi-Nanyuki shareholders, oversight agencies, National University-USA and a PhD Service Railway,” he added. and business partners. in Strategic Management from the Commission Ngumi told staff that Covid-19 The current chairman Rita University of Nairobi. (PSC) from an and its aftermath have brought out Okuthe said during the handover On December 12, 2020 Dr initial list of 88 the best side of KPC. The corpora- ceremony that she was very grateful Macharia Irungu was conferred the and shortlisted tion moved quickly to work with for the privilege to serve the people award and honour of The Moran to 9. Government, corporate partners and of Kenya in the new capacity. of The Order of the Burning Spear other Kenyans to produce over 1.5 “I thank His Excellency (MBS) by the President of Kenya, million litres of sanitisers for free President Uhuru Kenyatta for the in recognition of distinguished and distribution to needy Kenyans across confidence he has bestowed in me. outstanding service rendered to the the country. I will serve the nation with self- nation in the various capacity and “We also made a grant of KES 55 less dedication and hard work,” said responsibilities he has held.

BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 74 Terms and conditions apply. Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 75 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

and indirectly through their agency waved the charges on bank balance Habil started his career at CITATION platforms like the e-wallets, com- inquiries. the PricewaterhouseCoopers, in menced cushioning Kenyans espe- These actions by the banking Strategic the Audit and Business Advisory cially the most vulnerable sectors industry helped in stabilising the Leadership Services Division. of the society, by removing fees financial markets in an environ- Dr Habil Olaka sits on a num- charged on a number of transac- ment of massive unemployment, Corporate ber of boards representing the Governance tions across different platforms. acute poverty and threats of mass KBA. These include the Kenya Through the Kenya Bankers famine among the most vulnerable Banking Deposit Insurance Corporation, #23 Association coordination, the bank- communities. The banks managed Industry Higher Education Loans Board, ing industry undertook to extend to step up through their umbrella Leadership National Research Fund, National relief on all current personal loans body led by Dr Olaka. Housing Corporation and the in the books (representing 28%) of Dr Habil Olaka was appointed Banking Anti-Money Laundering Advisory the banking loan book, as on March as Chief Executive Officer of the Product Board (as alternate to KBA Dr. Habil Olaka Innovation 2 2020, where the individuals Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) Chairman). CEO - KENYA BANKERS ASSOCIATION encountered repayment hardships in October 2010. Since then, Habil He is the current chairman of such as poorly performing personal has been responsible for the stra- the Federation of Kenya Employers ventures, or loss of employment or tegic direction of the Association, (FKE) chairs the Public Finance illness arising out of the effects of covering industry advocacy, devel- Sector Board of the Kenya Private the novel coronavirus, leading to opment and sustainability. Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the no cashflow to service the personal Previously, Habil was the Board of Directors of Centre for loans. Director of Operations of the Corporate Governance. Regarding the SMEs, the busi- East African Development Bank The engineer turned accoun- nesses were granted a window to (EADB) based in after tant turned banker holds a Doctor approach their respective banks serving as the Resident Manager in of Business Administration (DBA) directly for analysis, after which Kenya. He earlier served the bank degree from USIU-Africa, a First- depending on the merits of the case, as the Head of Risk Management Class Honours BSc degree in have the loan repayment restruc- and as the Chief Internal Auditor. Electrical Engineering from the tured, the costs of the restructuring Before joining the Bank, he had University of Nairobi, and an MBA bone by the respective bank on been with Banque Indosuez (now in Finance from the Manchester non-personal loans. The banks also Bank of Africa). Business School in the UK. His DBA dissertation was on the influ- ence of strategic leadership on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya. Dr Habil Olaka was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) in Habil is a member of the October 2010. Since then, Habil has been responsible for the strategic direction of the Association, Institute of the Certified Public covering industry advocacy, development and sustainability. Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and the CFA Institute. He is an ue to the adverse effects of the addressing the adjustments to the changed being felt far and wide, as the industry alumnus of the Strathmore School Covid-19 pandemic on the econ- environment and adhering to the constant- geared itself to offer relief to an already of Accountancy and has a good omy and indeed the social infra- ly unravelling health protocols, is Dr Habil grief-stricken customer base. command of the French language. structure in Kenya, bank custom- Olaka. The adjustments included a raft of Through the concerted efforts by banks, Some of the initiatives he Ders have had to contend with a new normal: financial interventions aimed at cushioning businesses benefitting from these incen- has overseen at the KBA include from all kinds and manner of inconvenienc- business and individual bank customers tives extended these business mercies, by the truncation project, es and liabilities. from the expected ravaging by the novel coming to the rescue of the micro, small credit information sharing ini- From inability to service loan repay- coronavirus, SARS CoV-2. and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through tiative, chip and pin technology ment obligations as a result of reduced Guiding the banks, the Central Bank of a number of initiatives, tools and frame- (EMV standards), the real time income or job losses, to risks in the bank- Kenya 9CBK) through the monetary policy works, foremost of which was renegotiation account to account transfer sys- ing halls, delays in service delivery due to committee (MPC) reduced the cash reserve of loan repayment obligations on case-by- tem (Pesalink), currency centres scaled down staffing and in some cases, ratio by 1 % of deposits held by banks case basis and extension of credit lines to (four so far), sustainable finance closure of bank branches. to release liquidity, in a bid to free more mitigate the delays arising from late invoice initiative. He was the CEO of the One person who has coordinated funds to the sector and protect the banking payments. Year 2018 by the Association of the reaction of banks as an industry, in industry from the economic shock already In addition, the banking sector directly Bank Executives.

76 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 77 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 CEOs Making an Impact in Business

r Naim Bilal Yaseen is tor of Information in the Republic the managing director under the Ministry of ICT, of Kenya Broadcasting where he was honoured with a Corporation, the country’s stint as acting PS for the State DPublic Service Broadcaster (www. Department of Broadcasting and kbc.co.ke). He has over 30 years’ Telecommunications in December experience in media and communi- 2018. cations management. AT KBC, Naim is quite at home Naim started his career in 1989 professionally, and has quietly been as a reporter with Kenya News implementing changes within the Agency where he served briefly framework of an elaborate trans- before joining the Nation Media formation strategy to reposition Group. At Nation Media, he rose the Corporation as an effective and through the ranks from a reporter in competitive National Broadcaster. the Print Division to News Manager KBC operates two television sta- of Nation Broadcasting Division, tions and 21 radio services. The becoming one of the founding edi- Corporation runs Signet, the largest tors of NTV and the then Nation Having started Broadcast Signal Distributor (BSD) #24 FM. his career with a in Kenya, moving business through Apart from his major investiga- well researched and in-depth news tive stories in the in the diploma from the analysis and advertising. Dr Naim Bilal 1990s, Naim is known for conduct- Kenya Institute of Naim prefers not to say much ing a rare and exclusive interview Mass Communication about what is going on behind the MD & CEO - THE KENYA with then President Moi on Nation scenes at KBC. “Stay tuned as we BROADCASTING CORPORATION FM, during which the late Moi con- 30 years ago, Naim enter the new year,” is all he would fronted critics who had accused his is now among the say. His peers and staff describe him family of stashing ill-gotten wealth most learned media as a visionary leader and hardcore in offshore accounts. professional who is a stickler for Besides Nation Media where practitioners in Kenya. efficiency and results in work per- Naim worked for 20 years, the formance. He demands the highest KBC CEO was in the lead team standard of performance in any task, that steered the establishment of with implementing the Judiciary small or big and often rolls up his live broadcasting of Parliamentary Transformation Framework, playing sleeves to personally get the work proceedings in 2009, a project that a key role in opening up the erst- done. He has an open-door policy was supported by USAID through while closed and unfriendly institu- that has endeared him to staff. SUNY Kenya, where Naim served tion to the public. It is worth mentioning that as project director reporting to the His tenure in the Judiciary saw Naim has over the years combined then Chief of Party and current judicial marches and a trend-setting work and study in amazing fashion. Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Dr engagement with the media and the Having started his career with a Fred Matiang’i. public by judges and magistrates. diploma from the Kenya Institute After implementation of the Before joining KBC as MD, of Mass Communication 30 years live broadcasting project and estab- Naim served as the acting direc- ago, Naim is now among the most lishment of the Parliamentary learned media practitioners in CITATION Broadcasting Unit, Naim was Kenya. He holds a total of five absorbed in Government as depu- Media Content Production degrees: Bachelor’s degree in Police ty director of public communica- Science from the University of South tion, before joining the Judiciary Media Industry Leadership Africa, LLB from the same univer- as director of Public Affairs and sity, MBA from the University of Communication in 2012. Reporting Transformational Leadership LLeida in Spain, Master’s Degree in to then chief registrar of the Communication Policy Studies from Talent Development Judiciary, Gladys Shollei and Chief City University London and a PhD Justice Dr Willy Mutunga, Naim Strategic Communication in Communication Studies from Moi was in the dream team charged University.

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ith over a decade of experience in CITATION Integrated Marketing Communications, #25 Client Partnership Samantha has been responsible for lead- ing agency teams in developing commu- Moral Courage Samantha I do not think it’s a Wnication strategies that not only engage and resonate coincidence that we are with consumers, but that also deliver strong positive Global Product Branding growing in the midst of impact on the client’s Profit and Loss (P&L). Siyieyio the greatest disruption Due to her focus and commitment, Dentsu Kenya Digital Marketing Strategies to life in modern history, was able to not only weather the storm that was Kipury we have and will 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Data and Tools continue make huge but the company actually delivered record perfor- GROUP MD & CEO – mance, which is a testament to both her and her Strategic Communication internal investments in team’s mettle. DENTSU KENYA Services Rebranding customer understanding “As a result of the global experience of our CEO in this landscape and Chris Madison, we were able to recognize the impact leveraging data to of COVID-19 pandemic in other markets, and take partnership really was the foundation of everything drive these customer on measures that would protect both our company you saw in the media. It was the embodiment of experiences for our and our clients during this period, the diligent appli- “Innovating The Way Brands are Built”. clients. cation of these measures every day of the year is what Since founding Carat in 2010, Samantha has allowed us to delivered these results – it was my no grown the agency to over 130 people, working along- means a one man/woman show”, states Samantha. side strong leadership in the digital and creative “Campaigns like the much lauded and awarded space. Bonga For Good allowed us to showcase our tools Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s ability to deliver against business outcomes. Through courage, they say. In 2010, at a corner of a 5 the foresight of the Safaricom marketing team, we square foot open office off Ngong Road, 25-year-old were able to work together to deliver a campaign Samantha Siyieyio Kipury sat alone, her courage that truly embodied the Safaricom brand purpose of spilling over, filling the empty space around her. Her transforming lives. Through this campaign millions life had just taken a trajectory that would propel her of Kenyans were able to access basic food stuffs career in the media industry in Kenya. during lockdown through redeeming their Bonga When asked about the future for Dentsu, her Points—a first for Africa.” response was, “I do not think it’s a coincidence that When asked what it takes to grow a successful we are growing in the midst of the greatest disrup- agency, her response was simple, “Brave Clients”. tion to life in modern history. We have and will con- Despite her humility, it is clear that when coupled tinue to make huge internal investments in customer with their client’s who Samantha is hugely proud of, understanding in this landscape and leveraging data Dentsu Kenya has the ability to leverage data and to drive these customer experiences for our clients. tools to deliver campaigns like no other. For instance, Strong performance is great, but people are why we in addition to the Bonga For Good campaign already exist. We exist to transform lives through our brands, mentioned here, another campaign that moved the and we are just getting started’’. country was the rebrand from Barclays to Absa Bank After graduating from Monash University in Kenya. Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree When asked to comment, her response was in marketing in 2007, she joined what is now one “The Absa leadership team is completely unafraid of her major competitors, WPP in 2008 as of stepping into a brave new future embedded in a media planner. Samantha rose through the digital transformation to drive customer experiences. ranks to the position of Media Director, before ven- This fits in perfectly with our brand purpose and the turing on her own to start Carat Kenya.

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of participants were infected with HIV new prevention option for women that tion in women. And the threshold for early during the study period. This suggests offers a significant advantage over exist- stopping of the trial was met. Based on Large Africa study makes important that both cabotegravir and Truvada are ing oral PrEP which requires consistent these findings the independent data and highly effective for HIV prevention in this daily use and is associated with signifi- safety monitoring board recommended that population. cant adherence challenges. the blinded portion of the study be stopped breakthrough in HIV prevention The 34 incident infections detected in We observed roughly 9 times the early and the results released to the scientif- participants assigned to Truvada is equiv- number of incident HIV infections in ic and broader community. Scientists from the HIV Prevention Trials Network recently found that a alent to an incident of 1.79%. And the the Truvada arm compared to the cabo- An earlier sibling study in cisgender four infections detected in the participants tegravir arm. This finding suggests that men and transgender women called HPTN PrEP regimen of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB LA) injections once every assigned to cabotegravir is equivalent to cabotegravir is much more effective 083 showed similar results. A prep regimen eight weeks was better than the daily tablet used for HIV prevention. an incidence of 0.21%. This confirms a than Truvada in preventing HIV infec- containing long-acting cabotegravir inject- able once every 8 weeks was superior to the daily oral Truvada in that population.

What are the next steps? SINEAD DELANY-MORETLWE in seven countries. Research took place in The study results are important and timely Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South as more methods to prevent HIV among Associate Professor and Director: Research Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe between women at higher risk of HIV are urgently at the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV November 2017 and November 2020. needed. These include methods that do Institute I, University of the Witwatersrand Our study randomised participants to not depend on daily or near-daily pill-tak- one of two arms. One arm received active ing, condom use or abstention from sex. cabotegravir and a Truvada placebo. The The development of alternative methods to omen make up more than other arm received active Truvada and prevent HIV, and more adherence-friendly half of the people living with placebos for cabotegravir. Cabotegravir was schedules than are currently available, will HIV around the world. Young administered daily by mouth for 5 weeks increase the HIV prevention choices and women between the ages of 10 and via intramuscular injection at 8-weekly acceptability for women and reduce new andW 24 are twice as likely to get HIV as intervals after an initial 4-week interval HIV infections. young men in the same age group. In East load. We have communicated with the and Southern Africa young women will research ethics committees and national acquire HIV on average five to seven years What did you find? drug regulators overseeing this study, and earlier than their male peers. Preliminary findings show that overall, 1% site investigators and study participants are Researchers have been working hard being notified about the results as soon as to find effective HIV prevention measures. possible. Participants will be able to learn Most notable is the pre-exposure pro- Our mission is to share knowledge and about the medication that they were receiv- phylaxis (PrEP) pill known as Truvada. inform decisions. ing. A protocol amendment will be sub- This is a combination of two antiretroviral mitted for regulatory review to allow par- drugs—tenofovir and emtricitabine. This Can you tell us about the study? ticipants to continue taking their assigned can be effective in preventing HIV acqui- This study, known as HPTN 084 is the first medication or to switch to cabotegravir if sition. But taking a pill every day is not one to compare the efficacy of two HIV they choose. practical for many people. prevention or pre-exposure prophylaxis Participants on Truvada will be offered Scientists from the HIV Prevention regimens. cabotegravir as soon as the medication can Trials Network recently found that a PrEP The first regimen consisted of an injec- Scientists from the HIV Prevention be made available. All participants will be regimen of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB tion of the long-acting antiretroviral drug, Trials Network recently found that asked to continue on the study. And if they LA) injections once every eight weeks was cabotegravir given every eight weeks. The a PrEP regimen of long-acting chose not to remain on the study, they will better than the daily tablet used for HIV second regimen was the daily oral dose of cabotegravir (CAB LA) injections be referred for the best locally available prevention. Ina Skosana spoke to Sinead Truvada. Truvada has been shown to be once every eight weeks was better HIV prevention services. We look forward Delany-Moretlwe, a research professor at highly effective for HIV prevention when than the daily tablet used for HIV to presenting these results in a peer-review the University of the Witwatersrand in taken as prescribed in a variety of popula- setting at upcoming conferences as we final- South Africa and director of research at the tions and contexts. prevention. ise the primary analysis. Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute We enrolled over 3,200 sexually active, to find out more. HIV-uninfected cisgender women at 20 sites

