Sylvia Duruson
The Republic of Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs has entered a partnership with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration aims to create localized job opportunities through Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and IT outsourcing. Qhala Trust, a non-profit organization, has facilitated this partnership, which will connect skilled Kenyan workers with job opportunities in Hamburg, Germany.
The initiative begins with a pilot program in Nakuru County, with plans for future expansion. This city-to-city partnership is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Berlin by key representatives from both countries. Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto presided over the signing ceremony, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting the BPO sector in Kenya to meet the needs of German and European clients.
President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s growing reputation as the “silicon savanna,” where technology, innovation, and creativity are central to development. He expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration between German technology and Kenyan talent, viewing it as a win-win opportunity for both nations.
The partnership addresses a critical need in Germany, where job growth is significant but immigration constraints limit labor importation. By tapping into Kenya’s skilled workforce without physical relocation, this collaboration offers a solution to Germany’s labor shortage while providing opportunities for Kenyan professionals.
Dr. Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala Trust, emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing the disparity between talent distribution and opportunity. She sees this agreement as a decisive step towards changing the lives of young, skilled Kenyans by providing them with platforms to apply their talents where they are most needed.
Professor Karl-Heinz Paqué, Chairman of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation Board, described the partnership as opening a new chapter of cooperation between Germany and Kenya. He highlighted the potential of remote work and business process outsourcing as a mutually beneficial model for both countries.
The project will initially focus on Nakuru as the first Kenyan city involved, with plans to expand to four other counties. Qhala will establish an investor outreach hub within Nakuru County to attract and manage more investments and partnerships across Kenya.
Lish AI Labs will play a crucial role in this collaborative effort, serving as a digital hub that provides AI-driven training and cloud-based job opportunities in Nakuru County. This aligns with Qhala Trust’s mission to empower young people in Sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation for sustainable livelihoods.
This partnership represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between talent and opportunity on an international scale. By leveraging technology and cross-border collaboration, Kenya and Germany are paving the way for a new model of global workforce engagement that could potentially reshape the future of work in both countries.
