Gold finalists in Africa’s Regional Responsible Tourism Awards win five out of eight categories in 2023 Global Responsible Tourism Awards
Official winners from Africa include Lemala, Ngwenya Glass, Uthando, Weeva, & Wildlife Act
Africa has made a significant impact at the 2023 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, securing wins in five out of eight categories. This achievement highlights the continent’s growing influence and commitment to sustainable travel practices.
Harold Goodwin, Managing Director of the Responsible Tourism Partnership, revealed the winners, spotlighting the achievements of Lemala, Ngwenya Glass, Uthando, Weeva, and Wildlife Act from the continent.
“We set very specific award categories and always ask for hard evidence of why that applicant feels they deserve to win,” explains Goodwin. “We also make sure that judging is done by people who have a strong knowledge of sustainability in that area. We believe this process shines a light on really exceptional examples of responsible tourism around the world.”
The awards drew a competitive field of gold finalists from regions including Africa, India, and Latin America, all of whom had previously triumphed in the Regional World Responsible Tourism Awards. The African organizations recognized in the 2023 awards are:
Lemala – Best for Tackling Plastic Waste – Tanzania
Ngwenya Glass – Best for Local Sourcing Craft and Food – Eswatini
Rede Batuc – Best for Diversity and Inclusion – Brazil
RT Mission Kerala, Best for Local Sourcing Craft and Food – India
Soar Excursions, Best for Meaningful Connections – India
Uthando – Best for Meaningful Connections – South Africa
Weeva – Best for Addressing Climate Change – Global, out of Africa
Wildlife Act – Best for Nature-Based Tourism – South Africa
“Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved success. Your relentless passion and commitment to driving sustainability in tourism is truly inspiring,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director – Travel, Tourism & RX Africa Marketing.
“Considering the rigorous judging criteria, we are especially excited to acknowledge and celebrate our regional finalists, who secured first place in five out of the eight categories.”
“The WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards not only showcase the best of the best in responsible tourism, but sets the compass for our global industry in creating sustainable travel and holiday experiences,” De Jager adds.
In light of these achievements, Africa Travel Week is now inviting applications for the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2024, seeking to build on the continent’s strong performance and leadership in responsible tourism.
“As we turn the corner to the New Year, we’re calling all sustainability champions and changemakers to help carry the flame for responsible tourism and represent Africa on the global stage,” she concludes.
AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organisation supporting innovative agribusiness and renewable energy enterprises to reduce rural poverty, promote resilient communities and create jobs.
The organization catalyzes the private sector by surfacing and commercialising new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to the effects of climate change. AECF also provides catalytic funding to high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding and are are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.
Capital caught up with Victoria Sabula who is the CEO of AECF to talk about how AECF is scaling up its financing, advisory services, investment support, and knowledge services to catalyze greater work of 500 African SMEs and improve the lives of 10 million rural Africans by 2026. Excerpts;
Capital:What is the primary mission and vision of The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and how does it contribute to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Africa?
Victoria Sabula: In a continent full of untapped potential, AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) fosters entrepreneurship and sustainable development with a clear vision to “build a prosperous, enterprising, and resilient Africa” and a mission “to catalyse, grow, and improve the resilience of private sector enterprises for the benefit of rural and marginalised communities in Africa.”
AECF’s commitment to building resilience in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors is underpinned by a focus on empowering and uplifting the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of Africa’s rural and underserved communities, particularly women, youth, and those residing in fragile states and contexts.
With a dedication to addressing gender-based inequalities that obstruct progress in these sectors, AECF strives to combat the scourge of youth unemployment that threatens to undermine communities in Africa. The overarching goal is to challenge the prevailing structural bias in society by fostering empowerment and creating job opportunities.
Operating in fragile contexts, AECF exhibits courage and conviction in advocating for the rights and potential of individuals in these communities, recognizing their worth as equal to those in flourishing economies. AECF’s prowess in entering nascent markets enables the organization to de-risk and attract investments, thus fostering progress and stability in conflict-affected environments.