82 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 83 HEALTH News Feature

School of Public Health and the Broad Institute descent, skewing the data in a way that makes of MIT in the US, Moi University and KEMRI- Research on it less useful to the majority of people in the Wellcome Trust in Kenya, Makerere University the genetic world. in Uganda and Addis Ababa University in The world is perilously close to an era Ethiopia. Rounding out southern Africa is the basis of mental of “white-people-only DNA tests.” In existing team from the University of Cape Town. illness has so far databases, 78% of the DNA data comes from The initiative aims to do something that largely excluded people of European ancestries, who make up has never been done on this scale before: recruit populations only about 16% of the world’s population. 35,000 people in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa that are not of One of the main issues presented by this and Uganda to answer questions about their European heritage diversity problem is that any solutions (includ- health, lifestyle and mental illness, and donate meaning that ing new medications) are likely to work best for two teaspoons of saliva for DNA testing. people of African the people whose DNA the research was based on – people of European descent. In fact, most Diversity problem descent might not residents in a diverse city like the US city of The finding that severe and chronic mental benefit from the Boston, made up of white, black, Hispanic and illnesses tend to cluster in families has spurred new biological Asian people among others, may not benefit the efforts to understand the genetic differences insights into way they could from research efforts emanating between people with these illnesses and those mental illness. from only a section of the world’s population. without. By looking at DNA and untangling Massive project on African DNA what is going awry in the brain to cause these Potential targets for new medicines mental disorders, we hope to spur the creation Our large collaborative effort in Africa is of new medications to treat these debilitating called Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African sets out to close the knowledge illnesses and reduce the suffering that comes Populations-Psychosis, “NeuroGAP-Psychosis” with them. for short. gap on mental illness Unfortunately, recent efforts to study the With the data collected from the 35,000 genetics of a number of illnesses have what people recruited for the project we will be look- many of us are calling a “diversity problem.” ing for important, clinically relevant genetic Research has found that severe mental illness is influenced by genes Most of the work in human genetics so far differences that might be found in people of more than by any other risk factor. And genes are emerging as has focused on people of Northern European African descent and may be less common in important clues for new treatments. people of European descent. The information could lead to potential to the inpatient Mental Health Unit and sion. In Eldoret, Kenya, where this health targets for new medicines that will help people LUKOYE ATWOLI diagnosed with schizophrenia. facility is located, it is not unusual to have of African descent and likely people of all ances- Professor of Psychiatry and Dean, Medical Then the man’s daughter came to visit two or three relatives receiving care for tries around the globe due to the way human College East Africa, Aga Khan University, Aga him. Her clothes and her hair were dishev- mental illnesses. populations originated in Africa and migrated Khan University Graduate School of Media elled. She described people plotting against Such an occurrence is not unique. to other continents. and Communications (GSMC) her and giving her dirty looks when she research has found that severe mental ill- In truth, genetics research cannot be done walked in the street. She said she was hav- ness is influenced by genes more than by effectively in a narrow slice of humanity. Our ANNE STEVENSON ing trouble sleeping. The clinicians looked any other risk factor. And genes are emerg- hope is that the genetic data found in the at each other with apprehension: Might she ing as important clues for new treatments. NeuroGAP-Psychosis study, and in similar Program Director, NeuroGAP-Psychosis Study, have schizophrenia too? But research on the genetic basis of studies underway in Mexico, China, Japan, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Ultimately, the daughter and four more mental illness has so far largely excluded Finland and many other countries, will be com- members of the family were diagnosed populations that are not of European her- bined to help solve the mystery of the causes of n July 2009, a woman brought her with schizophrenia. While having six mem- itage. That means that this Kenyan family, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. husband to the hospital where our bers of the same family diagnosed with and other people of African descent, might Our greatest wish? To see better treatments, colleagues work in western Kenya. She schizophrenia is unusual, it has long been not benefit from the new biological insights reach all people suffering from severe mental reported that for several years he had recognised that mental disorders can run into mental illness. illness, whether they are in western Kenya or beenI behaving abnormally, sleeping poorly, in families. And often members of such To help remedy this problem in psychi- in Boston. hearing voices that no one else could hear, families differ in their symptoms. atric research, researchers from the United and believing that people were talking For reasons that we are just begin- States and four countries in Africa are A version of this article originally appeared on about him and plotting to harm him. ning to understand, one family member working together to study the genetics of WBUR’s CommonHealth under the title, “Moving Away from ‘White People Only’ DNA Tests: African She was seeking help because he was no might be diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They Project Seeks Thousands for Mental Health longer able to work. The man was admitted another with bipolar disorder or depres- are drawn from the Harvard T.H. Chan Genetics.”

84 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 85 ENVIRONMENT News Feature

influence on the quality of life of city resi- a household level and increases carbon The loss of vegetation is creating a dents. Although the intensity of Nairobi’s Changes in land cover in footprint in the atmosphere. heat island has not reached alarming levels Nairobi are mainly due dangerous heat island over Nairobi of directly causing death, with ongoing What lessons from cities elsewhere developments this is bound to eventually to policy changes—such should Kenya be taking? Urban heat island refers to when temperatures in the city are higher than those of happen. as zoning—that increase The benefits associated with urbanisa- surrounding areas that have more vegetation cover. The effect is more pronounced The most direct effect on health from the plot area covered tion—such as more roads and living spac- the urban heat island is heat health risk. es—are needed. But there is a need to at night when impervious surfaces re-radiate heat that is absorbed during the day Heat can worsen pre-existing conditions by a building relative to make the city more sustainable which into the atmosphere. such as heart and lung disease, kidney the total plot size. For would mitigate the urban heat island and VICTOR ONGOMA Nairobi is one of the fastest growing cities surface temperatures compared to vegetat- problems, diabetes, and asthma. It can also instance, areas close to the reduce all forms of environmental pollu- in Africa. The city’s population, which was ed land cover. This is because vegetation affect occupational performance or lead tion. Lecturer in Physical Geography, The University about 2 million people a decade ago, now provides shade and, through evapotrans- directly to death. Extremely high tempera- central business district To manage the urban heat island, cities of the South Pacific stands at over 4 million. This puts a lot of piration, cools cities. Impervious surfaces tures of more than 27°C for a period of that were residential in must increase vegetation. For instance, pressure on the natural environment. such as concrete absorb more solar radi- time, such as during heat waves, puts peo- land use have seen recent Stuttgart, a city in Germany, despite being PATRICIA MWANGI Areas of vegetation around rivers and ation than they reflect. This leads to a ple with health issues particularly at risk. an automobile hub stands out as one of the forested land have declined in the city due phenomenon known as urban heat island. At certain times of the year, parts of conversions to commercial greenest in the world. The city’s vegetation Lecturer, to encroachment and infrastructure devel- Urban heat island refers to when tem- Nairobi are already dealing with tem- or office space land cover is over 60%. This has a range of ben- opment, namely roads and buildings. It has peratures in the city are higher than those perature increases of up to 4.8°C and are use. This changes the efits including increased biodiversity and enya’s capital city, Nairobi, used been reported that Nairobi city has lost of surrounding areas that have more vege- associated with increases in mortality, better air quality. to be known as the “Green City in 22% of the city’s green spaces cover in the tation cover. The effect is more pronounced especially in children and the elderly. landscape. The measures that Stuttgart put in the Sun” for its lush environment. period between 1988 and 2016. at night when impervious surfaces re-ra- Residents of large informal settlements— place include the establishment and main- There have been however recently Changes in land cover in Nairobi are diate heat that is absorbed during the day such as , Mathare and Mukuru— tenance of urban green corridors and beenK a lot of changes to Nairobi’s land mainly due to policy changes—such as zon- into the atmosphere. are more vulnerable due to population tion of electricity on cooling in buildings. urban parks, river cycle paths, designing cover—what’s on the ground’s surface. ing—that increase the plot area covered by Through our work, we have found that density and housing infrastructure that The increase in demand and consumption and construction of cool buildings with Most recently, there was uproar over the a building relative to the total plot size. For an urban heat island is already manifesting is characterised by poor ventilation. The of electricity has financial implications at natural cooling system, use of green roofs, felling of hundreds of trees to make way for instance, areas close to the central business over Nairobi. Data over Nairobi indicates urban heat island will worsen conditions use of urban water such as fountains to the construction of the Nairobi Expressway. district that were residential in land use that average air temperatures increased such as respiratory issues and heart dis- reduce temperatures by evaporation, and Moina Spooner, from The Conversation have seen recent conversions to commercial from 18.8°C in the 1950s to 19.5°C in eases caused by household air pollution in use of effective means of transport – such Africa, asked Victor Ongoma and Patricia or office space land use. This changes the 2000s. This situation is likely to become these settlements. as trains – to limit the number of cars in Mwangi to share their insights into how landscape. more pronounced given the ongoing envi- Also, because it gets hotter, urban urban settings. changes in land cover affect the city and its ronmental modification by construction, heat islands cause thermal discomfort. This can be replicated in Kenya too. All environment. In what ways has this affected the such as the Nairobi Expressway. To counter this, more appliances—such that is needed is a plan for proper urban city and its residents? as electric fans and air conditioners—are heat management and proper leadership to How has land cover changed in Areas covered by impervious surfaces such What are the implications? used. This leads to an increased consump- implement it before the urban heat island Nairobi? as tarmac, metal or concrete—have higher This urban micro-climate will have an intensity reaches alarming levels.

86 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 87 ENTERTAINMENT News Feature

Once payment is made, customers are upgraded to the next higher package within 48 hours. New customers are New year, new exciting offer also not left out of these amazing ben- efits because this Step Up offer is open to both active and disconnected DStv for DStv, GOtv customers Access, Family and Compact customers. Meanwhile, GOtv customers also to cushion Kenyans have something new to smile about. The new GOtv promotion is dubbed Changamkia Maximum Discount. from January blues “From today, GOtv Kenya is intro- ducing the Changamkia Maximum Discount offer where you, as a custom- er, can get entertainment to the MAX Fresh off the Value Added Tax (VAT) adjustments through this exciting preposition! All effected on 1 January 2021, DStv and GOtv customers GOtv Customers can subscribe to more drama, series, movies and sport by sim- are in for a New Year treat as MultiChoice Kenya ply upgrading to GOtv Max for less,” rolls out new offers to cushion customers against the stated Nancy. challenging economic times. The promotion is an exciting lim- ited offer for all GOtv Plus, Value and Lite customers that will see eligible customers get upgraded to GOtv Max ccording to the MultiChoice education and set new goals while at a discounted rate. Once payment is Kenya managing director, others look for new ways to save and made, customers will be upgraded to Nancy Matimu, the start of a stretch their budget the best way they GOtv Max within 48 hours. The offer is new year calls for many things. can,” said Nancy. “Therefore, we are valid for all active and non-active GOtv A“We understand that for some, it’s a making sure that your year is off to customers. great time to invest in their children’s a great start with amazing deals sure How the Changamkia MAXimum Discount offer works: to kickstart your year in a great way As an ACTIVE or DISCONNECTED and give you better value for your How the DStv Step Up offer GOtv Lite, Value and Plus customer, money,’’ she adds. works: From today, GOtv Kenya you can now upgrade your package to The DStv campaign unveiled If you are an active customer is introducing the GOtv Max at a discounted rate of only today is dubbed DStv Step-Up on DStv Access, Family or Compact Changamkia Maximum KSh890 and enjoy the best of GOtv Promotion and will run from 14 package, simply upgrade to the Discount offer where within 48 hours!! January 2021 to 31 March 2021. next package and DStv will give you The Promotion allows customers you, as a customer, can Changamkia maximum discount a further boost to an even higher to get upgraded to a second higher get entertainment to the offer and enjoy MAX entertainment for package at no extra cost to you. package when paying for a package MAX through this exciting LESS and stay entertained. higher than their last active sub- If a DStv Access customer pays for preposition! All GOtv scription. “Through the new Step Up DStv Family package at only Sh1,380 Customers can subscribe Visit dstv.com or gotvafrica. campaign, existing DStv customers they will Step Up to Compact. to more drama, series, com for a full line up of this are enabled to see varied program- If a DStv Family customer pays for movies and sport by January content headed your ming available across higher pack- DStv Compact package at only Sh2,650 simply upgrading to GOtv way. Dial *423# now to buy, ages, at the price of a lower package, they will Step Up to Compact Plus. making great content more accessi- Max for less. pay, reconnect or clear errors. ble to a wide group of customers,” If a Compact customer pays for DStv To manage your account, stated Nancy. Compact Plus package at only Sh4,800 - Nancy Matimu, MultiChoice download the MyDStv App or they will Step Up to DStv Premium. Kenya managing director MyGOtv App.

88 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 89 SCIENCE Special Feature

