The Rockefeller Foundation Launches New Africa Regional Office
NAIROBI, July 13 – The Rockefeller Foundation President, Dr. Judith Rodin, today officially opened the Foundation's new Africa Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a key milestone in the Foundation's decades-long work focused on supporting innovative solutions to complex development challenges across Africa. The opening of the regional office strengthens the Foundation's capacity to support development work undertaken by the Foundation towards building resilience to climate change, strengthening food security and promoting growth with equity in the continent.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, said:
“As we approach our Centennial celebration, we look back with pride on our history here. But much more importantly, we look forward to the next hundred years and to working with you to help build resilience to climate change, transform health systems throughout the region, and attract private investment to enable real, sustainable and equitable economic growth.”
The Foundation has a longstanding presence in the African region, particularly in Kenya where its regional office is based and has been in operation for the last four decades. The Foundation's work in Africa has focused on critical issues surrounding poverty and economic instability with a specific focus on health, population, education and agriculture, as well as on leveraging resources from a range of partners, including government, industry and other development organizations. Through the years, the Foundation's support has led to the development of vaccines for deadly diseases, greater access to higher education, and improved crop varieties for farmers and ultimately had a major impact for communities across Africa.
James Nyoro, Managing Director of the African Regional Office for the Rockefeller Foundation, said:
“The Rockefeller Foundation is delighted to work with all stakeholders as we continue to promote resilience to the devastating effects of climate change, reinvent how health care systems serve the people, and support the growth of impact investment. Our areas of focus remain critical in ensuring that Africa will enjoy the benefits of globalization.”
He further explained that by addressing real world challenges through research and innovation, the Foundation continues to contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Successes such as the development of the yellow fever vaccine and the establishment of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) are prime examples of the Foundation's commitment to improving the well-being of the African people.
In attendance at the official opening were prominent government officials, Foundation grantees, diplomats and development partners, including: the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta, the Honorable Joseph Nyagah, Minister for Cooperative Development and Marketing, and the USAID Mission Director in Nairobi Erna Kerst.
The new Office of the Rockefeller Foundation is located in Capitol Hill Square, off Haile Selassie Avenue, Upper Hill, Nairobi.