AECF has positively influenced over 4 million lives, generated more than 795 new jobs, and facilitated approximately US$ 5.8 million in wages in fragile, frontier markets since 2012, ultimately contributing to a total benefit of around US$ 25.6 million.
At its core, the AECF envisions a future where sustainable businesses take centre stage in championing systems that work, especially in rural Africa and to fight against poverty. To realize this ambitious goal, the organization employs a multifaceted approach that combines financial support, innovation, and community empowerment.
One of the primary ways the AECF contributes to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Africa is by providing grant and debt financing to innovative business ideas. These funds are not just distributed haphazardly; they are strategically directed towards initiatives that hold the potential to make a significant impact on local communities and economies. By investing in these enterprises, the AECF jumpstarts economic growth, creates employment opportunities, and empowers marginalized populations who might otherwise be left behind. AECF seeks out and supports groundbreaking ideas that have the power to transform sectors ranging from agriculture and renewable energy to technology.
Importantly, the AECF’s commitment to sustainable development goes beyond the financial aspect. It involves capacity building, mentorship, and market linkages, providing budding entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. This holistic approach not only helps businesses succeed but also contributes to the resilience of these enterprises, which are essential for long-term prosperity in Africa.
Capital: Could you highlight some successful projects or initiatives supported by AECF that have had a significant impact on local communities or economies in Africa?
Victoria Sabula: In the face of global challenges, AECF remains steadfast in its commitment to catalysing private sector investments that benefit rural and marginalised communities in Africa. Despite recent formidable hurdles, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the lingering effects of COVID-19, and the escalating climate crisis, AECF has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in its pursuit of sustainable development.
AECF has successfully implemented a range of programmes that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a significant positive impact on the lives of millions in Africa. Below are some of the successful programmes of AECF.
Agribusiness
AECF’s dedication to agriculture has yielded significant progress, resulting in increased crop yields and improved food security for numerous farming communities. These efforts have played a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenge of food security across the African continent.
Through its investments and support in agribusiness across sub-Saharan Africa, AECF has prioritized diverse agriculture value chains, fostering sustainable growth and innovation in numerous countries, including South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, and Ethiopia, among others. These programs have empowered smallholder farmers, enhancing their production and productivity, thereby contributing to regional economic growth.
Renewable energy
AECF’s investments in the renewable energy sector have been nothing short of transformative. The Renewable Energy Access for All in Sub-Saharan Africa (REACT SSA) portfolio reached over 80% of its target, positively impacting households with renewable energy. This expansion contributed to a doubling of jobs, a tripling of SMEs, and a significant development impact increase, totalling nearly US$40 million. These investments have reduced dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring improved access to clean and affordable energy across the continent.
Investing in women
AECF has fostered an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive, addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups in accessing financial inclusion and economic empowerment through the programmes such as Investing In Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya (IIW-BEK), Investing In Women in Nigeria (IIW-Nigeria), Investing In Women in South Sudan (IIW-South Sudan) and Financial Inclusion for Growth in Somalia (FIG-Somalia) programmes, just to mention a few.
By the end of 2022, AECF’s impact was profound and far-reaching, with over 31 million lives positively impacted and significant growth in its Active Investor Portfolio. The organization’s strategic focus on agriculture, renewable energy, financial inclusion, gender equality, and climate resilience has contributed to improved livelihoods, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa.
Capital: In your opinion, what are the key challenges and opportunities for African entrepreneurs and businesses in accessing finance and scaling their operations? How does AECF address these challenges?
Victoria Sabula: The key challenges for African entrepreneurs and businesses in accessing finance and scaling their operations:
Limited access to capital: African entrepreneurs often face challenges in accessing adequate capital, especially in the early stages of their ventures. Traditional financing options may be limited or come with high interest rates, making it difficult to secure the necessary funds for business expansion.
High Interest Rates: Can make it difficult for businesses to secure affordable capital for expansion and can significantly impact their ability to compete in the market. These rates are often driven by factors such as perceived risk, inflation, and the scarcity of creditworthy borrowers.
High risk: Many African countries are perceived as high-risk environments for investment due to political instability, regulatory uncertainties, and economic volatility. This perception can deter potential investors and lenders from supporting local businesses.
