A high-level mission by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), from (24-26 June 2024) to Kenya has successfully unlocked a EUR 6 million grant for Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) beneficiaries. The mission, led by Directors Mr. Symerre Grey-Johnson and Mr. Ola Ehinmoro, focused on finalizing a Grant Financing Agreement (GFA) between Kenya’s National Treasury and Economic Planning (NT&EP) and AUDA-NEPAD.

The mission saw the finalizing of the GFA by facilitating negotiations for its signing and ensuring that the Government of Kenya provided EUR 884,834 for Kisumu and Kisii National Polytechnics. The disbursement of EUR 6 million in SIFA financing is contingent on the counterpart contribution.

The Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA), funded by the German Government (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) through KfW Development Bank, is implemented by AUDA-NEPAD across eight AU member states. In Kenya, SIFA Funding Window 1 grants of EUR 6 million have been allocated to Kisumu and Kisii National Polytechnics. Additionally, EUR 1,019,389 from SIFA Funding Window 3 has been granted to Nakuru Training Institute, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), and MDF.

From left Carlton Aslett, James Wamwangi, Director Symerre Grey-Johnson, Dr Rose Kitur, Amb. Samori Okwiya, Director Ola Ehinmoro, Norman Khoza, and Mr Ali

Additionally, engagements, during the mission, with NEPAD/APRM Kenya focused on enhancing collaboration between the two entities and discussed the implementation strategies with SIFA grantees to accelerate project progress.  In these engagements, the CEO of NEPAD/ APRM Kenya, Ambassador Samori Okwiya emphasised the need for coordinated efforts for project implementation in Kenya.  He assured AUDA-NEPAD of his office's full support in fast-tracking and accelerating project implementation. AUDA-NEPAD reciprocated by committing to expedite the SIFA program and enhance collaboration with NEPAD/APRM Kenya. Director Grey-Johnson highlighted AUDA-NEPAD’s support programs, totalling approximately USD 20 million. Both parties agreed on increased collaboration and the inclusion of NEPAD/APRM officials in the SIFA Projects Coordination Committee.

The SIFA ceremonial signing with the grantees will take place on August 22, 2024, in Nairobi.

The team also held engagements with representatives from both Kisumi and Kisii National Polytechnics.

Kisumu National Polytechnic: Chief Principal, Ms. Catherine Kelonye announced the signing of the GFA by NT&EP, with preparations underway for full implementation. The Polytechnic has initiated new courses in Aquaculture and Water Engineering.

Kisii National Polytechnic: Deputy Principal, Ms. Beatrice Nyareki and SIFA Project Coordinator, Mr. Frederick Mayaka outlined plans for constructing an agro-processing unit, laboratories, an incubation center, and renovating livestock facilities. New courses in Animal Health and Horticulture have also commenced at the center. It was agreed that Kisii NP will share a labor market survey report and revised Request for Proposals (RFP) with Financial Management Team (FMT) to further accelerate project implementation.

This mission underscores AUDA-NEPAD’s commitment to advancing education and skills development in Kenya through timely execution of SIFA-funded projects.