ments, have been unsafe as far back as fuel economy of vehicles in Nairobi is More work is also needed to track the early 1980s. 2-3 times worse than in countries like the impacts of different policies and The review also points to gaps in Japan, India and China from which transport interventions on pollution in Nairobi’s air has been polluted for decades: our understanding of air pollution in these vehicles tend to be imported. Nairobi. There is an urgent need to set Kenya. This could inspire further target- Studies also found much higher levels up a real-time continuous air quali- New review suggests a path forward ed research to fill in the gaps. of lead and manganese (additives to ty monitoring system to capture such petroleum fuels) in Nairobi than in information. This review, however, sug- High pollution levels European countries in the late 1990s gests that there are certain policy inter- the gold standard by the scien- Research has found ity monitoring data. But there Emissions from industrial sources have and early 2000s. Less work has been ventions that can and must be made PRIYANKA DESOUZA tific community. This is because have been 33 air pollution been found to be important pollution carried out to evaluate levels after 2006, based on our current understanding of such instruments produce high that the fuel economy studies that report concentra- sources. Multiple studies have demon- when leaded gasoline was phased out. air pollution patterns in Kenya. PhD researcher at the of vehicles in Nairobi is Department of Urban Studies quality estimates of air quali- tions of widespread pollutants strated that air pollution levels in poor These findings present evidence This review also reveals larger gaps and Planning, Massachusetts ty concentrations to accurately 2-3 times worse than in Kenya since the early 1980s. neighbourhoods exhibit fine particulate for policymakers to urgently enforce in the infrastructure of air pollution Institute of Technology identify if the standards are in countries like Japan, The majority of these studies levels of several 100 μg/m3, an order the ban of importing vehicles above a governance in Kenya. Specifically, the being met. India and China from were carried out in Nairobi. of magnitude higher than current stan- certain age. They suggest the need to review finds that many studies have been ccording to the State Such measurements are which these vehicles Many are limited, in space, time dards. These neighbourhoods include improve the infrastructure to enable conducted by researchers at the Kenya of the Global Air 2020 used extensively to evaluate the and instrumentation. to Nairobi’s north, Viwanda non-motorised transport in Nairobi to Meteorological Department using offi- report, ambient air pol- health consequences of pollu- tend to be imported. And yet, taken as a whole, in the east, and Kibera to the south. serve the majority of the population cial air quality monitors. Some of these lution was responsible tion on health, trends in air Studies also found they provide consistent and All studies demonstrate that vehic- that does not own a car. studies show that air pollution levels in Afor around 5,000 premature pollution around the world, much higher levels of important insights about pol- ular emissions are an important pollu- They speak to the need to incor- Nairobi violate the current standards. deaths in Kenya in 2019 alone. major sources, and the impact lead and manganese lution in Nairobi. My analy- tion source in Nairobi. Black carbon porate air pollution concerns into the However, the data from many of these It is the fourth most important of policies on air quality. These (additives to petrol sis of this cumulative evidence produced from the incomplete combus- environmental impact assessment of studies are not publicly available. The risk factor in driving death and efforts have been crucial in the fuels) in Nairobi than in reveals that particulate matter tion of fuel, typically produced from transport related projects, such as the department currently charges for this disability combined in Kenya. development of effective air pol- in some parts of Nairobi, such older vehicles, forms a large fraction building of new highways in the city. data. There is a need for a push to make Indeed, the 2017 national eco- lution mitigation plans. European countries in as the Industrial Area district, of particulate matter in Nairobi, with The review of the literature also this data more transparent for science nomic survey estimated that In Kenya, there is no pub- the late 1990s and early where factories exist side by levels among the highest in the world. provides evidence that sources of pol- and policy purposes. 19.9 million Kenyans suffer licly available, official air qual- 2000s. side with crowded poor settle- Other research has found that the lution in Nairobi’s Industrial Area need from respiratory ailments that to be mitigated. The national environ- Small steps forward are exacerbated by poor air ment management authority requires Kenyan researchers have teamed up quality. industrial facilities to contract desig- with policymakers to form the Kenya Kenya’s national environ- nated laboratories with the necessary Air Quality Network to develop evi- mental management agency equipment to report smokestack emis- dence-based air pollution management (NEMA) imposed regulations sions. Provisions should be made for plans. Through these efforts, Nairobi in 2014 for national ambient continuous monitoring in line with the county has become the first to lay out air quality standards. These 2014 regulations. As a first step, these an air quality action plan. Such policy set out the maximum permis- emissions data should be made public efforts need to be supported. sible concentrations of different for key polluters to be identified so that It’s also important to highlight the widespread pollutants for res- action can be taken. initiatives underway in the Kenyan citi- idential and industrial areas. The review also points to gaps in zen science space. For example, Code for The regulations also laid out our understanding of air pollution in Africa has teamed up with journalists, steps to be taken for “preven- Kenya that could inspire further tar- providing them with low-cost air quali- tion, control and abatement” of geted research to fill in the gaps. For ty monitors so that they could track and pollution in recognition of the example, few studies report the concen- monitor specific factories that residents toll it takes on health. trations gaseous pollutants. have long complained about. So far, however, the enforce- These include volatile organic com- Such work has been crucial in rais- ment of these regulations has pounds, sulphur dioxide and surface ing awareness of air pollution among been minimal due to a lack of ozone, which are likely to be high in the the public. These studies highlight the high-quality air quality mon- industrial area. In addition, most past value of strategic partnerships between itoring data, to compare with research conducted so far has focused scientists and advocates to achieve com- the standards. Measurements of on Nairobi. Little work has been done mon goals. These efforts can and should pollution from regulatory gov- to characterise air quality in other cities inspire future research design and ques- ernment-operated monitors, the and towns, including the busy port of tions on air pollution science in Kenya, world over are considered as Mombasa. and need to be taken seriously.

90 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 91 LAW Special Feature

adherence to statutory provisions. For Legal audits examine all instance, the Employment Act provides Legal auditing is the interrogation aspects of an organization that an employment contract shall contain of an entity’s documentation, Legal audits: from registration, policies, and certain details of the employee, including policies, processes, and operating procedures (including anti- career progression within the organization. procedures, to ascertain money laundering, B2B contracts, A legal audit will inspect the records kept compliance with prevailing legal Antidote to B2C contracts, employment by the organization and monitor their con- formity to the legal provisions. requirements. Legal auditing handbooks, employment contracts, governance) and allows an entity to assess the need corporate How often should Legal Audits be to revise its policies or operations extend to external aspects such conducted? to comply with evolving legal legal risks as regulation. Legal Audits should be conducted reg- requirements. ularly depending on the business cycles Compliance and priority areas. In determining the Different entities are governed with dif- frequency, there should be consideration ferent laws and regulations. For instance, of industry, size of the organization and the legal instruments governing the run- the changes in the legislation within that ning of NGOs are different from the legal industry. instruments governing corporate bod- For example, for state corporations, BY MAKAYA OWEYA, ies. Additionally, the repercussions for the Mwongozo, which is a code of gov- Risk and Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Gikera & non-compliance differ from one entity to ernance for state corporations, gives a Vadgama Advocates another. NGOs are likely to lose donor guideline that governance audits should be funding while corporate entities will face done annually. he business environment is riddled shareholder scrutiny and demand a change Among the areas that the gover- with legal risks which emanate from of management. nance audit should cover is an audit on potential legal claims, compliance A legal audit will flag areas for com- compliance with laws and regulations. or regulatory requirements. These pliance and assist an entity meet any These clauses require that legal com- risks,T if not averted, can become consider- requirements set by law. In such scenarios, pliance audits for state corporations be able legal problems for businesses. the audits extend to assessing any returns done annually with comprehensive and Any business can mitigate its legal risk which ought to be filed and ensuring these independent legal audits done at least once by adopting “preventive lawyering” which are actually presented. every two years. is “… a legal specialty of preventing the Legal audits may also be conducted on disease of litigation. Litigation is a serious entity’s documentation, policies, processes, nance) and extend to external aspects such where contracts or policies were developed Information an ad hoc basis depending on the issues disease that leaves its victims financially and operating procedures, to ascertain com- as regulation. An organization may elect to at inception and do not account for growth Legal Auditors are legal practitioners who arising within the organization, industry and emotionally weakened and, in some pliance with prevailing legal requirements. limit or expand the scope of the legal audit within the organization or the changing are conversant with the changes in law. and the economic environment generally. cases, may lead to their economic demise.” Legal auditing allows an entity to assess depending on its priority areas where there legal environment or there are inadvertent Changes are introduced by new legisla- This will allow the organization to develop In the Kenyan market, we have seen the need to revise its policies or operations is a looming risk such as licensing, tax, delays or errors in failing to renew docu- tion, amendments to existing legislation timely and effective remedial measures the cost of legal liabilities from defamation to comply with evolving legal requirements. effecting of staff overhaul with the possibil- mentation such as immigration permits. and court decisions which impact on the that mitigate risks. claims that result in high monetary awards, They provide information for entities to ity of redundancy pay outs. In an example of a case we have operations of a business entity. So as to contractual breaches that have concluded use in the mitigation of liabilities and allow The role of legal audits falls into 4 areas: handled, a company did not amend the mitigate the risks, businesses need to align Conclusion in substantial awards of interest and costs, for categorization, and therefore strategy Risk Assessment, Compliance, Information provisions on gratuity from inception and themselves with changes in law. Unforeseen legal risks can cripple the mismanagement of employee relations around legal risk. and Monitoring. allowed the internal promotion of can- A legal audit will inform business entire operations of an entity and as such which have impeded business continuity. Legal auditing can be used preven- didates, including a clerk, who remained of new laws as well as the best ways to there is need to ensure that a business It is therefore imperative that busi- tatively and remedially. It is a proactive Risk Assessment with the company for over 40 years rising comply. It also forms a proper basis of is always “legally healthy.” Regular legal nesses conduct regular legal health checks approach that businesses can use to fore- Legal Audits interrogate the procedures to management. At the time of computing identifying areas requiring training of key audits will provide businesses with “a for their organizations to gain information stall, address and manage legal problems. and documentation within a company and the gratuity payable, the company sought staff members. An example of new legisla- peace of mind” by providing preventive from key operational areas of business as reveal any potential risks. An example to apply the law to remit 15 days of ser- tion that requires alteration of procedures measures to any potential legal risks. to the status of contracts, legal demands, Areas covered by Legal Audits is an audit of any employment contracts vice for each year worked however, the and assignment of personnel is the Data The cost of litigation is substantial, in licensing, and other regulatory require- Legal audits examine all aspects of an orga- where the Legal Auditor will assess the employee contested this and was allowed Protection Act which requires organiza- monetary and non-monetary terms. We ments. nization from registration, policies, and pro- extent to which Human Resource Policies to rely on the policy, which was quite tions to have data protection officers. therefore recommend the periodic conduct cedures (including anti-money laundering, reflect the organization’s growth and com- generous, that saw him net a huge sum of of legal audits to ensure that your organi- What is a legal audit? B2B contracts, B2C contracts, employment ply with provisions of Employment and money which the company had no finan- Monitoring zation’s legal health is sound. Legal auditing is the interrogation of an handbooks, employment contracts, gover- Labour Relations Law. There are cases cial reserves for. A legal audit forms basis for monitoring It is better to be safe than sorry.

92 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 93 HEALTH Sector Review

adolescence, and goes on to affect about 1% of the adult population. It runs strongly in families What is bipolar disorder, the and occurs equally in men and women. Less severe forms of the illness, often termed Untreated bipolar condition Kanye West lives with? bipolar II or bipolar spectrum disorders, disorder can have have less intense manic periods (hypo- adverse effects Untreated bipolar disorder can have adverse effects on a mania) as well as unstable or depressed on a person’s mood, and may affect a further 2-3% person’s life, including on their relationships and capacity to of adults. life, including on participate in society. But the condition can be treated. While classified descriptively their relationships as “mood disorders”, it’s more and capacity to • Poor sleep. likely these disorders represent participate in IAN HICKIE • A strong sense of oneness with the a failure of the internal body society. But the Professor of Psychiatry, University of world (circadian) clock to stay in condition can be Sydney • Irritable or elated moods. close synchronisation with treated. When these periods are less severe or our normal 24-hour light/ merican rapper Kanye West shorter, it’s typically referred to as hypoma- dark and activity/sleep has been making headlines nia. West’s recent public behaviour indicates cycles. recently as he mounts a cam- he may have been experiencing a hypomanic Some researchers therapeutic discoveries in modern med- challenging. Many common antide- paign to be elected president period. have proposed this fail- icine: lithium carbonate. Lithium con- pressant drugs are less effective for Aof the United States. Depressed periods, which often last ure of the internal cir- tinues to be used today as a “mood sta- bipolar disorder, or may lead to fur- We’ve seen a series of chaotic and weeks to months, are associated with: cadian system to main- biliser” for people with bipolar disorder. ther mood instability. emotional public outbursts, including • Overwhelming fatigue. tain strong rhythms is Lithium has been shown to induce Importantly, all medicines should during his first presidential campaign • Low moods. the true cause of bipolar a unique state of calming without seda- be combined with key behavioural appearance, as well as a string of inco- • Suicidal thoughts and disorder. tion in hypomania or mania, prevent features like regular work and social herent tweets which he subsequently behaviours. Indeed, switches from recurrence of further manic episodes rhythms, daily exercise, morning retracted. We also see mixed normal daily rhythms to manic and reduce suicidal behaviour. light exposure and regular sleep pat- Although the journey from celeb- states, where the per- periods commonly occur with But not everyone responds to lith- terns to have the greatest effects. rity to high public office is no longer son is very active seasonal changes in autumn and ium, and it does have side effects. In Psychological therapies may also implausible, it is tempting simply to or agitated but spring, when the day length (and high doses, it’s toxic to the brain, while play a role. dismiss West’s outbursts as yet another simultane- period of light exposure) varies most in therapeutic doses it may cause trem- display of 21st-century narcissism. ously very rapidly. or, thirst, urination, diarrhoea, nausea, Creative, perceptive, driven But he suffers from bipolarThe ancientdisor- distressed. Greeks This sits well with recent evidence showing acne and reduced thyroid function. People with bipolar disorder, often der, so it’s important we understandhad the view thatAnd regular exposure to daylight has profound effects One of lithium’s primary effects is between episodes of illness or when his behaviour in the context of his as the on the motor behaviour and moods of diurnal stabilisation of the circadian (body) receiving effective treatments, have mental illness. virtue was broaderill- (active during daylight) mammals. clock, probably via its direct biochemi- been frequently observed to be highly than our currentness Similarly, other factors that disrupt the nor- cal impact on the molecular machinery creative, socially sensitive, exquisite- What is bipolar disorder? understandingi s mal sleep-wake cycle can precipitate episodes, in the brain. ly perceptive, remarkably lucid, and Bipolar disorder, previouslyof morality.known Theychar- such as international travel, rotating shift-work, This has created interest in what having strong drive to pursue collec- as manic-depressive believedillness, involves virtue couldacter be- stimulant drugs and childbirth. other medical, psychological and tive social goals. alternating periods ofseen intense in anymania object, istically or in But we still have a lot more to learn about behavioural therapies may achieve the When we encounter public dis- (high energy and activity) and severe episodic rather than persistent, what causes bipolar disorder and what sparks same result—ideally with less risk. plays like West’s, before rushing to depression (low energythe and behaviour mood). of manypeople, people with bipolar disorder the manic episodes that come with it. Today, a range of other agents that judgement, we need to take a little Manic periods, which canas lastthe daysexpression have long of periods of being well and stabilise brain function (most nota- more time to consider the experience to weeks, are associatedexcellence with: or perfectionproductively engaged with their fami- Can bipolar disorder be treated? bly anti-epileptic compounds such as of the person at the centre of the • An intense internal drive to be lies, work and wider society. Bipolar dis- Untreated bipolar disorder can have adverse carbamazepine, sodium valproate and media storm, and the effects on their active and inability to sit still. order affects men and women equally. effects on a person’s life, including on their rela- lamotrigine) or target the brain’s cir- family. His wife Kim Kardashian • Grandiose ideas and motivation tionships and capacity to participate in society. cadian clock (by mimicking the normal West has implored compassion. to achieve big things. Who does bipolar disorder affect, But the condition can be treated. night-time release of the sleep hormone We still have a long way to go • Fast speech that’s difficult to and what causes it? In the late 1940s, Australian psychiatrist melatonin) are also used. before we can really appreciate the interrupt. The illness typically has its onset during John Cade made one of the most remarkable Often, providing effective treatment challenges of living with bipolar or for the depressive phase is the most any other major mental disorder.