The opportunities we see for African entrepreneurs and businesses:
Growing consumer market: Africa’s population is rapidly growing, providing a substantial consumer market for businesses across various sectors.
Natural resources: The continent is rich in natural resources, offering opportunities for businesses in agriculture, mining, and renewable energy.
Technology and innovation: There is a growing tech-savvy population in Africa, and innovations like mobile banking and e-commerce are creating new avenues for businesses to reach customers and operate more efficiently.
Youthful workforce: Africa has a young and increasingly educated workforce, which can be a source of innovation and productivity for businesses.
Regional integration: Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aim to promote intra-Africa trade, potentially opening up larger markets for businesses.
How AECF Addresses these challenges:
Patient capital: AECF provides patient capital to businesses, including grants and zero-interest loans, reducing the financial burden on entrepreneurs and allowing them to focus on growth.
Risk mitigation: AECF works to mitigate investment risks through careful due diligence, providing technical assistance to businesses, and fostering an enabling environment for investment.
Technical assistance: AECF offers advisory services to help businesses develop sustainable models and improve their financial literacy. This support equips entrepreneurs with the skills needed to manage their finances effectively.
Innovation and technology: AECF supports innovative business models and technology-driven solutions, enabling entrepreneurs to leverage advancements in digital technology and reach broader markets.
Regional programs: AECF’s regional programs and initiatives promote cross-border collaboration and help businesses navigate regulatory differences, making it easier for them to expand regionally.
Sectoral focus: AECF targets specific sectors critical to Africa’s development, such as agriculture and renewable energy, aligning investments with the continent’s pressing needs.
Capital: How does AECF collaborate with other stakeholders, such as governments, development agencies, and private sector partners, to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and investment in Africa?
Victoria Sabula: AECF’s core mission revolves around four pivotal pillars; advisory services, investment support and knowledge and insights sharing. These pillars form the bedrock of AECF’s work focus, highlighting a collaborative approach and dedication to making a meaningful impact across the continent.
An example of AECF’s financing pillar is the “Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies (REACT)” window. This initiative extends funding to businesses engaged in developing renewable energy and climate adaptation solutions, fostering collaboration to address energy access and climate challenges in Africa.
The “Investing in Women in South Sudan (IIW-SS)” program stands as a testament to AECF’s dedication to advisory services. Collaboratively, this initiative offers advisory support to women in South Sudan, amplifying their participation in diverse agricultural value chains and enhancing their economic resilience.
The “Agribusiness in Africa Window (AAW),” comprising multiple investment rounds, exemplifies AECF’s commitment to investment support. It vigorously invests in diverse agribusinesses across Africa, engaging in a collaborative effort to provide capital and support, thereby generating employment opportunities and enhancing livelihoods in the agricultural sector.
AECF’s commitment to knowledge and insights sharing is evident in the work with research organizations to put together disseminate knowledge about initiatives, impact, financial, support to policymakers and businesses in making informed decisions regarding vulnerable populations.
By working closely with governments to advocate for policy reforms that promote a business-friendly regulatory environment, collaborating with development agencies to leverage resources and expertise and engages private sector partners to foster innovation and investment in development initiatives, AECF recognizes the importance of using research and sector specific knowledge, and collaboration to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and investment in Africa.
Capital: Could you share some insights into the specific sectors or industries that AECF focuses on? How does it identify priority sectors and align its support with the needs of African economies?
Victoria Sabula: AECF focuses on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy and cross-cutting sectors with the potential for high impact and alignment with African development needs. By conducting rigorous market assessments and engage with local and regional stakeholders to identify priority sectors, AECF can align support and resources. Common areas of focus include agriculture, renewable energy, and financial services. By positioning their support with these sectors, AECF aims to drive sustainable growth and address pressing development challenges for local communities.
Capital: What are the future plans and strategic priorities for AECF? Are there any new initiatives or partnerships on the horizon that will further enhance its impact and reach?
