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Kenya – [January 21, 2025]

The Pan-African Council and the University of Nairobi’s (UoN) Department of Diplomacy and International Studies have executed a Collaboration Agreement. This agreement formalizes a shared commitment to identifying and pursuing priority areas of cooperation, thereby strengthening institutional collaboration in the pursuit of common objectives. Specifically, the agreement aims to facilitate enhanced cooperation through joint initiatives encompassing dialogues, conferences, training programs, and research endeavors. The established framework delineates the following areas of cooperative engagement:

I. RESEARCH STUDIES & CONFERENCES

• Interdisciplinary Research: Undertake research and studies on any issues related to Pan African and Diaspora Affairs, Conflict Management, Peace and Security in Africa while observing international research principles and standards. Encourage collaborative research projects that bridge various academic disciplines to address complex Pan-African issues;
• Knowledge Sharing, Policy Advisory and Dissemination: Facilitate the exchange of research findings and best practices through publications, workshops, and online platforms. Generate policy interventions that form the basis for advising government and nongovernmental agencies on Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs;
• Experiential: Organize joint conferences, symposia, courses, workshops and seminars in relation to Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs. Organization of academic and scientific activities such as workshops, courses and seminars;
• Data Collection and Analysis: Establish joint data collection initiatives and analytical frameworks to inform evidence-based policies and interventions.; and
• Collaborate on any other areas of cooperation in the field of Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs to be mutually agreed upon.

LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING & OUTREACH

• Global Engagement: The University of Nairobi, Institute of Diplomacy and International studies through its Pan African and Diaspora Centre, shall serve as the liaison office for the Pan-African Council in Kenya. In this capacity, the Centre shall serve as a point of contact for the Council’s outreach, coordination, and implementation of Pan-African initiatives within Kenya. Simultaneously, the Council’s global network of offices and representatives will support the Centre’s global representation and influence by helping it foster partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Co-Creation & Fundraising: Organize joint fundraising through proposal writing to achieve the objectives of the Agreement and the co-creation of innovation solutions together to solve problems/exploit opportunities identified;
• Exchange Programs: Facilitate and endeavour to create educational and cultural exchange programs to promote intercultural understanding and appreciation; and,
• Promotion of other academic activities which enhance the mentioned goals herein

LEADERSHIP, STUDENT, AND STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING

• Leadership Development: Build the capacity of trainers of trainers to effect wider outreach at the grassroots level on peaceful coexistence and resilience against conflict. Organize leadership training programs for young African leaders to equip them with the skills and knowledge to drive positive change in Africa and regions of the Diaspora;
• Mentorship and Coaching: endeavour to establish mentorship and coaching opportunities to support the professional development of students, faculty, and staff;
• Capacity building for students through internships, attachments, and scholarships;
• Capacity building for research and technology development and through technical and executive courses;
• Curriculums development to support training on Pan African and Diaspora studies; and,
• Conduct Training Needs Assessment of various sections of the society that need capacity enhancement.

About the University of Nairobi Department of Diplomacy and International Studies

The Departments aim is to be a leading regional and international Centre of scholarly excellence in Diplomacy and International Studies; and, to advance the pursuit of knowledge through relevant and quality research, publications, teaching, training and consultancy in various areas of International Studies, Diplomacy, International Conflict Management and Strategic Studies.

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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nairobi, Kenya – [August 19, 2024] – The Pan-African Council and Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) are thrilled to announce the upcoming East Africa Diaspora Investment Symposium, a dynamic platform designed to catalyze investment and economic growth in the region. The event will take place on Friday, September 27th, 2024, at the DTB Centre Conference Hall in Nairobi, Kenya.

Under the theme “Empowering the African Diaspora to Accelerate Trade, Investment, and Economic Growth in East Africa,” the symposium will bring together influential stakeholders from the African diaspora, private sector, and government to explore lucrative investment opportunities across various sectors, including agribusiness, tourism, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and logistics.

Kenya, as a thriving economic hub, serves as an ideal gateway to the East African market. The symposium will provide invaluable insights into the region’s investment landscape, offering attendees the chance to connect with potential partners, access expert advice, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the business environment.

“We are excited to partner with Diamond Trust Bank on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Fabien Anthony, Chairman of the Pan-African Council. “The African diaspora possesses immense potential to drive economic development in the region, and this symposium is a crucial step in unlocking that potential.”

Through engaging panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities, the event will address critical topics such as market entry strategies, immigration, banking services, regulatory frameworks, financing options, and talent development. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and actionable insights to facilitate their investment endeavors in East Africa. “DTB is committed to supporting the growth and prosperity of the African continent,” said Shelmith Gichuki, Diaspora Banking Relationship Manager at Diamond Trust Bank. “By partnering with the Pan-African Council, we aim to create a conducive environment for diaspora investment and contribute to the economic transformation of East Africa.”

The East Africa Diaspora Investment Symposium is open to investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers seeking to explore opportunities in the region.