94 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 95 ENVIRONMENT Sector Review

such as motorcycles locally called ‘boda-bodas’. Having them on mov- ing objects improves our spatial cov- erage and resolution. This means that instead of buying one device that only collects data in one area, you have one device that can collect data from multiple data points. This To make matters is a new innovation which means that data can be collected from a worse, most of the wider area including, off-road areas vehicles in Kampala that would normally be difficult to are pre-owned install static monitors. and, until 2018, the Since 2018, for our own research average fleet age purposes, we have deployed a net- was more than 15 work of over 80 devices across Uganda with over 45 in Kampala years. These vehicles and in other towns. Some of the have a faster rate AirQo monitors are installed in of wear and tear schools or at private premises, such CEOs must face uncertaintyand leading to a higher as shops. a number of monitors assume the ing and actions by city governments environmental The users of the data collected availability of constant power supply and regulators to control, better footprint. include government, public includ- and WiFi, and are designed for less manage and improve air quality in tackle it head-on ing businesses, individuals, and civil dusty environments. the Kampala area and beyond. society organisations, and academia. Unlike these systems, the AirQo For instance, Uganda is creating buses, private vehicles and motorbikes to ity monitoring system which was publicly So far, our data (which has been takes the considerations and con- new air quality regulations and data ENGINEER BAINOMUGISHA commute in and out every day. A great deal launched earlier this year. To my knowl- collected since 2018) indicates that straints of an African city into the from the AirQo network has been Associate Professor, Makerere University of pollution therefore comes from vehicle edge, this is the only locally developed sys- the levels of particulate matter peaks design. useful in informing possible targets. emissions and heavy traffic congestion. To tem that’s been designed and optimised to in the morning (between 6 and 9am), Having this data is useful for n Uganda, even though air pollution make matters worse, most of the vehicles help African cities—with limited resources then flattens in the afternoon and How do you hope this data will policymakers. For instance, we con- is a big challenge in parts of the coun- in Kampala are pre-owned and, until 2018, and poor infrastructure—to measure and peaks again after 5pm. This is consis- be used? tributed to the World Bank report try, there is hardly any air quality the average fleet age was more than 15 track air pollution trends. tent with major cities in other parts We hope that the air quality data on the Pollution Management and monitoring. Engineer Bainomugisha— years. These vehicles have a faster rate of AirQo devices primarily measure par- of the world. Overall, we’ve seen that and information from our network the Making of Prosperous Cities alongI with other scientists at Makerere wear and tear leading to a higher environ- ticulate matter—a mixture of solid particles Kampala’s particulate matter lev- can be used to inform decision-mak- Program. University—has developed a machine that mental footprint. And with just 30% paved in the air—which can have adverse effects els are about five times over World We also hope our data will raise monitors air quality. He explains how it road network, dust from unpaved road sur- on our health when we inhale them. Health Organisation guidelines. awareness among citizens about the works, and why it’s so important. faces and road construction activities will The devices continuously take samples Has this technology been used quality of air. We send out regular What are the main drivers of air pollu- contribute to particulate matter in the air. of air from a location and use a light scat- anywhere else and how does it com- monthly air quality calendars to the tion in Kampala and are there any indica- In addition to this, more than 90% of tering method to quantify the concentration pare to other air quality monitoring schools that host AirQo monitors so tions of how bad it is? households in Kampala rely on charcoal of particulate matter. These measurements systems? they can educate the children about Generally, I would say the main drivers and firewood as an energy source for are transmitted, in near real-time, to the Traditional air quality monitor- air pollution issues. of air pollution in Kampala are transport, cooking. cloud-based AirQo to predict local pollu- ing systems are expensive. They cost And we have developed an app industry, burning of wood or charcoal and And because there’s poor solid waste tion. hundreds of thousands of dollars that people can use to access histori- burning of waste. disposal, another key contributor of air The devices are locally designed to to set up and maintain and require Traditional air quality monitoring cal, real-time and forecast air quality Kampala is Uganda’s political capital pollution is the open burning of garbage. withstand the environmental conditions specialised expertise which is not systems are expensive. They cost data in the areas where they live or and financial district contributing to over You’ve started to manufacture machines of many African cities, such as dust and available in many places. This means hundreds of thousands of dollars work. This can inform decisions that 30% of Uganda’s GDP. The city hosts more that monitor air quality. How do they do extreme weather. They also include a wide only a few might be installed, result- minimise exposure to high levels than 32% of the country’s manufacturing this and who will be using them? range of data transmission and power ing in limited readings. to set up and maintain and require of air pollution, such as going out facilities and so industrial emissions from Kampala, like many other cities in options so they can operate in areas where Before starting the manufac- specialised expertise which is not during peak pollution hours. activity—such as metal processing, furni- sub-Saharan Africa, has a critical data gap there is limited access to power or poor ture of AirQo monitors at Makerere available in many places. This means ture, textiles and plastics—will contribute on the scale and magnitude of air pollution. internet connectivity. University, we experimented with only a few might be installed, resulting Maclina Birungi, Communications lead at a significant amount of pollution to the air. This challenge inspired my students The AirQo device can be deployed at some lower-cost monitors but these AirQo, Makerere University, contributed in limited readings. to the writing of this article. It’s a very busy city, with millions using and I to create AirQo, a low-cost air qual- static locations or on mobile platforms, didn’t fit the context. For example,

96 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 97 MEDICINE Commentary

vector, is also cheaper (around US$4) than Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines – Why the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine around US$20 and $33, respectively. Equitable distribution is now a global game changer As I have previously discussed, equi- table distribution of new vaccines is vital, especially for low- and middle-income Despite the Oxford vaccine having lower overall effectiveness than the Pfizer countries which don’t have the profile or or Moderna vaccines—at least at this interim stage—there are other success purchasing power of wealthier countries. factors to consider.record with no serious side-effects. GAVI—a global health partnership that aims to increase access to immunisation in poor countries—has worked for years to address this very point. It set up the COVAX initiative in 2020, which has access to 700 million doses of Covid vac- cine if clinical trials are successful. Oxford and AstraZeneca have previ- ously made their own commitments to provide a billion doses of their vaccine for low- and middle-income countries, with a commitment to provide 400 million doses before the end of 2020. Certainly, AstraZeneca has committed to provide more doses to countries outside of Europe and the US than any of its nearest com- petitors.

An excellent start These commitments will clearly not be enough for immediate global coverage, but it is an excellent start. Around 9% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, MICHAEL HEAD announced that the candidate vac- volunteers as two standard doses, results to get clarification on that. and the health systems around them are cine they are funding—dubbed which showed 62% effectiveness, fragile. With promises for equitable vac- Senior Research Fellow in Global Sputnik V—showed 92% efficacy and another group of volunteers Not the only measure Trust and confidence cine distribution, there is hope that the Health, University of Southampton in late-stage trials. Not to be out- as a smaller dose followed by a Despite the Oxford vaccine having in any Covid-19 poorer populations around the world will n the long dark tunnel that has done, Moderna then announced standard second dose. This raised lower overall effectiveness than the Pfizer not be forgotten. The global health com- been 2020, November stands that its candidate vaccine showed effectiveness to 90%. or Moderna vaccines—at least at this vaccine will be crucial munity must keep its focus on this area. out as the month that light 94.5% efficacy. It’s not immediately clear why interim stage—there are other success to its success. The What does this announcement mean appeared. Some might see it The latest Covid-19 vaccine this is the case. Professor Andrew factors to consider. Safety is one, and appropriate pausing for the world? Potentially a huge amount. asI a bright light, others as a faint announcement comes from Oxford Pollard, one of the lead researchers the Oxford vaccine is so far reported to But remember that the trials are not yet light—but it is unmistakably a University. And, as with all of the on the project, described the results have a good safety record with no serious of the trial to carefully complete and, at the time of writing, the light. above announcements, it came via as “intriguing”. He also highlighted side-effects. investigate for safety regulators have yet to approve any of the On November 9, Pfizer press release. Its vaccine candidate, that the use of lower doses means Another crucial factor is storage. The concerns generated new vaccine candidates. Even when those announced the interim results of developed in partnership with that there would be more vaccine Oxford vaccine can be stored in a domes- hurdles are cleared, we still need to vacci- its candidate vaccine, showing it AstraZeneca, showed an overall doses available. tic fridge. The need for sustained freezing much publicity nate the world, which requires successfully to be “more than 90% effective” effectiveness of 70.4%. There were no cases of severe across the whole vaccine journey from fac- despite the reassuring navigating the complex obstacles of dis- in preventing symptomatic Covid- In case that sounds disap- Covid-19 in those who received the tory to clinic at ultra-low temperatures— outcomes of the tance, terrain, politics, cold-chain logistics 19 in late-stage human trials. The pointing, bear in mind that these vaccine. And it seems to generate as seen with the Pfizer vaccine—may be a and human behaviour. news was greeted with joy. are interim results and the figures a protective immune response in problem for many countries, but especially safety review and trial The global pandemic is not over and A couple of days later, the might change. Also, the Oxford older people. Although we’ll have poorer countries. recommencement. won’t be for a long time yet—but the light Russian Direct Investment Fund vaccine was given to one group of to wait for the final breakdown of The Oxford vaccine, based on a viral is getting brighter.

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therefore reduce transmission. access to affordable rapid tests, at less tracing since the start of its epidemic, and Lessons from around the Chinese authorities have also acted than US$5 per test, particularly for low there are currently less than 100 reported with speed to protect a population that and middle-income countries. cases per day in the country, and no recent world on fighting Covid’s remembers the SARS outbreak and hence Rapid tests have been trialled in other deaths. Anyone who is infected is hospital- takes control of an epidemic seriously, part of Europe, for example in Liverpool ised, which helps to enforce isolation, while showing high levels of compliance with in the UK. In cases where there is a dedi- contacts are isolated at home with the second wave public health measures. People are willing cated test site and trained personnel, these immediate neighbourhood placed under JIMMY WHITWORTH The World Health Organization stresses the importance of to wear masks and accept other inter- tests returned positive results for 76.8% a local lockdown. There has been clear not just identifying cases, but following them up and giving Professor of International Public Health, London ventions are part of a commitment to the of true infections, and returned negative communication and the issue is seen as School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine greater good at the expense of individual results for 99.6% of people who did not non-political and a matter of public health. support. They estimate that on average each case needs three freedoms. This is accompanied by strict have Covid-19. South Korea, meanwhile, has used days of work from the testing and tracing team. s the northern hemisphere moves into enforcement from the government which The implications of this are that if retrospective contact tracing to investigate winter, coronavirus rates are rising in has at times deployed drones using loud- there is a general positivity rate of 2.2% outbreaks and understand where trans- parts of Europe and the USA. Experts speakers to rebuke citizens who are not in the local population, as suggested by mission is occurring. As a result, many are warning of a long winter ahead following the rules. the most recent surveys, for every 1,000 bars, night clubs, karaoke bars and places asA Covid-19 and influenza put the squeeze on In Europe, Slovakia instituted mass people tested, 17 will be identified correct- of worship have been closed. hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In testing of their entire population of 4 ly as infected and advised to self-isolate, Taiwan, where there have been no response to the threat presented by the sec- million over two weekends during October five uninfected people will be incorrectly reported deaths since May, has probably ond wave, European countries and many US and November. About 95% of the targeted identified as infected and unnecessarily the most effective testing and tracing pro- states have instituted population lockdowns population has now been reached and advised to self-isolate and four who are gramme. Cases are followed up twice daily that involve varying restrictions on movement, tested, with 38,000 positive cases being infected will be incorrectly identified as by telephone, text messages or home visits meeting people, work, schooling, shopping, hos- asked to go home and self-isolate. This uninfected. Since those four people will to reinforce the self-isolation message, and pitality and entertainment. represents a 1% positivity rate. This is an probably have low viral loads, they may to offer support, which can include meal We have seen from the first wave that, expected rate for a European country’s not be very infectious. and grocery delivery. Contact tracing is when instigated at scale, these measures can population at present. Slovakia also used The upshot is that if people take up highly effective, identifying on average shrink the epidemic but at a tremendous cost rapid antigen testing, which despite having testing and follow the advice (which is 20-30 contacts per case. to society and economic life. When applied for a variable false negative rate depending on not guaranteed) this approach has the Crucially, contact tracing only works a long time such as in Melbourne, Australia, who does the tests and in what setting, can potential to reduce transmission and hence if it’s done properly. The World Health which locked down for nearly four months, give results within 30 minutes, is cheaper new infections by at least 50% in the short Organization stresses the importance of the number of cases can be reduced to close to than PCR, and can be done without the term. not just identifying cases, but following zero with rigorous wearing of masks, night-time need for a specialised laboratory. them up and giving support. They estimate curfews, closed schools, strict travel restrictions The World Health Organization has Effective contract tracing that on average each case needs three days and heavy policing. supported the development and facilitated Vietnam has used aggressive contact of work from the testing and tracing team. But is there another way? Ten months into Clearly, this can only be feasible if the the pandemic, what have we learned and what number of daily cases is brought down other measures do we have in our collective to manageable numbers, which is not the toolkit? Vietnam has used aggressive case in many European countries, nor in contact tracing since the parts of the US. Mass testing start of its epidemic, and Unfortunately, with case numbers as China, having controlled the first wave of high as they are in these places, the best the epidemic and with fewer than 100 reported there are currently less than approach for western countries getting cases per day, now use a mass testing strategy 100 reported cases per through the winter seems to be to continue whenever a new cluster appears. This was day in the country, and no to use national or local lockdowns. But successfully conducted in Wuhan, a city of 11 recent deaths. Anyone who these should be combined with new tools, million in May, and the cities of Qingdao and is infected is hospitalised, including mass testing, to bring down the Kashgar in October. which helps to enforce number of new infections so that effective This has been carried out efficiently using isolation, while contacts are case detection and contact tracing with PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of isolated at home with the local follow-up and support can control batches of five to ten samples at a time, then continuing chains of transmission. going back to test individual samples if a batch immediate neighbourhood Of course, the success of all these tests positive. The rationale for this approach placed under a local measures will depend on understanding, is to find people who did not know they were lockdown. trust and participation from all population infected so they can be advised to isolate and groups.

100 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 101 ENVIRONMENT Opinion

African countries need more air quality The recent OpenAQ Global as app developers and designers, infrastructure in Africa, providing Assessment of Government are able to develop novel interac- a relatively consistent supply of Monitoring collated information on tions and visual experiences with the quality data. There’s a network of data - and sharing it unlocks its benefits the availability of open-air quality data, to engage specific audiences in By making government-run stations and some To tackle the problem of poor air quality and its effect on people’s health, it’s necessary to measurements from government-run new ways. monitoring industry-run stations reporting understand how much air pollution people are exposed to. This is achieved through air quality monitoring networks globally. The Some examples of applications information to the South African Air Quality monitoring. assessment found that only 49% are those that combine air quality open, its Information System. of countries’ governments produce data with other information to offer value and Much of this data is available in REBECCA GARLAND open air quality data. This leaves advice on travel routes, where to impact is near real-time and can be viewed or about 1.4 billion people living in live and even to encourage medica- downloaded from the website. But, Principal Researcher in Climate and Air Quality countries without access to such tion adherence. This is only possible greatly as pointed out by OpenAQ, the sys- Modelling Research Group, Council for Scientific increased and Industrial Research data. when there is a reliable supply of tem doesn’t provide programmatic Nine of the 13 most populous credible, detailed data through “pro- beyond the access to its data. That makes it less PAUL PLANTINGA countries where governments don’t grammatic” interfaces. These allow needs of the useful. A better programming inter- Research Specialist: Digital Strategies and have a long-term outdoor air quality developers to connect their appli- immediate face might require additional tech- Engagement, Human Sciences Research Council monitoring programme are in Africa. cations directly to the data source data owner nical resources and data publishing Their combined population is about rather than having to download and or user, controls, but it’s possible. A similar he harm that air pollution is doing on 700 million people. import the data manually. which is service has been developed with the the African continent seems to be grow- To tackle the problem of poor In addition, access to the mea- South African Weather Service for ing. Estimates of premature mortality air quality and its effect on people’s surements from robust and accurate often a weather measurements, forecast and attributed to air pollution have increased health, it’s necessary to understand reference instruments are needed to government alert data. fromT about 570,000 in 1990 to over 700,000 in how much air pollution people are assess the performance of lower-cost entity or South African Air Quality 2013. In the same period, premature deaths from exposed to. This is achieved through air quality sensors. These sensors industrial Information System data is used by unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and childhood air quality monitoring. can provide “hyper-local” informa- facility. public officials, the research commu- malnutrition have decreased across Africa. tion on air quality which won’t be nity, and some civil society organisa- Many challenges also remain for the conti- Open access to data unlocks possible with reference instruments. tions. But, there’s a broader group of nent to reach the Sustainable Development Goals new ideas By opening data, official moni- young engineers, scientists, journal- related to air quality. The need is not only for more mon- toring and reporting on air quality ists and activists who could use and But these estimates have high levels of uncer- itoring infrastructure. The data it can be complemented by data from apply the data. Some of these poten- tainty, because of the shortage of air quality data produces should be accessible, so other sources and sectors. The result tial uses are local and personal. The they’re based on. So, while it appears that the that they can be used to make a will be more localised and relevant data can answer questions like “why scale of the problem is large and increasing, it’s difference. solutions to support decisions. is my asthma worse in winter?” or difficult to quantify it accurately. What’s needed By making monitoring informa- “is this power station polluting our is monitoring on the spot. tion open, its value and impact is Getting more from the town’s air?”. Current assessments rely heavily on a limited greatly increased beyond the needs infrastructure Finally, as the open data charter number of terrestrial measurements of air pollu- of the immediate data owner or user, South Africa has some of the most emphasises, it’s not sufficient to sim- tion. They use air quality models and information which is often a government entity mature air quality legislation and ply open data. Governments, civil from satellites to fill in the gaps. In areas where or industrial facility. By opening society and technical partners need there’s less information on pollution sources and data, governments and industry can to build capacity for reusing and levels, filling in the gaps accurately is harder to increase people’s trust in the find- innovating with air quality data, and do. This is the case across Africa. ings. It can also create opportunities understanding what it means for for a wider community of users to long-term health, the local economy, Lack of accurate estimates analyse and reuse the information. and day-to-day decisions. A study by UNICEF estimated that only 6% of Opening data includes more By making air quality informa- African children live within 50km of an air qual- than just making air quality indices tion more accessible and by enabling ity monitor. In North America and Europe this public. And it’s more than making a wider community of data users, figure is over 70% of children. This analysis for data available to researchers upon open data unlocks the potential of Africa is most likely an overestimate, as it includ- request, or even downloadable from the large investment by governments ed some low-cost air quality monitors. These have a website—such as from the City of into long-term monitoring infra- much shorter lives and are less accurate than Cape Town Open Data Portal. The structure for a much larger range of reference instruments, such as those used in most real value of open data is unlocked applications and benefits to society. monitoring by government regulators. when creative intermediaries, such