Victoria Sabula: AECF’s future plans involve expanding reach to support more early-stage businesses, particularly those in underserved regions. AECF is continuously seeking partnerships with funders, governments, development partners and private sector enterprises to enhance their impact. AECF is committed to adapting its strategies to meet evolving development needs and maximize its contribution to Africa’s growth.
Capital: How can African entrepreneurs and businesses get involved with AECF? What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs seeking funding and support for their ventures?
Victoria Sabula: African entrepreneurs and businesses can engage with AECF by regularly visiting their website and monitoring calls for proposals, active programmes and opportunities for partnerships and even reaching out with ideas for synergies. AECF offers various funding opportunities and competitions, which typically require applicants to meet specific eligibility criteria. Aspiring entrepreneurs should prepare well-structured business plans, demonstrate a clear understanding of their target markets, and focus on creating sustainable impact. Building a strong professional network and seeking mentorship can also improve their chances of securing support from organizations like AECF.
Passionate printing of money has consequences, even when a country commands global reserve currency like the US. When it comes to creating money out of thin air, it is not like ‘the sky is the limit’ kind of thing. Even in the ludicrous universe of money printing, caution must still be exercised to avoid hyperinflation. Zimbabwe and Venezuela come to mind. Printing of money out of thin air would inevitably have delayed latent effects, even when done prudently. Phony money driven growth (in the world of the rich) or so-called development (in the case of the wretched) is what ails the current global economy. Obviously the rich states should have known better, given their core position in the world system. Unfortunately, these states refuse to reconcile their infantile economic (and other) desires about life with the reality of a finite planet!
The PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) of the European Union are in particular trouble; to say nothing about the impending crisis we are going to face here on our continent. Money printing when considered as the only way out of troubling situations can have serious consequences in the long run. Greece is a member of the OECD, a club of rich countries, and yet, it is going through very hard times, just like the rest of us. One of the major reasons is its accumulated debt, massive debt! This debt is becoming even more unsustainable by the day, particularly after the TROIKA instituted the so-called adjustment/austerity program. Venezuela sits on top of the largest fossil fuel deposit in the world. Yet again, the country is undergoing serious turmoil; even food riots have become everyday occurrences. Brazil is a resource rich country with a not so small modern economy, by any stretch of imagination. In fact, when considered in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), Brazil is amongst the top ten large economies in the world. It is also a member of the globally emerging economic block that goes by the name BRICS. Situations have also become explosive in Brazil. Grand political corruption, amongst other things, remains the major culprit. Its current economic contraction is unseen since the great depression of the 1930s. The moral is; in our complex world, the management of economies should never be left only to the manipulative politicos!
Africa should realize that there is no easy way out or shortcut to its development problematic. Continuously trying to resort to palliative measure will only aggravate the situation down the road. Amassing debt as if there is no tomorrow is at best foolish. Unfortunately, Africa’s elites (like many others elsewhere) never seem to conceive their countries or the continent’s future trajectory outside of the laid out temporal trappings, which are not going to bring salvation to its people. ‘Africa Rising’ is one of this frivolous meme concocted by the power that be to impart a sense of progress, where there is hardly one. The flaunted phony growth is unashamedly based on useless (conspicuous) consumption leveraging massive foreign loans. Such gimmicks only help to fool the sheeple and inflate the elites’ ego. If Africa continues to refuse serious contemplation/study/analysis about its future predicament, its fate is going to be ‘back to the future’, which includes colonialism, direct or otherwise! Today there are a number of African countries that are not able to pay salaries to government employees, without resorting to more loans from abroad. The highly talked about ‘growth’ figures of many countries are not based on sustainable structural transformation but rather on indexes that don’t mean much to the starving people!
In late modernity, income is/was not growing substantially to allow the consumption of ever-increasing supply of goods and services, all over the world. To balance this imbalance the global regime created credit/debt to increase superficial need. The superficially created demand, compliment of debt created out of thin air, has been sustaining the global economy for almost half a century. By now it is clear to perceptive readers that sustainability is not one of the overriding factors of the modern world system, both in the realm of social existence as well as in the world of the natural, hyped rhetoric aside. Time and again, the world has seen drastic consequences of unexamined, unsustainable and naïve undertakings by the politicos resulting in adverse consequences! One should acknowledge that in our increasingly complex world system, important matters like economic governance are bound to be unwieldy, to say nothing about the real challenges of limit to growth, ecosystem destruction, etc. Unless we urgently come up with mechanisms to change this archaic arrangement of yesteryears, humanity’s future cannot be assured!