About Diamond Trust Bank

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) is a leading regional bank, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). As an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), DTB has operated in East Africa for over seventy-five years. DTB’s focus has expanded to not only serve SME’s but also the agricultural, education and fintech sectors. The bank is also heavily investing in digital banking infrastructure to enable it strategically to increase its market penetration and offer cutting edge solutions.

About the Pan-African Council

The Pan-African Council (PAC) is the premier global leadership and strategic development organization committed to advancing and uniting Africa and her Diaspora through international cooperation in the political, economic, and social spheres.

Event Registration

To learn more and register for the symposium, please visit www.panafricancouncil.org/nairobi2024

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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NAIROBI, KENYA  —

The Pan-African Council is pleased to announce the signature of a strategic partnership agreement with Effortless Insight Africa for The Future of Education & Work in Africa (FEWA) Conference 2024.

The partnership will be instrumental in facilitating engagement with various international institutions, investor delegations and companies across the continent and the Diaspora. The conference anticipates diverse delegations of government officials, Educationists, entrepreneurs and investors from different regions keen on investing in Education innovation and Technology in Africa. It will be held at The Edge Convention Centre Nairobi April 16 to 18 in 2024. The signing between myself and the chair of the council,Fabien Anthony was witnessed by College of insurance CEO Dr. Ben Kajwang and College of Insurance/Edge Centre Head of ICT Abiud Ogechi

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NAIROBI, KENYA  —

This September 4-6, 2023, Council members participated in the 2023 Africa Climate Summit at the The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya with the theme of “Driving climate-positive growth and finance solutions for Africa and the world”.

The Africa Climate Summit 2023 tackled the critical issue of climate change, highlighting Africa’s vulnerability and its potential to be part of the solution. The continent faces severe consequences from climate change, lacking resources to respond fully due to debt burdens. However, Africa boasts vast renewable energy, mineral, and agricultural resources that can contribute significantly to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The summit called for a shift in the narrative, moving beyond the idea of a divided world and emphasizing collaboration for a global solution. Innovative funding mechanisms are proposed to bridge the gap in climate finance. These include targeted taxes on polluting industries, a potential global fossil fuel tax, and exploring a financial transactions tax. A central global fund would be established for efficient allocation of these resources, overseen by an independent body to ensure fairness.

Success in climate action requires everyone’s involvement. Governments and institutions will set the framework with policies. The private sector brings crucial investment and innovation. Philanthropies can help de-risk projects and support new ideas. Civil society ensures that solutions are based in science and hold everyone accountable. Local communities offer invaluable perspectives for sustainable development that meets their needs.

The summit aims to gather ambitious commitments for action from leaders, guided by a comprehensive framework. Key focus areas include increased funding for climate action, targeted allocation of those funds, and a more risk-tolerant approach to financing. Additionally, the summit emphasizes the need for African nations to develop green growth strategies and recognizes the interdependent nature of climate action and economic development. Finally, it calls for optimizing global capital by utilizing Africa’s cost-effective solutions for global emissions reduction.

The Africa Climate Summit 2023 presented a crucial opportunity for a global approach to climate change. By focusing on Africa’s situation and fostering collaboration, ambitious commitments, and innovative funding mechanisms, the summit sought to make significant progress in tackling these critical challenges.

Nairobi Declaration

The African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action highlights the following needs:

On Africa’s Plight and Responsibility:

• African leaders acknowledge climate change as the biggest threat to humanity and acknowledge Africa’s vulnerability despite not being a major contributor.
• They emphasize Africa’s potential for solutions due to its young population, renewable energy resources, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Call to Action for Developed Countries:

• The declaration urges developed nations to fulfill their emission reduction commitments and the promised $100 billion in annual climate finance.
• It calls for a just transition away from fossil fuels while supporting the most vulnerable.

Africa’s Commitments for a Green Future:

• African leaders commit to developing green policies, promoting renewable energy, and protecting nature.
• They emphasize the importance of reskilling the workforce, boosting sustainable agriculture, and collaborating on continental initiatives.

Building Resilience and Partnerships:

• The declaration highlights the need for investment in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and water security.
• It emphasizes partnerships with other regions for knowledge sharing and financial support.

A New Financial Architecture and a United Africa:

• The document calls for reforming the financial system to unlock climate finance for Africa.
• It proposes a new Global Climate Finance Charter and debt relief mechanisms.
• African leaders propose a biennial Africa Climate Summit and emphasize Africa’s contribution to the global fight against climate change.

Click here to download the full Nairobi declaration.

