By BUSINESS BEAT
Q: You have plunged into the oil and gas business through your investment in CAMAC Energy. Kenya’s Mining Bill 2013 has faced major criticism, among them that it will discourage prospectors like CAMAC from Kenya. What do you think needs to be changed in the Bill, if at all, and why?
Gina: We all know that exploration is extremely capital intensive. Most oil exploration companies will be raising money from internal sources as well as global markets. I believe the Ministry of Energy is taking best practices from around the world to ensure we manage the oil discoveries Kenya's fortunate to have as well as to manage the expectations of the Kenyan people. There is no doubt that this could be a game changer for us as a country but we must be realistic and patient ensuring its a win-win for both communities and investors.
Q: Camac Energy recently got a boost with the injection of $270 million by South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation ahead of listing on the JSE in South Africa. As a director of Camac, corporate disclosure rules might limit what you can reveal, but would you care to comment on Camac’s plans for Kenya For instance, are we going to see similar deals to raise cash for ventures in Kenya?
Gina: We have four blocks in Kenya and are encouraged by the prospects. As you know we opened offices in Nairobi a few months ago and we are definitely in Kenya for the long haul. It's a very exciting time to be a player in the Energy sector in the region.
Q: Why did you settle on Camac and the oil industry?
Gina: Camac Energy are not new to me. I have known them for many years.
Actually I didn't go to look for oil and I didn't know anything about energy, but they came looking for me, and 18 months ago I became a director of Camac Energy Kenya. This is a good opportunity to play a role in the energy sector. The corporate side of the business is still very much a man’s world, but on the technical side there are now a number of woman. Camac is an incredible story of African success and resilience and has been a large motivation to be the storyteller of the amazing positive stories on the continent. I grew tired of turning on the TV and hearing the usual narrative about Africa — of sad people, happy animals, uneducated children, war, corruption and so on. I want to be among the people that will change this narrative. Our real natural resources aren't oil, gold or diamonds. It is our incredibly well educated human capital.
Q: You were one of 32 women and only six Kenyans listed recently among the 100 most influential Africans by African Business magazine. Some say Kenya’s PR industry is at a crossroads and doing things the old fashioned way isn’t working anymore. What is your take?
Gina: There's a difference between a career and a calling and my career in PR is very much about my passion for my work. My new partner Eddie Ndegwa and I want to grow the brand. My calling is to serve Africa and my tribe is Africa. I don't even have a rural home! What I bring is diversity. I look at my brand and my clients’ brands and realise we are myopic by focusing only on Kenya.
Q: As a pioneer in the industry, many of the top names now making waves in the sector passed through your hands. What is your secret?
Gina: I am a strong believer in God. In the last two years, He has placed amazing opportunities on my path, and it is important we try to make these tag lines of "The African Renaissance a reality. We need to build brands that serve Africa, and to do so we need an Africa that is actually rising. Infrastructure is key and so is security. Our younger leaders must place more emphasis on transparency, accountability and the youth.
Q: Was the recent rebranding of Gina Din more of a strategic realignment to create an integrated services group?
Gina: The Gina Din Group bears my name. It's in my blood and a result of many years of sweat and tears but it's my DNA and I will continue to nurture and grow it. We are producing a TV show, "At the table with Gina Din" which seeks to do just that. The show is our platform for more ventures into the expanding digital space.
Q: As a wife and mother how have you achieved work, life balance?
Gina: My dream was always to build more than a CV or a profile of the incredible work we have done. While it is great to have won so many awards praise, I still feel it took to long to get here. I wanted to achieve all this much earlier in life, but I needed to give myself the time. I was on this constant treadmill for clients ans so had to be more tactical than I wanted. Every game has its rules and you have to play according to them even if they irritate you. If you are lucky then you get to change the rules. That's what I am doing. A symphony conductor can't lead without a symphony. I finally got off the crazy treadmill and I have more time for my clients.
Q: Is there an end game to all this?
Gina: I feel like it is only half time at a football match. What people rememb is the result of the match, how one finishes, and I intend to finish strong. I intend to spend time on my endgame. Growing my brand, mentoring African youth to feel confident enough to take their seat at the high table. I want to cross the finish line knowing I have made a difference to this incredible continent I call home.