This was first published in November 2016
King Charles keeps British colonial legacy mindset alive
The issue of abuses committed by UK troops has been left to civil society and remnants of freedom fighters for decades, while avoiding the focus of the country’s media and elites
By Westen K. Shilaho
The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) in Nanyuki, some 195 kilometers north of Nairobi, has elicited controversy over the years. Britain has permanently stationed about 200 soldiers in Kenya at any given time since Kenya gained independence in 1963. The Kenyan government regards its military cooperation with Britain as strategic to its national security, and the British troops and their Kenyan counterparts hold joint training from the camp. Crucially, BATUK is central to Kenya’s contribution to the ‘global fight’ against terrorism as a reliable Western ally in the East African and the Horn subregion. Kenya, to critics, is a proxy in this counterterrorism campaign and acts at the behest of Western powers.
Historically, Kenya has prized its relationship with Britain. Kenya is the first commonwealth country that the British monarch, King Charles III, visited after coronation. It is testament to Kenya’s longstanding relations with Britain. It is also a dubious distinction that shows that the colonial hangover still runs deep in the country. Diplomatically, the two countries have hardly had frosty relations except on occasions when British envoys abandoned diplomatic niceties and pointedly criticized the Kenyan government for runaway corruption, and other state excesses. Mau Mau, a liberation movement that led an uprising against the British colonialists, was only unbanned recently in 2003. Kenya’s postcolonial political elite, offshoots of collaborators – home guards – naturally inherited British antipathy against the Mau Mau and maintained colonial era legislation that outlawed them.
The British government has never acknowledged colonial era atrocities in concentration camps in Kenya that included rape, castrations, torture, and murder. The British monarch, during a state visit to Kenya last week, used the words “greatest sorrow and deepest regret” to describe “the heinous and unjustified acts of violence against Kenyans” during the fight for independence. These are vague words that did not include an apology or a pledge for reparations.
Previous Kenyan presidents had shied away from calling for reparations from Britain. So has the Kenyan media, ever unwilling to sharply frame public interest issues. For decades, this issue has been left to civil society and remnants of freedom fighters. However, President William Ruto unprecedently called for reparations during his meeting with the monarch for egregious atrocities committed against the Mau Mau and various other liberation movements and civilians during colonialism.
The Kenyan government often describes its relations with Britain as warm and cordial despite an atrocious colonial legacy and the postcolonial atrocities by the British troops training from Nanyuki. The monarch described these relations as a “modern partnership of equals.” Critics do not see how a colonial power and its former colony can have such a relationship. They fault the military treaty between Kenya and Britain as a symbol of enduring neocolonialism, imperialism, and erosion of Kenya’s sovereignty. In 2021, the treaty was up for renewal and some voices called for it to be scrapped, but expectedly, it was extended for five more years. This, however, did not dampen calls for reparations and an end to the treaty. Kenya’s political elite is anglophile in orientation. This is why for decades the problematic relations with Britain have not received due attention.
To some residents of Nanyuki, BATUK is a boost to the local economy. Besides employment opportunities to some Kenyans from the area and other parts of the country, this military base has injected $40 million into the local economy since 2016. Whenever the British soldiers come, they spend generously, particularly on entertainment. It is a windfall to some businesspeople and workers. Once they leave, however, the town turns forlorn until the next batch of soldiers arrive. This financial gain is what, to critics, made successive Kenyan governments unable to rein in rogue British soldiers or end this treaty altogether. It is not all glamour with BATUK, however.
