German investors are rapidly establishing their presence in the country with major investment portfolios, which is indeed a boost to the Kenyan economy. Recently, BASF, the world’s leading chemical company from Germany, officially opened a new office in Nairobi, which will care for customers in East and Sub-Sahara Africa. The move is part of BASF’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Africa’s emerging markets. Jacques Delmoitiez, president of BASF Europe, Africa and Middle-East, said the reason for this is that Africa is a vast, resource-rich continent with a rapidly growing population and economy. The continent is being looked upon as fertile ground to birth such lucrative multi-million dollar initiatives.

Having lived in Kenya for many years, I feel that it is of great importance to make the country conducive for such foreign investments trickling in. I was pleased to learn that BASF plans to double its sales numbers in Africa by the year 2020. Through its social foundation in Kibera, BASF also officially launched a social project, which has been planned and implemented jointly with UN-HABITAT and local partners. The Kibera Soweto East Resource Center provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy for disabled children and medical care for infants and toddlers.

Carla Bonne, Nairobi.