Kenya and Germany: 60 years of thriving partnership

Dear Kenyans,

Pongezi Kenya kwa miaka sitini! Kenya just celebrated 60 years of independence and Germany wholeheartedly congratulates the Kenyan people on this special. At the same time, I invite you to join us in celebrating 60 years of friendship between Germany and Kenya.

Germany was the first country to recognize Kenya as a sovereign nation-state, reason enough to share with you some highlights of our cooperation. Our relationship flourishes, based on a strong development cooperation and featuring an impressive number of economic, political and cultural projects.

We support the upgrade of Olkaria geothermal power plant and have set up TVET centres of excellence in Nairobi and Kiambu. We promote Blue Economy at the coast and, in partnership with GIZ, support small-scale farmers in Western Kenya. In partnership with N-TV, we co-hosted the Berlin marathon watch party in Eldoret.

We have restored the Rabai Resource Centre and re-inaugurated the former German post office on Lamu Island. The Goethe Institute every year organizes the German cultural festival. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) runs academic exchange and stipend programs, through which more than 18.000 Kenyans have benefitted so far. These are only a few of the many examples of our vibrant cooperation.

Together with our Kenyan partners, we have set course to explore more opportunities for our people: Our governments are committed to facilitating more skilled labour migration to the benefit of both our economies. Very recently, Kenya has joined the Compact with Africa initiative that aims at improving investment opportunities in Africa and investments in the continent’s infrastructure.

At COP28 Kenya and Germany jointly advocated for the decarbonisation of industry and are partnering on many initiatives to fight climate change and to leave an inhabitable world for our children. Together, we can shape a better future. Tuzidi kushirikiana pamoja!

TESTIMONIALS

DAAD Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi: 50 Years of DAAD in East Africa

The University of Nairobi earlier this year hosted the DAAD 50-year celebration of Kenya- German Academic Exchange celebrating its Alumni. In the last 50 years since the DAAD established an office in Nairobi, around 18,000 Kenyans have been supported by the DAAD to study in Kenya, within sub-Saharan Africa, and in Germany!

Munich Leaders Meeting

Ensuring a stronger African voice in the international system, forging mutually beneficial partnerships, delivering on international commitments and shared values, and translating words into concrete policy action: Those were the issues discussed at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Nairobi on October 15-16, hosted by the Munich Security Conference. More than 90 leaders from over 20 countries representing governments, parliaments, civil society, the private sector, think-tanks, and universities engaged in intense discussions.

Climate and Energy Cooperation

Kenya is a leader when it comes to the use of renewable energy in Africa. It already generates about 90 percent of its electricity from renewable sources (primarily geothermal power, hydropower, and wind power). At the same time Kenya is strongly affected by the impacts of climate change. Therefore, in November 2022 at the International Climate Conference on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Kenya and Germany agreed to enter into a Climate and Development Partnership, to intensify cooperation in the areas of climate mitigation and adaptation.

While the cooperation in the area of adaptation focuses on building resilience especially in the ASAL counties and the agricultural sector, the mitigation side of the Partnership focuses on innovative approaches like e-mobility and green hydrogen. The Climate and Development Partnership between Kenya and Germany builds upon the two countries’ long-standing development cooperation, especially in the areas of renewable energy (geothermal power and grid expansion) and agriculture (resilience of agricultural systems).

Scholarships at the German School Nairobi

The German School Nairobi initiated a scholarship programme in 2008, with the goal of offering outstanding Kenyan students a first-class education in the German Language. Students who successfully complete their final exam (“Abitur”) are given the opportunity to continue their tertiary education in Germany. The school leaving certificate is recognised in all EU and non-EU countries (including the USA), and at the University of Nairobi.

Kibera Fashion Week by Goethe-Institut Kenya

Kibera Fashion Week has created collaboration among artists in Kibera, and that is one of the things I needed as an artist – to work with other industry makers,” says James Dundi. The Goethe-Institut has for 60 years been a partner of the local cultural scene, building networks to confront the challenges of our time. While the climate crisis looms large, we started a new initiative with our partners. Kibera Fashion Week is a project firmly rooted in the belief that the creatives of Kibera possess the skills to become pioneers in a sustainable and ethical creative industry.

Written by H.E Sebastian Groth.