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state. In fact, offsetting global warm- Applying an approach used in projected to happen with greenhouse ing using solar radiation management the science of attribution, the study gas warming. Dimming the sun could reduce could increase drought risk in Asia, assessed how solar geoengineer- But these findings are specific to the Sahel, and South America. It could ing could influence the likelihood of the study area, the event analysed, future drought risk in Cape also damage the ozone layer and shift droughts as severe as the Day Zero the solar geoengineering deployment the geography of vector-borne diseases drought in the future using a climate design, and the climate model used. such as malaria. model. According to the climate model Changes in any of these factors could Town – but there’s a catch A clearer understanding of poten- results: lead to quite different results. tial benefits and side-effects of solar A drought severe enough to cause Research on the impact of solar geoengineering on the climate in Africa is geoengineering is needed to inform the 2018 Day Zero event (this is a Implications, trade-offs and ethics very scarce. The few available studies only assessed its impact on regional debates of potential deployment, espe- 1 in 100 years event today) would Engineering the climate to benefit climate, while many climate impacts are felt by society at the local scale. cially for relatively under-researched occur about once every six years in the Cape Town is clearly not a feasible climate risks in developing countries. future under a high emission climate solution to the climate crisis. But the ROMARIC C. ODOULAMI scenario. results highlight the potential trade- The Cape Town Day Zero drought Solar geoengineering could reduce offs that exist across regions from a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Cape Town Research on the impact of solar the risk of Day Zero level droughts in solar geoengineering deployment per- CHRISTOPHER TRISOS geoengineering on the climate in Africa Cape Town by more than 90% when spective. Senior Research Fellow, University of Cape Town is very scarce. The few available stud- compared to a future with continued While solar geoengineering might ies only assessed its impact on regional high greenhouse gas emissions through produce beneficial reduction in MARK NEW climate, while many climate impacts to the end of the 21st century. drought risk in Cape Town, it could Director, African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town are felt by society at the local scale. In The underlying mechanism for this simultaneously decrease rainfall in a recent study we examined the impact reduction in drought risk appears to parts of West Africa and the summer espite a recent slight decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic, green- of solar geoengineering on drought be that solar geoengineering offsets a rainfall regions of southern Africa. house gas emissions continue to accumulate in the atmosphere. and water availability at the local scale southward shift in the weather systems Solar geoengineering carries the They are projected to rise again once the economy recovers. through the lens of the Cape Town that bring rain to Cape Town that is real risk of producing “winners” in The current pledges by governments across the world to reduce “Day Zero” drought. some regions, but “losers” in other parts Demissions are insufficient to keep global warming within safe levels (that is, Day Zero was a severe water crisis of the world. For instance, studies have below 2°C). Although with recent developments in China and the US, the during the 2017-2018 period, where Solar geoengineering is highly shown that solar geoengineering could target might once again be within reach if all nations actually deliver on close to 4 million Cape Town residents controversial and is often lead to unequal distribution of benefits their pledges. were almost left without any water fol- framed as a stop-gap measure and impacts on economies, infectious More radical proposals to reduce climate change risks are being debated. lowing a three-year long (2015-2017) to decrease climate change disease and agriculture, among others. Among these is solar geoengineering (also called solar radiation management severe drought. The likelihood of such impacts and buy more time to Importantly, it doesn’t deal with the or modification). The most commonly proposed solar radiation management droughts is expected to increase by up reduce emissions. related crisis of ocean acidification technique involves the deliberate injection of sulfur aerosols into the strato- to 80% by 2100. from elevated carbon dioxide. sphere—the layer of the atmosphere around 15km above Earth’s surface—to Which voices will be most power- create a thin veil that would reflect a small amount of sunlight back to space. ful in governance of solar geoengineer- This in turn would cool Earth and offset greenhouse gas warming. ing research and potential negotiations Although solar radiation management has never been tested outdoors, over a possible future solar geoengi- large volcanic eruptions that have injected aerosols high into the atmo- neering deployment? Will equity be at sphere and briefly cooled the climate are evidence that increasing strato- the core of any decision and will those spheric aerosols could cool the planet. But solar geoengineering only offsets most at risk have a substantial say? warming; it doesn’t reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate Existing climate negotiations may change. Therefore, any approach that relies on solar radiation management lead one to be sceptical. It could pro- while continuing to burn fossil fuels would be extremely high risk. duce strong regional trade-offs among Solar geoengineering is highly controversial and is often framed as a countries, especially those in the global stop-gap measure to decrease climate change impacts and buy more time to South that are often excluded from reduce emissions. It’s also important to underline that even such an emer- geoengineering conversations. gency deployment might need to last a century or more. Many researchers This is a reminder of the impor- worry that even raising the possibility of solar geoengineering could reduce tance of rapidly reducing greenhouse motivation to lower greenhouse gas emissions. gas emissions rather than relying on Also, solar geoengineering wouldn’t return the climate to a pre-industrial dimming the sun to reach the global goal of keeping the global warming level below 2°C.

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This distribution system made the leading streaming platform for Netflix could have better chanc- the industry widely popular across Nigerian contents) shows that the es in penetrating the country’s elite Africa and its diaspora. But it reality is more complicated. market, as richer people in Nigeria prevented Nollywood from consol- When the company decided and across Africa have easier access idating its economy and raising the to move its headquarters from to reliable power supply and inter- quality of film production. Piracy Manhattan to Lagos it encoun- net. dramatically eroded distribution tered countless difficulties. They This might be the reason why revenues and producers had trou- were mainly connected to the costs MultiChoice, the South African tele- ble monetising the distribution of infrastructure development in communication giant controlling of their films. Nollywood prior- Nigeria and to the hostility of much of Nollywood distribution itised straight-to-video distribu- local distributors who controlled across Africa through its Africa tion because cinema theatres had Nollywood’s economy since its cre- Magic channels, has reacted ner- almost disappeared in the country ation. vously to Netflix’s increased inter- (as in most other parts of Africa) est in African markets. MultiChoice It remains to as a result of the catastrophic eco- Weak Internet wants Netflix to be more closely be seen how nomic crisis that affected Nigeria Internet connection in Nigeria is regulated. good these in the 1980s. still too weak and expensive to These two aren’t the only tele- developments New multiplexes have emerged guarantee easy access to streaming communication “superpowers” since the beginning of the 2000s. platforms. As a result, Nollywood in the field. France’s Canal Plus will be for However, today there are only content distributed by iROKO.tv and the Chinese StarTimes have Nollywood about 150 widescreens for a pop- and Netflix circulates mostly in the also made a few investments in producers. Until ulation of almost two hundred mil- diaspora. Netflix is aware of this Nollywood over the past few years. now, foreign lion people. The cinemas that exist problem and is investing in infra- The competition among all these investments are often too expensive for most structures to secure a better con- actors will probably have a positive in Nollywood of the population that used to buy nection for its Nigerian audiences. impact for viewers across Nigeria have mostly and watch Nollywood films when But larger investments seem and the continent. It could bring translated into they were distributed on tapes. to be necessary to produce a sig- lower subscription fees for stream- Within this context, many in nificant impact on audiences’ ing and TV content packages. “more of the the industry thought that stream- behaviour. Accessing Nollywood There are also likely to be new same” content. ing could be the best solution to the films via piracy or local screen- investments in content production Working During the Toronto International Film industry’s problems with distribu- ing venues will continue to be, at and infrastructures. And there’s conditions What Netflix’s involvement Festival 2018, Netflix announced the tion. However, a closer look to the least in my view, the key strategy larger continental and global expo- for crews and acquisition of worldwide exclusive distri- history of what has been labelled adopted by the largest percentage sure for Nollywood films in the actors have in Nigeria’s massive film bution rights for Nollywood star Genevieve the “Nigerian Netflix” (iROKO.tv, of Nigerian viewers. offing. remained Nnaji’s debut film as director, the comedy the same – Lionheart. The film marked the first Netflix basically, low industry really means original film from Nigeria. Many saw this as the beginning of a new era in the rela- budgets and Is Netflix going ALESSANDRO JEDLOWSKI tionship between one of the world largest quick shooting to transform Collaborateur scientifique FNRS, Université streaming platforms and Africa’s most pro- schedules. Nollywood? And Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) lific film industry. how significant But, is this actually true? Is Netflix will its impact on lobal streaming service Netflix going to transform Nollywood? And how the Nigerian film set its eyes a few years ago on significant will its impact on the Nigerian Nigeria’s film industry, better film industry be? industry be? known as Nollywood. Distribution Gof Nigerian movies on Netflix started Difficult questions around 2015. At the time the American These are not easy questions to answer. giant bought the rights of blockbusters Nollywood’s economy and modes of pro- such as Kunle Afolayan’s October 1st, Biyi duction are unlike those of most other film Bandele’s Fifty and several others, after they industries. Over the past 20 years Nigerian had already been distributed in Nigerian films have circulated mostly on videotapes cinemas. and Video Compact Discs (VCDs).

106 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 107 ART/CULTURE Opinion

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quality and the repetition of film contents their production budgets. a r a m h i b s r i i a e T T a o c r G c V D 108 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 109 SCIENCE Opinion

flu vaccine reduces the likelihood, and the Why it matters that the coronavirus is severity, of disease. The question is therefore not whether changing – and what this means for the vaccines will be effective, but rather how effective they will be. The severity of the mismatch matters, but the only way to vaccine effectiveness determine its impact in this case is through scientific study, and to my knowledge, no data on that has yet been collected. In Both the Pfizer and Moderna Eight of these 23 mutations affect the The increase in frequency is concerning, other words, it’s too early to say whether vaccines work by training our spike protein. This matter because the as it suggests – but does not prove – that and how this new variant will influence immune systems to recognize a spike protein enables the virus to enter the B.1.1.7 isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are the overall effectiveness of the Pfizer and specific version of the viral spike human cells, and it is a key target of our more transmissible than the original virus. Moderna vaccines. protein. immune response, both in fighting off the Some have estimated that the new virus virus during infection and in protecting us may be up to 70% more transmissible than Should people still get the new DAVID KENNEDY from disease following vaccination with the the old virus. While these estimates are con- mRNA vaccine? Assistant Professor of Biology, Penn State Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. sistent with the data, it is entirely too early The appearance of this new B.1.1.7 makes If the changes to the spike protein help to make a definitive conclusion. it even more important that people get new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is the virus enter human cells more easily, If this increase in transmissibility is vaccinated as soon as possible. spreading rapidly in the United then the virus could be transmitted from confirmed, it might be due to the mutations make more people sick. work by training our immune systems to If this new version is more transmissible, Kingdom, with over 1,400 cases person to person more readily. in the spike protein that allow it to bind However, I am not aware of good evi- recognize a specific version of the viral or if the vaccine is less effective because since September. SARS-CoV-2, the These mutations may also alter how more tightly to the ACE2 receptor, which dence that there is any difference in sever- spike protein. The version of the spike pro- of a virus-vaccine mismatch, more peo- Avirus that causes Covid-19, generally accu- well the host’s immune system combats the provides a gateway for the virus to enter ity of disease caused by the new version tein used by the vaccines was designed to ple will need to be vaccinated to achieve mulates mutations slowly over time, but virus, potentially reducing the efficacy of human cells. of this virus compared with the older one. match that of the old virus, not that of the herd immunity and get this disease under this new variant had accumulated many the current vaccines. But it might also be due to any of the That said, with so few known cases, it may B.1.1.7 virus. This means that the vaccines control. mutations quickly. What is different about this new ver- other changes to the virus. still be too early to say. might become less effective than expected Moreover, we now have proof that the If this new version of the virus is here sion of SARS-CoV-2? should this new virus spread widely. spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can change to stay, as it appears to be, what does that Samples of the new virus isolated from Is it more dangerous? If so, why? Will the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines Vaccine-virus mismatch is an ongo- drastically in a short time, and so it is crit- mean? Will this new version of the virus patients suggest that this variant has been If the new version, B.1.1.7, is indeed more still be effective against this new ing challenge for scientists charged with ical that we get the virus under control to replace the old one? Will it be easier to increasing in relative frequency over the transmissible than the old virus, it will be strain? developing the seasonal flu vaccine. But prevent it from evolving further and com- catch? And, most important, will the cur- past three months. more dangerous in the sense that it will Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines even with a virus-vaccine mismatch, the pletely undermining vaccination efforts. rent vaccines still be effective? This interests me because I am an evolutionary microbiologist who studies Vaccine-virus mismatch is an ongoing challenge for the link between the transmission and evo- lution of infectious diseases. In particular, I scientists charged with developing the seasonal flu spend a lot of time considering the effects vaccine. But even with a virus-vaccine mismatch, of vaccines on pathogen evolution and the the flu vaccine reduces the likelihood, and the effects of pathogen evolution on the impact of vaccines. severity, of disease.

What is the new SARS-CoV-2 mutant that has emerged? As the spike proteins on the surface the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutate the shape chang- es, it may affect the ability of the coronavi- rus to infect cells. The new version of SARS-CoV-2 – named the B.1.1.7 lineage – is spreading in the U.K. and possibly beyond. The dif- ferences between the old and new virus include 23 mutations in the virus’s genetic code that have altered four viral proteins.

110 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 111 SOCIETY Opinion Has the skin lightener industry learned from Black Lives Matter?

