1. Human Capital Development (Skills, Youth, Employment and Women Empowerment)
- Skills Initiative for Africa
This initiative is in line with the framework for Cooperation between the AU and the German Government. It responds to Africa’s Agenda 2063 which recognizes that the future of the continent rests on the development of relevant skills, knowledge, talents and commitment of its young people. Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia have been selected to be part of the pilot project for the implementation of this initiative. The NEPAD Kenya Secretariat has been called upon to coordinate efforts to engage relevant stakeholders and launch the project in the country.
- Capacity Building for Infrastructure Project Managers
The Infrastructure Skills for Development (IS4D) Project was introduced in 2014. With the objective of building public-sector capacity to plan and oversee the delivery of priority PIDA infrastructure projects. This involves implementation of a 9-month skills development program with the support of the Australia Africa Partnerships Facility (AAPF). The IS4D places emphasis on an Action Learning approach.
With facilitation provided by NEPAD Kenya Secretariat, a number of officers who occupy management positions in Kenyan transport and energy companies were identified and supported to undertake the above training.
2. Industrialisation, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA)
On human capital development, the main focus is on the development of relevant skills in the education and health sectors. In the field of education, NEPAD aims at promoting science and technology through the framework known as the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA). It also supports the development and upgrading of critical skills in the area of human health. In line with this, NEPAD has partnered with the African Academy of Sciences to carry out research activities in the field of human health.
- African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH)
A critical AU Model Law aimed at harmonizing medical products regulatory systems in Africa was endorsed by African Heads of State and Government at the January 2016 AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AU Model Law will contribute towards accelerate the regulation of safe, quality and affordable medical products and technologies in Kenya.
In 2015, the inaugural IGAD Member States NMRA’s meeting was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Kenya successfully participated and signed the Call for Action to implement a regional Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (MRH) programme. A follow up meeting was convened in 2016 and agreed to establish an IGAD MRH Steering Committee, Technical Working Groups (TWG’s) and a Coordination Unit.
The EAC-MRH programme conducted a Joint Dossier Assessment of 8 medicinal products in Entebbe, Uganda in 2015; Four (4) of which were already registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya. Phase two of the EAC-MRH programme has expanded to include drug safety (pharmacovigilance) strengthening; clinical trials oversight; regulation and quality assurance of medical devices including diagnostics; and harmonization of regulation of vaccines.
Kenya has a designated RCORE specializing in Pharmacovigilance called Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya. RCOREs are institutions with specific academic and technical regulatory science expertise and training capabilities capable of producing regulatory workforce in Africa.
3. Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa Network (BecANet)
The BecA-ILRI Hub is a co-creation of the NEPAD Agency and ILRI, established as part of NEPAD’s African Biosciences Initiative (ABI), with the ILRI board of trustees having fiduciary and legal responsibility. It was also developed within the framework of NEPAD’s Centers of Excellence for Science and Technology and the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), and in alignment with regional priorities set by Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
The Biosciences eastern and central Africa - International Livestock Research Institute (BecA - ILRI) Hub is a shared agricultural research and biosciences platform that aims to increase access to affordable, world-class research facilities for African scientists conducting research on African agricultural challenges. The BecA-ILRI Hub is empowering African scientists and institutions to exploit the opportunities presented by advances in technology for sustainable agricultural development in on the continent. All research projects implemented at the BecA-ILRI Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, are directed towards delivering products to help improve food and nutritional security in Africa.
4. Regional Integration, Infrastructure (Energy, Water, ICT, Transport) and Trade
- Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)
The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is the approved framework for the development of this sector. This programme seeks to promote the development of infrastructural facilities including transport, provision of energy, and Information Communication Technology (ICT). These will strengthen cooperation and trade amongst African countries.
The 51 PIDA Priority Action Plan (PAP) programmes and projects are spread across the four sectors of Energy, Transport, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Trans-boundary Water. The programmes and projects are expected to lead to an integrated continent, fuelling international trade, job creation and sustainable economic growth. In order to boost intra-African trade and raise the continent’s competitiveness in the global economy, the programme sets out short-term goals to be achieved by 2020, medium-term goals to be achieved by 2030 and long-term goals by 2040.
- Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI)
NEPAD Kenya Secretariat spearheaded efforts which culminated in the elevation of the LAPSSET Project to the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) category of the African Union. With this, it joined 8 other high priority continental infrastructure projects being championed by Heads of State and Government under the Chairmanship of H.E Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa. Currently there are 10 PICI projects in the continent Namibia been the last to join.
The Secretariat works closely with the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority to promote and ensure successful implementation of these important project. In this regard the Secretariat:
- Collaborates with NEPAD Agency to assess and monitor progress in the implementation of LAPSSET.
- Holds consultative forums with potential investors and development partners to mobilise resources to facilitate the implementation of various projects under LAPSSET e.g. TICAD VI, PIDA week, GPEDC.
- Prepares joint progress reports for presentation before the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) meetings.
- Facilitates discussions with strategic partners such as United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide technical assistance and financing to LAPSSET.
- Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL)
NEPAD in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum supports the implementation of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative in Africa. SE4ALL aims at achieving the following 3 goals by 2030:
- Provide universal access to modern energy services;
- Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and
- Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
So far the NEPAD Kenya Secretariat has worked with relevant stakeholders to develop an investment prospectus to accelerate the implementation of selected high priority projects under the SE4ALL Initiative.
5. Natural Resources Governance and Food Security
- Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
In the area of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, NEPAD aims at accelerating the transformation of Africa’s agricultural systems to stimulate improved and sustainable performance, contribute to food security, economic growth and inclusive development.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is the AU’s framework for the development of the agricultural sector in Africa. In order to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, CAADP aims at raising agricultural productivity by at least 6% per year, and increase national budget allocation to the sector by 10% of per year.
The implementation of CAADP falls under four pillars:
- Extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems
- Improving rural infrastructure and trade related capacities for market access
- Increasing food supply and reducing hunger
- Promoting agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption
Kenya signed the CAADP Compact (Agreement) in July 2010. To this end, NEPAD in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries are working to establish country-level Strategic Analysis Knowledge Support System (SAKSS). The aim of this is to strengthen data gathering, and monitoring and evaluation. Besides this, several Agriculture Joint Sector Reviews have been undertaken in line with strengthening mutual accountability. In addition, NEPAD Secretariat is working with the above ministry to mainstream CAADP activities in the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP).
The NEPAD Kenya Secretariat is working with the German Government through its development agency (GIZ) to support state departments in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to revitalise the CAADP programme. NEPAD Kenya Secretariat is a member of the technical working group and steering committee of the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) Programme under CAADP.
Currently, NEPAD Agency has partnered with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya, and developed a fund to improve eastern Africa’s crop productivity and efficiency in agricultural processing. The Climate Change and Natural Resource Management programme within NEPAD works to bring together all relevant regional and continental players to coordinate, share knowledge and encourage one another in addressing the threat of climate change. Under this thematic area, NEPAD Agency plays a co-ordinating and advocacy role to promote regional and national programmes aimed at counteracting these environmental threats.