Base titanium in Kwale. FILE PHOTO | NMG
President Uhuru Kenyatta recently announced his Big Four Agenda,
outlining his government’s priorities for his second term and laying
the foundation on which his legacy will be built. The four areas of
focus are food and nutrition security, affordable housing, enhanced
manufacturing and universal health coverage.
At first
glance these priorities look very sector specific, potentially leading
to stakeholders operating in other sectors feeling left out of the
national development agenda. However, if we take a moment to analyse
them, we see that, owing to their cross cutting nature, the Big Four are
also relevant to other sectors.
For example, it is
difficult to have a conversation about universal healthcare without also
including the insurance sector, or indeed agriculture without
addressing the role of the banking sector in enabling sustainability.
Another
angle worth exploring is the role other more nascent sectors can play
in enabling quick realisation of the Big Four Agenda. Let us consider
the mining sector; while currently it contributes just 1% to the
country’s GDP, its potential to spur growth across multiple sectors is
invaluable for the Kenya growth agenda.
A clear case in point is that of Kenya’s largest mining
operation, Base Titanium’s Kwale mine. The Kwale Mine was recently
granted Vision 2030 flagship project status in recognition of the
significant contribution it is making to the national economy and its
transformative impact on the mining sector.
The Kwale
mine accounts for nearly 60 per cent of Kenya’s total mineral output
value; it is the largest source of exports by tonnage through the Port
of Mombasa and the highest valued export to China. It offers a good
example of how mining firms can align themselves with the Big Four
Agenda for inclusive growth.
The mine consumes Sh3.7
billion worth of non-labour inputs annually, contributing significantly,
not only to supply chain employment, but the economic output of the
goods and services supply sector. Base Titanium’s community investment
strategy is built on four key pillars – providing social infrastructure,
sustainable livelihood enhancement programmes, health and education
programmes. Investment in these programmes has now collectively passed
Sh1 billion and is having a significant impact on the socio-economic
development of Kwale County.
Over 3,500 Kwale farmers
are currently participating in Base Titanium’s agricultural programmes.
These programmes are designed to enhance livelihood opportunities and
many also act to address food and nutrition security.
Food
and nutrition security is addressed through the food crop programmes.
Participating farmers are provided training, initial inputs and ongoing
technical support.
Base Titanium’s community
development programmes are also contributing to the enhancement of
Kenya’s manufacturing sector. The Cotton Programme, with 1,500 local
farmers participating, aims to return Kwale County to a cotton growing
hub like it was in the 1970s.
The sorghum programme,
currently with 550 participants, has seen farmers enter into a
memorandum of understanding with East Africa Breweries Limited, allowing
them to sell their produce directly to the brewer, eliminating
middlemen and helping to ensure the sustainability of the programme long
after Base Titanium has ceased mining.
Realising
improved health outcomes is not only a Big Four Agenda objective, it is a
core focus of the Kwale County Government. Base Titanium has repeatedly
partnered with the county government to achieve these goals.
While
not directly a Big Four Agenda item, training and development of
Kenya’s youth to ensure a highly skilled and competent workforce feeds
into the Big Four and is an extremely important supporting component.
Base Titanium is playing a key role in this regard. There is clearly
potential for mining and many other industries across the economy to
contribute to the government’s Big Four Agenda.
By
working with stakeholders in these sectors and facilitating further
investment, the government can accelerate the accomplishment of its
objectives while bringing about real and sustained economic development
for all Kenyans.
John Ngumi, director, Base Titanium
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