Ending the most dangerous dimensions of the trade – the promotion of racist beauty ideals and the use of products containing mercury and other toxic ingredients – will require ongoing consciousness- raising and effective government regulation.

lighteners, now estimated to reach US$24 to fade blemishes and dark spots, includ- LYNN M. THOMAS billion by 2027? ing freckles. Others used them to achieve History Professor, University of Washington Our mission is to share knowledge and an overall lighter complexion. Racialised inform decisions. beauty ideals—rooted in the history of slav- Never before have activists and consum- ery, colonialism, and segregation—shaped lack Lives Matter activism has ers in so many different countries simulta- these desires. jolted the skin lightener industry. neously challenged major cosmetics manu- In the 1920s and 1930s, many white In June, manufacturers of skin facturers with such persistent criticism. Yet, consumers swapped waxes and bleaches for lighteners joined other corpora- my research on the layered history of skin tanning lotions as seasonal tanning came Btions in voicing support for the racial lightening in the US, South Africa, and East to embody new forms of white privilege. justice movement. Critics quickly pointed Africa suggests that the companies’ actions With this shift, skin lighteners became out the hypocrisy of voicing such support are neither new nor sufficient. Ending the cosmetics primarily associated with people in the US while continuing to sell skin most dangerous dimensions of the trade— of colour. For black and brown consumers whitening products globally. Such products, the promotion of racist beauty ideals and living in places like the US, South Africa they say, play off of and promote racism the use of products containing mercury or Kenya where racism and colourism and colourism (which is prejudice based and other toxic ingredients—will require flourished, even slight differences in skin on preference for people with lighter skin ongoing consciousness-raising and effective colour could carry significant political and tones) in Asia and Africa. government regulation. social consequences. (Recently, some white Manufacturers’ responses have varied. women have returned to skin lighteners, Johnson & Johnson agreed to stop selling Many names, many uses now marketed as “anti-aging creams” and Neutrogena Fine Fairness and Clean & Manufacturers have long used a variety of “skin brighteners”.) Clear Fairness. Bigger players agreed to names and messages to sell skin lighteners. During the 1950s and 1960s, manufac- lesser changes. L’Oreal, the world’s largest This variety stems partly from the com- turers softened their marketing language. cosmetics company, will remove references petitive nature of capitalist marketing and Surveys in the US found that many African to “white”, “fair” and “light” from marketing partly from the diverse reasons why people American consumers took offence at the its Garnier skin products. buy these products. term “bleaching”—with its connotations of This move acknowledges that such In the early 1900s, skin lighteners were “whitening”—and preferred the language of language promotes a narrow and anti- usually marketed as “freckle waxes” or lightening and toning. Hence, “skin lighten- Black vision of beauty by presenting pale “skin bleaches”. They ranked among the ers” and “skin toners” replaced “skin bleach- complexions as the ideal. Unilever, whose world’s most popular cosmetics and often es”. Brands like Bleach ‘N Glow became Ponds and Vaseline lines dominate sales in contained mercury. Consumers included Ultra Glow. South Asia, will also alter the name of its white, black and brown women. Unilever’s plan to swap “glow” for “fair” top-selling brand: Fair & Lovely will soon By the early 1930s, South Africa manu- might be new for some Asian markets but become Glow & Lovely. facturers were marketing skin lighteners to the language of glow and brightness has Are these meaningful changes? Will black consumers. been around in the US and South Africa for they put a dent in the global trade in skin Some women used waxes and bleaches some time.

112 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 113 SOCIETY Africanacity is using scrap metal Opinion to make affordable film equipment Criticism forced manufacturers to adjust in other ways. In 1971 Kenya’s post- colonial government banned Ambi skincare ads for abusing “the dignity of Africans” by We’re inspired by Paul Kihuha who saw a chance to make a claiming that “new Africans” were “light difference by turning scrap metal into shooting equipment, skinned Africans who used Ambi”. Black Consciousness organisers in South Africa making it easier and cheaper for filmmakers to make movies. denounced the same ads. Ambi responded by adopting a new slogan – “the clear, natu- At Absa, we call this Africanacity. For us it’s not just a word, ral look” – and creating ads with an earthy sensibility. it’s a part of who we are and our commitment to working with you to find a way to get things done. Lessons from an anti-apartheid victory In 1991 South African activists #WeLoveAfricanacity achieved more than marketing concessions from manufacturers. What happened pro- absabank.co.ke vides important lessons for today. A coalition of progressive medical pro- fessionals and Black Consciousness organ- isers convinced the apartheid government, in its waning months, to ban all cosmetics containing depigmenting agents including harmful mercury and hydroquinone, by then the most common active ingredient. They convinced the government to become the first in the world to prohibit cosmetic advertisements from making any claims to “bleach”, “lighten” or “whiten” skin. Like today’s concessions to Black Lives Matter, ening in her 2012 short film Yellow Fever. South Africa’s regulations were the result In 1991 South African South Africa dermatologist Ncoza Dlova of broad-based antiracist activism, the activists achieved more holds educational events and campaigns to anti-apartheid movement. teach about the dangers of skin lighteners The South African efforts achieved than marketing concessions and the beauty of natural skin colour. mixed results. On the one hand, activists from manufacturers. Somali-American activist Amira Adawe effectively raised awareness about the phys- What happened provides and her organisation Beautywell does simi- ical and psychological harm of skin light- lar outreach. They pressured online retailer ening. This led to decreased sales during important lessons for today. Amazon to stop selling products that con- the 1980s. After the 1991 regulations were tain mercury. Most recently, they lobbied implemented, in-country manufacture shut- the US Congress for $2 million in new tered and supply dried up. Demand returned as well. During the funding for research and public education But these gains did not persist. The sup- 2000s, a new generation of users emerged, on the dangers of skin lighteners. ply of banned skin lighteners crept back as often unaware of earlier struggles against L’Oreal’s and Unilever’s rebranding traders smuggled them in from elsewhere. skin lighteners and the dangers they posed. campaigns are inadequate. Combating the Soon, domestic manufacture re-emerged, In post-apartheid South Africa, as else- harm of skin lightening in the twenty-first this time in secret. On occasion, govern- where, deeply embedded forms of racism century requires raising consumer aware- ment officials have raided stashes of skin and colourism mean that paler skin tones ness and challenging racist beauty ideals. It lighteners. Much more illegal inventory has are often still associated with beauty and also requires that governments enforce and slipped their notice. Some officials com- success. strengthen cosmetic regulations. plain that they have insufficient resources Over the past decade, some African to monitor all cosmetics products. Other women have targeted that association. Lynn M. Thomas’s latest book Beneath the observers blame government corruption Kenyan artist Ng’endo Mukii offered a Surface: A Transnational History of Skin Lighteners is available from Wits University and apathy. powerful critical reflection on skin light- Press and from Duke University Press

BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 114 Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 115 ANNIVESARYADVERTISING EDITION Beyond Business

Pre-contract, advertising agen- Advertising campaigns: What you don’t see cies over-promise and withhold infor- mation. Often, the senior executives Research shows who pitch to the client are promised that advertising to work on the actual campaign, yet junior employees end up working on agencies and its post-contract. Other advertising clients act agencies list clients on their website opportunistically who they have done menial, or no, both before and work for, giving a misleading impres- after the signing sion of their credibility. of a contract. A particularly unique trait of advertising agencies is their prior- itisation of winning awards, rather than doing what is best for the client’s return-on-investment. They might suggest, for example, the cli- ent pays about US$8990 for a televi- sion commercial, with the intention outstanding campaign off that. of using the campaign to win an A particularly unique In some cases, marketing man- advertising award. The client in this trait of advertising agers may blame advertising agen- case would have benefited more from agencies is their cies for ‘poor work’. This is done spending the money elsewhere. to encourage their board to hire an Clients act opportunistically prioritisation of alternative advertising agency with pre-contract by exploiting advertis- winning awards, rather whom the marketing manager has a ing agencies and withholding infor- than doing what is personal relationship with. mation. They might promise to pay Be that as it may, opportunis- the advertising agency for 80 hours best for the client’s tic behaviour in these relationships of work, yet intend to subtly ask return-on-investment. will continue to prevail. While there the advertising agencies for 10 more are sincerely altruistic people out other. Beneath the glamorous award cere- it happens. It concludes with a discus- hours of work during the process demands of larger clients. Other there, opportunism is inherent in RAEESAH CHOHAN monies, witty campaigns by our favourite sion on how today’s client–agency dynam- without extra pay. Some clients steal agencies create separate entities, to human behaviour. This is evident Senior Lecturer of Marketing, University of fast-food joints and jumping on the lat- ics can be improved. One suggestion, for the creative ideas that advertising work with competing brands from by the cases, such as Facebook and Cape Town est Instagram challenge bandwagon are example, is a simple two-way communica- agencies have pitched to them. the same industry. For example, Cambridge Analytica; Volkswagen’s deceptive behaviours. A case in point is the tion. Both advertising agencies and clients Once the honeymoon phase is Entity A works with ‘Betty’s Burgers’ Dieselgate; and the North Face- he advertising and media industry, Wimpy-McDonald’s scandal. After pitching should clearly state what their objectives over, the opportunism grows. Both and Entity B works with ‘Bob’s Wikipedia scandals. like many, have taken a hit from the an idea to McDonald’s, employees of adver- and available resources are. This will set the parties continue to withhold infor- Burgers’. In the case where allocated That said, favourable working Covid-19 pandemic. But, unlike a tising agency OwenKessel Leo Burnett expectations of the relationship, to avoid mation to maintain an advantage human and financial resources are relationships can be fostered by two- host of others, it’s been fragile for a began working at a new advertising agency, misunderstandings, assumptions or tit-for- over the other. Advertising agencies agreed in advance, some agencies way communication, accountability numberT of years. Global advertising spend ‘The Odd Number’. There, they pitched tat behaviour. overcharge by misrepresenting their fail to disclose to the client when an from both parties, seeking an appro- is forecasted to fall by 9.1% by 2021. the same idea that they had pitched to We interviewed account managers at actual hours working on the cam- employee has left their agency. This priate culture-fit early on, being fair Advertising agencies are faced with McDonald’s. In the end, the competing fast- leading advertising agencies, representing paign. They also mislead their client leaves the advertising agency with and realistic when charging and pay- shorter consumer attention spans, plum- food chains released the same advert. the advertising agency, and marketing man- to believe that the work undertaken more money to distribute among ing, embodying reliability and adapt- meting budgets, an ever-evolving media A recent study exposes how clients agers at established firms, representing the is strenuous. This type of behaviour their staff. ing to changes in the environment as channel dynamic and the pressure to deliv- (i.e., marketing managers at firms) and client. was prevalent with the advent of Post-contract, clients primarily partners. er faster than ever before. This, coupled advertising agencies in South Africa act this digital marketing. Clients overpaid use their power advantage to illtreat with clients’ growing concern over their way. This is confessed by advertising agen- Opportunistic behaviour for setting up websites or Facebook advertising agencies. This includes This article is based on the study, return-on-investment, has resulted in issues cies and clients themselves. Both parties The research shows that advertising agen- campaigns because it was unfamiliar calling the advertising agency’s key Perspectives: client–agency opportunism: how does it happen and in the relationships advertising agencies acknowledge that opportunism happens, cies and clients act opportunistically both territory to them. They did not know account manager on a Sunday morn- what can we do about it? that Raeesah have with their clients. blame the other, yet recognise the existence before and after the signing of a contract. how few hours it actually took to ing to demand work for 8am the Chohan co-authored with Richard An unspoken issue in this relationship of opportunism on their part as well. Based on verbatims from the key account create a Facebook advert. next day. Some clients also send Watson and Leyland Pitt, which was is the opportunistic behaviour by both The study directs attention to client– managers and marketing managers, the Some agencies neglect, or stall, vague WhatsApp messages as briefs published in the International Journal parties, to the deliberate detriment of each agency opportunism by describing how following findings were obtained. smaller client work to meet the and expect the agency to deliver an of Advertising.

116 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 117 IMAGE Beyond Business

Recently, big businesses like organized force, urging their employers Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, to engage in corporate activism. Nike and Uber have all pledged con- Facebook, Nike and Uber tributions to advocacy organizations have all pledged contributions Different types of activism focused on racial equality and criminal to advocacy organizations When studying LGBT rights activism, justice reform. This is another example Drewry and I also wanted to know if of corporate activism. focused on racial equality and “hard activism” – like lobbying or con- The past decade has also seen cor- criminal justice reform. tributions to advocacy organizations porate activism on LGBT rights and – can be explained by different things immigration. than “soft activism,” like tweets or press When it comes to racial justice, releases. big businesses have contributed to the We found few differences when it Congressional Black Caucus’s political came to the factors that influenced hard action committee and advocated for and soft activism. The main exception affirmative action in higher education was the influence of peer companies. with the U.S. Supreme Court. For example, the more companies My research finds that corporate within an industry engage in activism, activism is quite common. Forty-four the more likely a company within that percent of the S&P 500’s large, public industry is to engage in soft activism. corporations supported the liberal side However, when it comes to hard of LGBT rights, immigration or racial activism, the fewer companies within an justice between 2008 and 2017. No industry engage in activism, the more S&P 500 companies took conservative likely it was that a single company was stances on these issues. doing things like lobbying or making activism – in other words, a sincere Notable past examples of conser- donations. Corporate activism is more engagement with the policymaking vative social stances, by Chick-fil-A on We gathered from this that there are process. gay marriage and Hobby Lobby on con- a core group of corporate leaders acting Setting aside the question of traception, were advanced by privately first, before others within their industry. than a marketing gimmick whether corporate activism is good held, smaller companies controlled by For instance, Target and Sempra Energy or bad for democracy, and wheth- their founding families. were hard activism leaders on LGBT er it is sometimes clumsy or even rights within their respective industries. Recently, big corporations are making these offensive, it is a genuine attempt to The major causes of corporate nesses as a tool to advance their per- While it may be fair to sceptically CORY MAKS-SOLOMON statements as a form of marketing. influence policy outcomes. activism sonal values. view companies that engage in activism businesses Professorial Lecturer of Political They are branding themselves as One important finding from my research What’s more, I find that liberal later on, the first movers, or those that like Amazon, Science, George Washington University inclusive to boost their sales and More than cheap talk is that there’s no evidence that the stock CEOs are most likely to engage their engage in hard activism early, are more Apple, maybe also attract young liberal Corporate activism is distinct from market reacts to business social activ- firms in activism in two scenarios: likely interested in achieving policy Coca-Cola, employees. Critics call these actions corporate social responsibility and ism on LGBT rights or immigration. • First, when leading a consumer-ori- change. Facebook, n the past month, there’s been an “performative.” And indeed, prior occurs when businesses advocate In other words, investors don’t think ented company that has an incentive to Nike and outpouring of support for Black scholarly research has established that the government change public such activism affects corporate financial appeal to young, liberal consumers. The bottom line Lives Matter from America’s that public opinion can drive corpo- policies on social or moral issues. performance. This implies that there is • Second, when leading a company CEO ideology and employee pressure Uber have largest corporations. rate behaviour. Take Walmart, for example. In no economic market-based incentive with a diverse employee base. Activism are hidden forces at play with corporate all pledged IYou might have noticed Amazon, Yet my ongoing research on 2015, the retail giant stopped selling nor disincentive for corporate activism cultivates an inclusive environment activism. contributions for example, announcing its sup- corporate activism suggests that rifles commonly used in mass shoot- for the average big business. promoting employee recruitment and Not every business is announcing to advocacy port for Black Lives Matter on its businesses often engage in social ings—engaging in corporate social Another finding is that the ideology retention among that diverse workforce. its support for Black Lives Matter in organizations homepage. Even children’s candy activism because they want to sway responsibility by disassociating of top managers is a strong predictor But it’s more than companies pro- order to appeal to liberal customers focused on brands Gushers and Fruit by the public policy outcomes, not solely themselves from the controversial of corporate activism on LGBT rights, actively trying to court liberal cus- and future employees. Many of these Foot teamed up to condemn police to appeal to liberal customers and firearms industry. immigration and racial justice. When tomers or perhaps future employees. companies may genuinely want to see racial equality brutality and “stand with those fight- future employees. However, in 2019 after a mass companies transition from a conserva- Sometimes they are responding to the greater racial equality in the U.S., act- and criminal ing for justice.” While some see companies’ sup- shooting in one of its stores, Walmart tive CEO to a liberal CEO, they engage demands of current employees as well. ing on behalf of their liberal CEOs and justice Corporate activism for racial port for Black Lives Matter as a cal- CEO Doug McMillan engaged in in more corporate activism. My colleague Josiah Drewry and marginalized employees. reform. equality and criminal justice reform culated marketing ploy, I argue that corporate activism when he urged In the past decade, liberal CEOs I found in a study of LGBT rights Therefore, these corporations can is almost inescapable. companies’ support for Black Lives lawmakers to enact stricter gun con- like Tim Cook and Howard Schultz, for activism that employees—especially in be partners in change with social move- Often, the assumption is that Matter is an example of corporate trol measures. example, commonly used their busi- highly educated workforces—can be an ments.