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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BOGOTA, COLOMBIA  —

Background

The Republic of Colombia’s historic election and transition to a popular government led by President Gustavo Petro and Vice President Francia Marquez not only marks an unprecedented window of opportunity for improved diplomatic and economic relations within the region, but also the possibility of seeking further rapprochement with African countries on the other side of the Atlantic. The political will and impetus for developing these new pathways to cooperation has never been more lucid than in Gustavo Petro’s very own presidential inauguration speech, in which he declared:

“We will seek greater alliances with Africa, where we originate from; 
we will seek an alliance of afro-descendant communities in the Americas.” 
– President Gustavo Petro, Inauguration Speech
(“Buscaremos mayores alianzas con África, de donde provenimos; 
buscaremos una alianza de pueblos afros en Ámerica.” 
- Presidente Gustavo Petro, discurso de inauguración)

Gustavo Petro’s call to action for a “Colombia of possibilities” creates an avenue to leverage our joint strengths and aspirations to face the challenges of the 21st century. During the election campaign and her activist history, VP Francia Márquez often leveraged the African idea of ubuntu (humanness) to promote interdependence within and between societies. In these unprecedented times of pandemic, climate change, supply chain, and monetary risk, the need to reinvigorate South-South Cooperation has never been more pronounced.

Contemporary Colombia-Africa Relations

The Republic of Colombia’s current “Guidelines for Colombian Foreign Politics” state the mandate of “sharing experiences in important issues for African development”. Colombia’s experience has been shared through the programs regarding Disarming, Demobilization and Reintegration allowing the development of important progress in terms of cooperation with countries such as Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, among others. Colombia makes institutional presence in sub-Saharan Africa through the Embassies in South Africa and Kenya.

More recently, the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC-Colombia) has signed a Financial Contribution Agreement with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) within the framework of South-South Cooperation to bolster technical assistance for programmes across Africa. This agreement paved the way for the exchange of best practices, building local lasting capacities and technical assistance in different areas such as; environment, risk management and resilience; emergent technology and research; agriculture; and food security and nutrition, among others.

Partnership and Engagement

The Pan-African Council partnered with Colombia’s Office of the Vice Presidency to support Colombia’s first high-level visit to the African continent after a 26-year hiatus with the aim of strengthening diplomacy, cultural, business and entrepreneurial ties. Colombia’s first Vice President of African Descent, Her Excellency Francia Márquez, led a delegation of some 60 representatives to South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia this May.

The Council’s piece on CNBC Africa highlights the country’s desire to expand the number of embassies it has in Sub-Saharan Africa, creating a foundation for future political, cultural, and economic partnerships. The visit also provided a unique opportunity for African countries to assert their individual and collective interests through enhanced international cooperation.

Opportunities for South-South Cooperation

Colombia lags considerably behind countries like Brazil in trade and political ties with Africa. Colombia and African countries can better explore and exploit their comparative advantages in goods and services. In the context of exploring new and innovative multilateral and bilateral agreements, there’s a unique opportunity for Colombia to partner with African countries in achieving Agenda 2063 and by also sharing its expertise in areas such as renewable energy, water management, and information and communication technology.

Currently, countries across Latin America are diligently seeking to position themselves as highly competitive actors in the geopolitical landscape. Colombia is well-positioned to take the lead on Africa-Latin America relations for the Spanish-speaking world as the country seeks to improve its education and cultural exchanges, economic competitiveness, attract trade and investment, and promote themselves as major tourist destinations. African countries, in turn, aspire to rebrand and transform themselves into an influential economic, touristic, environmentally sustainable region with a vast pool of natural resources and human capital.

Activities

As part of the Colombia’s 2022-2026 Africa Strategy, the Council supported the first-ever Colombia-South Africa High-Level Business Forum, the Kenya-Colombia Business Forum (hosted by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry), the cultural industries roundtables and events (including Mandla N’s Media City Studios South Africa, collaborative music camps for artists, and the Bomas of Kenya Artistic Evening), the Ubuntu Unity Colombian and South African Cultural Heritage Celebration, the My Roots in Africa Tree Planting Ceremony and Leaders’ Breakfast at Karura Forest with the Hon. Governor of Nairobi Sakaja Johnson Arthur, Wanjira Mathai VP of the World Resouces Institute, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) leaders Kamil Olufowobi and Mwende Mbevi in a ceremony to foster the reconnection with the African diaspora in Colombia and reaffirm our joint commitments to nature preservation and environmental protection. The My Roots in Africa tree planting initiative gives the Diaspora an opportunity to connect with the roots in Africa while reducing carbon emissions through the regreening of the planet.

The high impact trip resulted in over two dozen memorandums of understanding, bilateral and cooperation agreements signed across South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

We extend a special thanks to the entire Pan-African Council team, the Embassies of Colombia in South Africa and Kenya, as well as other partners including Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), TAP Magazine, MHM Media, Rubiez & Pearlz VIP Logistix, and Masters Of The Industry (MOTI Africa) who graciously supported the trip agenda.

We further wish to congratulate the Republic of Colombia on their historic engagement with Africa and for taking the bold step of strengthening of South-South cooperation.

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Media Contact:

Tatiana Mensah
media@panafricancouncil.org

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