Kenya should lead the African climate agenda, say experts

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NAIROBI, Kenya - President William Ruto has been urged to take the lead in driving the African Climate Change Agenda as he hosts over 24 continent heads of state and dignitaries attending the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.

Jane Muigai-Kamphius, founder and director of Toolkit for Skills and an Innovation Hub while speaking in Nairobi when she hosted a team of delegations attending the summit.

“This is an opportunity for the President of Kenya to present his vision for low carbon growth for our continent, in that two realities must hold. We know that the truth of climate change today is devastating. We are facing some of the most vulnerable situations we are losing the ability to adapt because of mainly the levels of poverty that are debilitating. On our continent. But what makes this special moment even more important for Africa is that we have the opportunity to demonstrate a new level of leadership as Africans,” she says.

“But the most exciting which makes Toolkit at the center of our day-to-day is the fact that we have the fastest and youngest growing workforce in the world. And that workforce will have to power the renewable energy sector.”

The team of delegations drawn from different countries who are attending the inaugural Africa Climate Summit visited the Toolkit for Skills & Innovation Hub (TTI). The visit was organized by World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa, in collaboration with the Toolkit for Skills & Innovation Hub (TTI), the Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Sun Africa Renewable Energy Solutions.

The high-level dialogue meeting was centered on the theme 'Skilling Africa's Youth for an Inclusive & Just Transition. The meeting took place at the Toolkit and Innovation Hub (TTI) Center in Kiambu County.

Mutula Kilonzo Junior - Governor of Makueni County who was part of the team underscored the indispensable role of skilled youth in achieving an inclusive and just transition. The county boss further highlighted the importance of investing in youth to ensure long-term prosperity.

"Makueni County is dedicated to providing our youth with the skills they need to succeed. This event showcases the significance of such initiatives in creating a more equitable and resilient future."

Wanjira Mathai – Managing Director, Africa & Global Partnerships, WRI, pointed out the critical need for collaboration across stakeholders. She commented, "Initiatives like TTI's thrive on partnerships.

“Collaborations between governments, the private sector, and organizations like ours are essential to effectively scale impactful programs. Together, we can empower youth to drive the transformative change needed for a sustainable future."

According to Jane Muigai-Kamphius, founder and director of Toolkit for Skills and Innovation Hub, African youth should tap into climate change space for employment.

"TTI takes pride in having trained over 6,000 youth, equipping them with skills that align with the job market. Our innovative programs blend technical training with life skills, ensuring comprehensive development. Through strategic partnerships, we envision extending our impact to train over 47,000 more youth."

The event also revealed the findings of a comprehensive report by TTI on skilling African youth for an inclusive and just transition. The report highlighted the crucial role of targeted skills development in enhancing climate resilience and facilitating a seamless transition to sustainable industries. The report also identified challenges and opportunities for scaling up youth skilling initiatives, offering a strategic roadmap for stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

The team of delegations was taken through the Youth Skills Bazaar, a hands-on exhibition showcasing Toolkit's initiatives in renewable energy, Virtual Reality-based welding, and agribusiness.

The Africa Climate Summit is championed by President William Ruto and aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs, both globally and particularly in Africa. With the expectation of escalating climate crises in terms of frequency and intensity, urgent action is required to mitigate these challenges. This Summit will serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the Nairobi Declaration.

GAROWE ONLINE

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