This camp is a metaphor of gross human rights violations. Uncleared munitions at the training camp have caused untold suffering to children and adults over the years, but the victims have not had justice. Residents lost lives at the hands of the British soldiers, but no one has been held to account. The military treaty does not explicitly accord the British troops immunity against criminal prosecution, but has a caveat that effectively does. Law-breaking British soldiers can only be tried in Kenya with the agreement of the UK government. It explains why the Kenyan authorities have not held errant British soldiers criminally accountable and the UK government liable for the atrocities associated with its troops. Insidiously, the treaty ringfences British military interests and personnel in Kenya against accountability.
Cases of people being maimed by unexploded ordnance are common in Archer’s Post, an area not too far from Nanyuki. The victims have lost limbs, eyes, hearing, and even life owing to uncleared training grounds. Some of the victims have been compensated, but many more have not, or never will be. Some of the victims lost their cases on technicalities. When injured, disputes sometimes arise as to whose unexploded munition it was since Kenyan and British troops train in the same area.
British troops have also been accused of raping Kenyan women with impunity over the decades. The plight of these victims is never taken seriously, owing to the lack of political will to stand up to the British. The balance of power between Britain and Kenya is lopsided, weighted heavily towards Britain. Ordinary Kenyans’ lives are trivialized by the government’s unwillingness to fight for them.
One of the most egregious cases of impunity by the British troops in Nanyuki is the murder of a young Kenyan woman, Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was dumped in a hotel septic tank close to the camp in 2012. She had been seen alive in the company of a British soldier. The suspect showed other soldiers the body and the murder was reported to senior British officers, but no action was taken. The suspect was allowed to leave Kenya and while in Britain, allegedly casually confessed to colleagues that he murdered the woman. This story was broken by the British media and half-heartedly amplified by the Kenyan press. Authorities in Nairobi showed a nominal interest in the case to save face. The government and media’s first priority appeared to be damage control, not concern for justice for Wanjiru – or for others who have been maimed and died over the years courtesy of British troops.
Once the story fell off the front pages of newspapers and prime time headlines, the government went back to default settings. They could not afford to associate BATUK with atrocities and jeopardize their relationship with Britain. The murder of Wanjiru was as much an indictment on the Kenyan government as it was on a military treaty that enables the commission of gross human rights violations in Nanyuki and its surroundings without accountability. It highlights racial undertones in the relations between the two countries. Whiteness shields these British troops from justice and the authorities of Kenya and Britain seem to converge on this recalcitrant legacy of impunity.
Despite lone voices from social media and civil society who question the relevance of BATUK 60 years after independence, the military pact is likely to exist far into the future and its supposed benefits overplayed. The British monarch was obsequiously accorded red-carpet treatment throughout his four-day state visit to Kenya. Consciousness about the disturbing relationship between Kenya and Britain is yet to take hold in the imagination of a critical mass of Kenyans. Until that happens, troops associated with BATUK will continue to hurt Kenyans without any recourse to justice.
Dr. Westen K. Shilaho isSenior Research Fellow in Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, University of Johannesburg
Despite the instances of drought creeping up in the country, the Ministry of Water and Energy announces that the trajectory of power generation through hydropower has increased.
In 2022/23, Ethiopia generated hydropower for neighboring countries Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya.
According to Eng. Habtamu Itefa (PhD), Minister of Water and Energy, the country in the concluded fiscal year supplied 1.7 million GW hour of electricity, which was an increase of 15 percent over the spread of the past five years.
As the Minister depicted in a recent encounter with media, “This export capacity has increased over the last five years by 15%. In 2019, the export capacity was only about 1 million GW hour, but now the figure is 1.7 million GW hour which is about 15% every year.”
“The energy potential generation capacity that we got this year, could achieve 5.42 GW generation capacity including that of GERD,” revealed Eng. Habtamu.
“Having sufficient water capacity to generate hydropower will make us better than other parts of the neighboring countries,” cited the minister, adding, “The investments made so far in building various electricity lines connecting from Ethiopia to Kenya and Djibouti, will be instrumental in our endeavor.”
When asked about the effect of the drought on hydropower generation, the Minister acknowledged that the drought had caused a drop in rainfall. However, Eng. Habtamu pointed out that, “With regards to water levels of the dam due to insufficient rainfall, the ministry had contingency strategies in place to maintain the water level in the reservoirs so that the generation capacity could not be reduced.”