118 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 119 ART/CULTURE Society

Music industry benefit Foreign viewers absorbed other cultural The Nigerian music industry is a core For nationals of other African elements of the country. Many regularly Big Brother Naija’: Nigeria’s unlikely beneficiary of the continental spread of countries, the allure of following tweet by incorporating Nigerian slang and BBNaija. Nigerian music is considered BBNaija was always deeper than phrases into their posts to reflect cultural public relations campaign? the top genre of pop in sub-Saharan campaigning for their favourite assimilation. Africa, due to its ubiquity. A part of that housemates to avoid eviction. Based on the spread of the show via dominance can be ascribed to BBNaija. social media, formerly obscure BBNaija All thanks to an early decision made by housemates often attain celebrity status the pioneer producers of the show, which by viewers in Nigeria and other parts of and command a huge fan base across the ensured that only Nigerian music was the world. Viewers’ messages are also reg- continent. Prior to their appearance on the played during the first edition in 2006. ularly broadcast as teletext on the show, show, these housemates lacked this level In an interview with Pulse, entertain- providing valuable insight into the spread of visibility. Their meteoric increase in ment mogul Obi Asika, a BBNaija pioneer of its audience. Instagram and Twitter followers serves to producer, explains how the Nigerian music Social media offers an understand- measure growth in their fan base. industry gained inroads on the continent ing of the popularity and acceptance of from the first BBNaija show. Fourteen BBNaija among young people on the con- Foreign policy years later, that relationship between local tinent. We examined comments posted on Our study shows that BBNaija is a music and reality TV is still rewarding Twitter and Facebook during the live air- soft power resource. When effectively creatives. ing of the show. We also tracked conversa- deployed, it can be a useful tool in project- Thanks to a strict ‘Nigerian songs only’ tions via the #bbnaija hashtag and others. ing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives by rule on such a popular show, Nigeria’s These conversations reveal a common attracting Africans, even in the diaspora. music industry always had a continental pattern: Tweets about #bbnaija and other The show also confers respect on promotional outlet. Millions of African related hashtags are among the top trend- Nigeria. Via the subconscious association BBNaija viewers are frequently exposed ing topics on African Twitter every time of the ‘Big Brother’ with Nigeria, there is a to Nigerian music. Many are converted the show is aired. These tweets occasional- subtle affirmation of Nigeria’s ‘big brother’ to fans. ly break into the global Twitter trend list, honorific status in the hearts of viewers powered by viewers in Nigeria and across across the continent. The show also rep- BBNaija is a soft power resource. When effectively deployed, it can be a Nigeria’s image laundry? Social media proliferation the continent. resents another avenue to counter negative useful tool in projecting Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives by attracting BBNaija is aired by DSTV, a South African Social media is the best driver for For nationals of other African coun- stereotypes about Nigeria. It’s a useful Africans, even in the diaspora. satellite television company, and beamed BBNaija’s dominance. For our study, tries, the allure of following BBNaija was re-imaging tool for the country. live to an audience in 49 African states. we got a relative measure of viewership always deeper than campaigning for their In addition, the country records gain Despite criticisms, the show remains pop- through comments made on social media favourite housemates to avoid eviction. from the popularity of the show’s for- OLUSOLA OGUNNUBI all the cash by avoiding being evicted by ular among young people in Nigeria and mer housemates who become influen- Research Fellow, University of Free State, viewers and housemates. Packed with lots beyond. Using feedback from social media tial celebrities with fans and supporters University of the Free State of activities, including parties and group platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, from all various parts of the continent. If tasks, the show draws criticism for its occa- we gauged the popularity of BBNaija ever Nigeria needs celebrity diplomacy, AKINLOLU AKINOLA sional raunchy episodes. among young people. Young people are BBNaija has a pool of candidates. Invited User We conducted a study to investigate engaged online, regularly sharing com- the benefits of BBNaija for Nigeria, beyond ments, hot-takes and highlights of the Significance very new season of Nigeria’s reality its entertainment value. We wanted to test show via social media. It’s 2020 and states are realising that TV show, ‘Big Brother Naija’ (BB how BBNaija has improved the portrayal The popularity of BBNaija abroad is true power resides beyond military might. Naija), comes loaded with contro- of Nigeria’s image abroad. Our findings enough for it to be considered Nigeria’s Soft power can also drive development versy. Despite holding five editions suggest that the show promotes Nigeria’s most effective public relations campaign. and regional dominance. BBNaija and the sinceE 2006, the show continues to polarise culture, and ultimately the foreign policy This is because, for the duration of the Nigerian creative industry in general offer opinion within the continent. Conservatives goal of fostering the goodwill of people in show, international viewers are drawn in a platform for Nigeria to retell its story to oppose it as ‘immoral’ and showcasing Africa and beyond. by the drama, while receiving exposure Africa and the world. values that are ‘un-African’. Protagonists For this study we analysed data from to local cultural elements. From music, to Unfortunately, policymakers in the celebrate it as good TV material, possessing social media posts on Twitter and Facebook, lifestyle and the intersections between pop country are yet to see the limitless poten- immense entertainment value. as well as secondary sources of data includ- culture and other sectors, everything is laid tial of Nigeria’s entertainment sector for Big Brother Naija is a popular reality ing newspaper publications, journal arti- bare. By showcasing this culture, the show the country’s global image. When this hap- show in which contestants live in an iso- cles, and more. helps promote a positive image of Nigeria pens, and the show gets deliberate state lated house and compete for a large cash Our mission is to share knowledge and to the rest of the world. support, there’s no ending to the benefits prize worth over $180,000. The winner gets inform decisions. of such a marriage.

120 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 121 ART/CULTURE Music

What archaeology tells us when performing the tshikona dance. Clay whistles about the music and sounds Clay whistles have been recovered from the sites of K2 and Mapungubwe from Early Iron Age contexts. Similar clay whistles are very rare and are not mentioned ethno- made by Africa’s ancestors graphically, but it has been said that the Basotho herders in Lesotho used similar whistles. Whistles can also be Research in music archaeology in southern Africa has just begun. used during a musical procession or as signalling imple- Available evidence dates back from around 10,000 years ago, from ments in sending a message. the Later Stone Age up to the Iron Age. Trumpets An ivory trumpet was recovered from Sofala site in JOSHUA KUMBANI Research in music archaeology can be referred to as sound-producing Mozambique. It has a blow hole and some decorations PhD Candidate, University of the in southern Africa has just begun. implements even though the purpose of on its body. Witwatersrand Available evidence dates back from the sound or their use cannot be clearly Ivory trumpets are not common in southern Africa, around 10,000 years ago, from the ascertained. They could have been used but are known in west Africa. For example, in Ghana usic has been part and Later Stone Age up to the Iron Age. as signalling implements, toys, in ritual among the Asante people they had a spiritual signifi- parcel of humanity for The artefacts fall into two groups, settings or in musical contexts, among cance and were associated with the royal court. Ivory a long time. Not every namely aerophones, where sound others. Nowadays these implements are trumpets are also said to have been used to announce the sound is musical, but is produced by vibrating air, and seldom found in the region. arrival of kings. The trumpets that are found in southern Msound has meaning and sometimes idiophones, where sound is produced Africa are not in ivory. the meaning of sound is specific to by solid material vibrating. These Bone tubes its context. artefacts include spinning disks, Bone tubes, mainly in bird bone, have Idiophones But when it comes to archaeol- bullroarers, bone tubes that could been recovered from Later Stone Age Thumb piano, lamellophone or mbira keys have been ogy there is scant evidence of music have been used as flutes or whistles, contexts from the southern and western recovered from the Later Iron Age contexts in Zimbabwe or sound producing artefacts from clay whistles, keys from thumb pia- Cape of South Africa and some were and in Zambia. This idiophone became popular with southern Africa. This is because nos (also called lamellophones or also recovered from historical contexts. the introduction of iron technology and it is still used of poor preservation of the mostly mbiras), musical bells and an ivory Previously, these bone tubes were inter- today. Some popular musicians play the lamellophone, organic materials that were used trumpet. The list is not exhaustive preted as sucking tubes and beads. But for example Stella Chiweshe from Zimbabwe. Mbira is to manufacture musical instruments. and more research needs to be con- morphological analysis—or studying closely associated with spirituality, especially among the Rock art offers depictions of musi- ducted. their form—has indicated that consid- Shona people of Zimbabwe. The lamellophone is now a cal instruments as well as scenes These music-related or ering the various lengths and widths common musical instrument globally. of dancing that can be linked with sound-producing artefacts are made as well as their smoothened ends, they Ivory trumpets are music performance, but here only from various materials, including could have been used as flutes or whis- not common in Music bells music-related artefacts will be dis- bone, ivory, metal and clay. The tles. There is no a clear-cut distinction Musical bells were found in South Africa, Zimbabwe and cussed. artefacts show how integral sound between flutes and whistles. southern Africa, but Zambia from Later Iron Age contexts. Both double and I conducted original research and music production was in the are known in west single bells existed and, for example, at Great Zimbabwe as well as a survey of the liter- socio-cultural practices of people in Flutes Africa. For example, both were recovered. Ethnographically, musical bells are ature available on these artefacts. the past, most likely for entertain- If they were used as flutes, they were known to have originated in West and Central Africa Ethnographic sources were also con- ment and rituals. Sound production single tone flutes since none has finger in Ghana among and they were most likely introduced to southern Africa sulted in order to attempt to provide and music making is a sign of being holes that can enable the production of the Asante people through trade. These idiophones are said to have been a broader contextual background fully human. more tones. Some of the archaeological they had a spiritual played to announce the arrival of kings. Musical bells against which knowledge of the bone tubes bear chevron and cross are still used today. archaeological implements could be Aerophones hatching patterns, but it is not clear if significance and were Musical instruments are seldom found in the archae- expanded. The Percival Kirby online Recent experimental work estab- the decorations have a meaning or were associated with the ological record and are not easily identifiable, so there musical instrument repository has lished that some Later Stone Age just made for aesthetic purposes. The royal court. is a lot of debate among researchers when it comes to also been used. Music archaeology is bone implements from the Klasies San and Khoe people in South Africa identifying these instruments from the archaeological multidisciplinary in nature. River Mouth and Matjes River sites used reed flutes in the past. Flutes are record. Some instruments may not have been musical The result is one of the first are a spinning disk and a bullroarer still used today by various cultural instruments per se but rather sound-producing imple- reports on southern African sound- respectively. Their replicas produced groups in South Africa, for example the ments that were used to convey certain messages or used and music-related artefacts. powerful whirring sounds and they Venda people in South Africa use flutes for ritual purposes.

122 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 123 CITY LIFE Society

In all parts of the city, from set of essays and reflections that When city forms are lumped together Anxiety in Johannesburg: New malls to taxi ranks to alleys, women consider the intimate inner lives of as merely the source of dangers that worry whether they will make it Johannesburg. Rather than classify- worry the north, it becomes difficult views on a global south city home safely—or if at home, whether ing it as a list of developmental and to grasp the current shape of the they will make it through the night. economic problems to be solved, urban, which is likely to reach its Anxiety in Johannesburg is nothing new. Despite its intermittent From hawkers in the central business these scholars, artists and storytell- ultimate expression in the expanding glamour, the city has always felt unstable for those who live in it. South district to grifters in the banking ers consider what it feels like to live mega-cities of the south. As academics malls, nothing seems entirely fixed in this complicated city. Sarah Nuttall and Achille Mbembe Africa’s largest and wealthiest urban centre, it is also deeply unequal or reliable in this elusive metropolis. A broad range of people and argue, we must develop ways of read- and striated by the spatial markers of apartheid. And yet conditions of anxiety within experiences are explored, among ing African cities that are no longer Johannesburg are seldom discussed them inner-city religious commu- “dominated by the metanarrative of NICKY FALKOF these urban spaces—vibrant, changeable, has always felt unstable for those who live by scholars. nities, young women who navigate urbanisation, modernisation and cri- Associate professor, University of the challenging, new—appear as nothing more in it. South Africa’s largest and wealthiest perilous taxi mobility, nervous white sis”. Witwatersrand than locations for the fluffy imaginaries or urban centre, it is also deeply unequal and Anxious Joburg middle classes, transgender migrants Part of this work requires us to collective fears of the north. striated by the spatial markers of apartheid. Like any other city of the south, life coping with South Africa’s aggres- consider intimate experiences of daily COBUS VAN STADEN In his book Liquid Times, the philoso- According to urban planning professor in Johannesburg is fraught with the sive border regime and people scrap- life. After all, as cultural theorist Sara Senior Researcher: China-Africa: South pher Zygmunt Bauman calls fear “arguably Martin J. Murray, it leads a double life. feelings that are central to moder- ing a precarious living on the city’s Ahmed explains, Emotions should not African Institute of International Affairs, the most sinister of the demons nesting in The city is a paradigmatic exemplar of nity. What then does it mean that a outskirts. be regarded as psychological states, University of the Witwatersrand the open societies of our time”. He writes first world glamour and excess and third city like Johannesburg so casually From the gated community of but as social and cultural practices. of fear as a palpable monster that stalks world improvement and degradation. It connotes anxiety to the north? And Dainfern in the north to the township In southern cities, as elsewhere, ithin the media and popular the lives of late modern subjects in a world is simultaneously a global marketplace of more importantly, if fearful emotion of Soweto in the south, from the lim- emotions are performative and col- culture of the global north, where the centres of power are diffuse and speculative investment integrally linked to is the base layer of the modern age, inal suburbs of Melville and Yeoville lective and have social and political cities like Johannesburg, South remote. the world economy via globalising space as Bauman argues, what does it to the back rooms of Cyrildene and consequences. Africa, are often presented as Fear is, indeed, one way of describing of flows. mean that we think more of anxiety the apartment buildings of Hillbrow Johannesburg is not the most aW site of trouble. They’re the source of the this condition. But anxiety is perhaps more Black migrants who were once forced about southern cities than in them? and the central business district, anxious or the most dangerous city in immigrants, drugs, violence, poverty, dis- useful, suggesting a feeling that is per- into urban labour by law now face the same In order to properly understand Anxious Joburg investigates the the world. It is not unique or uniquely ease and environmental crisis that worry sistent, low-level and even, in psychologist conditions because of poverty, unemploy- city life, we need to account for its city’s complex affects from multi- terrifying. However, its global repu- nervous citizens of more “developed” cities. Kopano Ratele’s term, “objectless”. Anxiety ment and rural underdevelopment. Fears of emotional landscapes. We must ask ple positions. It invokes a range tation, spectacular racist history and Even when they take centre stage in is ever-present. It does not depend on hunger and violence mesh with a neoliberal what it means to be an anxious mod- of theoretical approaches – among propensity for siege architecture make international media production, global particular triggers. It is easily spread and fear of failure, of being left behind in a rap- ern citizen, subject to the same epis- them visual art, cultural studies, it a hugely valuable site for thinking south cities like Johannesburg are laden shared, passed around on the wind, like a idly changing world, painfully symbolised temological insecurities as people psychology and anthropology – to about how anxiety structures con- with fear or fantasy. Think of the films rumour, like a virus. by the city’s “branded skyline”. White sub- elsewhere, in a location that is often argue for the central role of emotion temporary life for denizens of the District 9 with its slavering Nigerian gang- urbanites who once quailed from imaginary represented as inherently unstable. in understanding urban life in the southern city. sters, the homeless genius of Slumdog The elusive metropolis communists now invest enthusiastically in These are some of the question global south. Millionaire or Roma’s contentedly familial Anxiety in Johannesburg is nothing new. security technologies and report passers-by that we asked of contributors to The new book Anxious Joburg: The Inner domestic worker. In so many instances, Despite its intermittent glamour, the city to armed private guards. our new book Anxious Joburg, a Emotion and urban life Lives of a Global South City is available from Wits University Press

124 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 125 TRANSPORT Society Dar es Salaam’s new rapid bus system won international acclaim – but it excludes the poor

Split into six phases, DART has triggered a major overhaul of the city’s road infrastructure—by its completion, 137km of new roads will have been built.

MATTEO RIZZO Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, SOAS, University of London Roughly 70% of Tanzanians live on less than us rapid transit systems (BRT) 4,400 Tanzanian shillings a day, (that’s less have become the fashionable solu- than US$2). Yet a two-way commute along tion to chronic traffic congestion the main branch of the BRT would cost 1,300 and low quality public transport— Bendemic problems for many cities in devel- shillings – that’s a staggering 30% of poor oping countries. BRTs typically operate people’s daily income being spent on transport. using dedicated bus lanes, while passengers By comparison, the same commute by daladala pay their fares before boarding. The num- ber of BRTs is growing rapidly across the would have cost 800 shillings world: from 40 in 2007 to 170 in 2019— and there are many more in the pipeline. Enter Dar es Salaam officials pledged that BRT fares would be 30% of poor people’s daily income dies – even with its current high fares. And NGOs which are active in BRT has several prominent advocates Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, is one of the comparable to those of the daladalas – the being spent on transport. By compar- Whether or not the Tanzanian govern- BRT promotion, such as ITDP, depend around the world, including the World fastest growing cities in Africa. It’s home minibuses which provided the cheapest ison, the same commute by daladala ment is willing to subsidise the system on funding streams related to BRT Bank and NGOs such as the Institute for to an estimated 6m people, and to DART— form of public transport in Dar es Salaam would have cost 800 shillings. remains to be seen. But in a country implementation, such as funds for pro- Transport and Development Policy (ITDP) the most ambitious BRT system in Africa. before BRT – today, DART fares cost on What’s more, the lack of jobs is a with very limited public resources, ducing BRT planning guides, carrying and Embarq. They claim that the system Split into six phases, DART has triggered average 55% more. This fare inflation is major problem in Dar es Salaam, as doing so would divert funding from out BRT feasibility and impact studies combines the flexibility of bus transit with a major overhaul of the city’s road infra- common to BRTs elsewhere in the world, in many other metropolises in devel- other vital development needs. and facilitating access to BRT financ- the speed, reliability and capacity of rail structure—by its completion, 137km of and was even the cause of violent protests oping countries. Since BRT buses can ing for urban authorities in developing systems, at a fraction of the cost. new roads will have been built. Since the in Bogotá, in Colombia. carry more passengers than minibuses, A fix for finance countries. It’s also regularly said that BRT fares launch of phase one in 2016, travel times Despite investments of US$150m for about ten daladalas will be displaced BRT systems are, by and large, If such organisations are evangelical can match those of pre-existing minibus have been greatly reduced, leading Chris the first phase of BRT, the poor are still by each BRT bus. This will have dev- financed through World Bank loans, about the benefits of BRT, and silent operators, and that BRT buses cause less Kost, Africa director of the ITDP, to claim: stuck in traffic on cheaper buses every day. astating consequences for the 20,000 which need to be repaid. The nature about their shortcomings, it could be pollution. Such arguments fuel claims that Bus rapid transit has been transformation- By contrast, those who are wealthy enough to 30,000 people employed in public of these loans opens up public trans- because it’s in their financial interests BRT systems represent a “win-win” solu- al for Dar es Salaam. For millions of people to afford the higher fare have the option of transport. There are currently no plans port in African cities to international to see new systems implemented around tion to public transport woes, benefiting the in African cities, this is their best hope of cutting travelling time by two hours a day. to address the fate of these workers. finance, and to the private companies the world. But public transport should economy, the environment and the poor all ever being connected. Roughly 70% of Tanzanians live on less BRT advocates commonly praise which operate the systems under lucra- be designed with the interests of cities’ at once. But there’s evidence to show that But while some groups do indeed bene- than 4,400 Tanzanian shillings a day, (that’s it as a financially self-sufficient bus tive public-private partnerships con- most vulnerable residents at heart; espe- BRT proponents promise more than they fit, this rosy outlook obscures the fact that less than US$2). Yet a two-way commute transport system. But BRT in Dar es tracts. The benefits of these arrange- cially those who cannot afford higher can deliver, especially for society’s most some people are left worse off. Take the along the main branch of the BRT would Salaam, as elsewhere in the world, is ments to governments in developing fares, or stand to lose their livelihoods vulnerable. issue of fares, for example. Though DART cost 1,300 shillings – that’s a staggering not sustainable without public subsi- countries are questionable. when current systems are reformed.

126 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 127 FOOTBALL Sports

popular resentment with political systems and socio-economic condi- Football and politics: When tions. Following on the heels of Bouteflika’s resignation amid mas- Algeria won the 2019 sive protests and the nomination of a caretaker president, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations came in the Following on the heels of Bouteflika’s resignation amid massive right time. It was for the new deci- sion makers, led by General Salah, protests and the nomination of a caretaker president, the 2019 an opportunity to reconcile with Africa Cup of Nations came in the right time. the population and rebrand the new ruling elite as guarantors of stability MAHFOUD AMARA every Friday after the prayer, Algerians of all and the fight against corruption. ages and regions have returned to the streets. The For the Algerian national football There were a number of French- People chant Associate Professor in Sport Policy & Management, peaceful protesters want real change, including team, after years of instability and Algerian dual nationals on the team. slogans as they Qatar University One example of this the end of the army-backed establishment that management changes, it was another The tweet was in response to wave a large interplay between Algerian national has ruled since independence in 1962. On March opportunity to reconcile with sup- a far-right tweet “to avoid the tide flag during a ith African football on hold and 8, Women’s Day, the number of demonstrators, porters at home and among the large football, business and of Algerian flags, to preserve our weekly anti- the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) men and women of different age and class in the Algerian diaspora in Europe and in politics is a long-time national holiday … Trust the 11 government rescheduled because of the Covid-19 hirak (the Arabic word for “movement”), reached North America. backer of Bouteflika, Nigerian players.” demonstration pandemic, there’s plenty of nostalgia an unprecedented level. You could also read how around in the capital Algiers on March to go around. But memories of the Algeria’s big- The army, led by General Major Gaïd Salah, On the Afcon field construction magnate 2,500 police officers had been W 6, 2020. gest football wins can offer more than just nos- Minister of Defence, pushed for Bouteflika’s res- In 2014, Algeria experienced its first Ali Haddad, who mobilised in Paris to “prevent street talgia. The 2019 Afcon win in Egypt also offers ignation and the postponement of the election. time in a knockout round at the purchased the football clashes”. The situation led French- insights into how governments co-opt the game. This led to the disintegration of Bouteflika’s FIFA World Cup. But when Djamel Algerian coach Belmadi to urge Algeria’s victory against West Germany in the high profile entourage, called the essaba (gang), Belmadi was appointed as new club USM Alger in Algerian supporters in France to 1982 FIFA World Cup, still in Algeria’s post-in- who accumulated colossal fortunes in exchange coach in August 2018, the team 2010 and became its celebrate in an “orderly” way—a ref- dependence, was an iconic moment. As was their for financially backing political manoeuvres to had plunged into a crisis of con- president erence to the peaceful and orderly first Afcon win in 1990 in Algiers. maintain Bouteflika’s regime. fidence. Results were absent and hirak protests. A decade later the country entered one of critics were present and acerbic. A number of supporters were its darkest times since independence. Under In the stadia So, when Belmadi announced that In the stadium Algerian fans nonetheless arrested after clashes Abdelaziz Bouteflika—who would serve as pres- This money was also used to co-opt sport, football Algeria would go to Egypt to lift the cheered a team that was “reborn with police. ident for 20 years from 1999. Political violence in particular. Each election, photos of Bouteflika cup, few took him seriously. alongside the hirak”. Looking back, the 2019 Afcon caused the deaths of thousands and deeply affect- would adorn football stadia and be displayed at The tournament was being win underscores how the Algerian ed Algerian society. the opening of matches. It was not unusual for played in Egypt, one of the favourites Back on the streets regime has long understood how to The 2019 Afcon trophy would be lifted 29 club bosses and former players to be seen at polit- for the title. For Algeria, Egypt was a And so, the celebrations of Algeria’s mobilise the national football team years after the first. This game, in Egypt, is ical rallies for Bouteflika, who famously claimed rather hostile sporting environment. second Afcon cup happened in a victories for its own agenda. But the especially worth recalling because of the political during a 2009 speech that Algeria “has the means The two countries had been football unique context. They extended to regime is also now very aware of the circumstances surrounding it. All the elements of to organise two football World Cups”. foes for decades–and at political log- the Algerian community around the liberty football can bring. a Greek tragedy were in place that day. One example of this interplay between foot- gerheads over the Libyan conflict— world, in Europe, Canada and the For years young Algerians have ball, business and politics is a long-time backer and the animosity was tangible. The US, and in France in particular. understood that stadiums are the On the streets of Bouteflika, construction magnate Ali Haddad, hostility continued especially after And, as always, raising the ideal venue to freely voice their On Friday 22 February 2019, after a campaign on who purchased the football club USM Alger in Egypt failed to reach the second Algerian flag in French cities fuelled socio-political and economic dis- social media following the announcement by the 2010 and became its president. Interestingly, the qualifying round. Yet opposition to the debate on French identity and the content. These football chants and ruling National Liberation Front that an ailing club’s fans continued with their chanting attacks Algeria’s opponents in the final, question of alliance with Algeria’s slogans reached their zenith when Bouteflika would stand for a fifth term, hundreds on the symbols of Bouteflika’s privileged class Senegal, was also great. former colonisers. they were eventually repeated by of thousands of demonstrators took to the street or “les nouveaux riches” who controlled the net- With the logistic support of the Algeria’s captain Ryad Mahrez, thousands every Friday during hirak to express their discontent. The prospect of works of politics, media and business in Algeria. army, the new Algerian leadership after scoring a winning free kick marches. enduring another five years of Bouteflikism was Football fans have been active in the hirak organised the airlifting of Algerian against Nigeria to qualify for the too dire. from the beginning, and their politicised football supporters from different regions of final, had tweeted “the free kick Abdelkader Abderrahmane contributed Since then, every Tuesday for students, and chants have been embraced as an expression of the country into Egypt, even offering was for you, we are together” with to this article. He is a geopolitical researcher and international consultant them free tickets once in Cairo. Algerian and French flag emojis. on African peace and security issues.

128 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 129 OPINION Last Word

Kenya has embarked on a journey to embed sustainability as a strategic business principle with the objective of creating incremental shared value for all our stakeholders, both in the way we do business and the services and products we offer. As part of this journey, we have marked several milestones among them the development of a Sustainability Strategy and Implementation Framework. Last year, we became one of the Signatories of the Principles for Responsible Banking, committing to strategically align our business with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We also became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact. Whilst we support the imple- mentation of all the 17 SDGs, we have selected four high impact goals as our primary focus name- ly; Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities as well as Responsible Consumption and Production. We have identified SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions as well as SGD 17 on Partnerships for the goals as key enablers to implement and scale our impact. With our Sustainability Commitment Report, we have commit- ted to focus our efforts on delivering Reconnecting Business the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit in all our strategies, prod- Success with Social Progress ucts and propositions. We are taking a bold step that will inspire our innova- Over the last one year, Absa JEREMY AWORI the sustainability of the businesses tion on social and environmental chal- of the core business. that we run. The solution to this lies lenges in line with our commitment to Bank Kenya has embarked Managing Director, Absa Bank Kenya PLC on a journey to embed Today, it has become more apparent Last year, we became one of in the principle of shared value, which be a more active force for good in the istorically, companies have invest- that businesses can make money by resolv- the Signatories of the Principles advocates creating business value in communities where we operate. sustainability as a strategic ed in corporate social responsibil- ing deep rooted societal, economic, and a way that also creates value for both As a financial institution, we are business principle with for Responsible Banking, ity programmes which have most- environmental challenges. Various empiri- committing to strategically the society and the environment. In in the businesses of lending and there- the objective of creating ly taken the form of philanthropic cal studies indicate that unless affirmative essence, businesses must reconnect fore we have committed to proactively align our business with the incremental shared value for engagements.H And whilst there is nothing action is taken now, environmental degra- company success with social progress. increase our capital allocation and all our stakeholders, both in wrong with businesses giving back to the dation will continue to deplete food produc- Sustainable Development That’s the bedrock of sustainable diversify our portfolio to support sec- the way we do business and communities within which they operate, tion and access to water, with compounded Goals and the Paris Agreement business development and the impe- tors that drive sustainable develop- the services and products we this approach is undergoing a fundamental adverse impact on lives and livelihoods. on Climate Change. We also tus behind the launch of our Absa ments. These include renewable and transformation as businesses increasingly In line with this, it is imperative for became a signatory of the Sustainability Commitment report late clean energy industries; innovation offer. realize that these efforts could be more sus- leaders to act today in order to safeguard United Nations Global Compact. 2020. and infrastructure, as well as funding tainable and impactful if they became part not only the future of our children, but also Over the last one year, Absa Bank financially excluded groups; sus-

130 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 131 OPINION Last Word

tainable cities and commu- increase diversity in the supply We acknowledge that we can- nities. We will also advocate and chain focusing on Women, Youth, not meet the global goals without drive responsible consumption and and Persons who are differently the involvement of young people, production within value chains. abled. This is a sure way to foster and we have committed to contin- We recognize that diversity innovation and creativity, while ue investing in their future through Whilst we forms the fabric of modern society, releasing unparalleled levels of skills development with our support the making it an asset for our business productivity that impact business ReadyToWork program. We have implementation of and for that reason we commit to and society. also committed to increase the pro- all the 17 SDGs, we portion of women across all levels have selected four of management and Board posi- tions in our organization. Gender high impact goals diversity is a proven enabler of as our primary better financial performance. We focus namely; have made progress in this area Quality Education, and recommit to promoting further Decent Work gender diversity within the bank. and Economic We have committed to empow- Growth, Reduced er our suppliers and create aware- Inequalities as well ness on corporate sustainability and responsible business practices. as Responsible As we embark on our sustainabili- Consumption and ty journey, we are empowering our Production. suppliers on driving sustainable businesses through the SDGs and the UN Global compact principles underpinned by the shared value principle. Mindful of our environment and recognising that we have a responsibility to safeguard it not just for ourselves but for the sake of future generations, we have committed to plant 10 million trees in the next five years. In the famous words of the prominent environmentalist David Brower, we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. In line with this, we com- mit to increase biodiversity and encourage environmental responsi- bility through planting trees. We are inviting other business leaders, partners and stakeholders to join us on this exciting journey and together, we shall make a dif- ference.

This article by Dr Jeremy Awori, has also been published in the Business Daily newspaper in late 2020 and is repeated here due to the very important business concept it is advocating.

132 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 121 When was the last time you woke up to stunning sights of scenic cities?

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iv BUSINESS MONTHLY | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021