Sustainable Business Magazine Issue 07/19

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SUSTAINABLE ISSUE 07/19 06/19

B U S I N E S S

M A G A Z I N E

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

MEDICAL CENTER NEW ERA HOMES 2000

REZA PAKRAVAN

ZAMBIA

TRAVEL GUIDE

BAHAMASAIR BERKAN CONSTRUCTION

KENYA POWER AND LIGHTING COMPANY

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ALSO FEATURED THIS ISSUE AASHE • WTM CONFERENCE • PLUS MUCH MORE

S U S TA I N I N G T O M O R R O W. T O D AY

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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SUSTAINABLE

B U S I N E S S

M A G A Z I N E

SBM Media Ltd - Henderson Business Centre, 51 Ivy Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 8BF, United Kingdom • T: +44 (0)1603 516519 Email: info@sustainablebusinessmagazine.net www.sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

Editor:

George Newell

Senior Writer:

Marcus Bonnano

Profile Writer:

Liam Pritchett

Regional Manager:

Josh Edwards

Business Development: George Bell

Sustainable Business Magazine is committed to promoting sustainable printing.

This magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified material and manufactured using environmentally sustainable procedures.

All lithographic printer inks used are vegetable-based.

Welcome to the latest edition of Sustainable Business Magazine.

This is the last SBM to be written and published in the 2010s, a decade which began for many with optimism and ends with deep global uncertainty. Old, seemingly-stable political structures are being reformed before our eyes. Ancient natural environments and ecosystems are on the brink of collapse. Questions which once seemed largely to have been resolved – questions about the role of the free market, about the utopian potential of technology, about our ability to respond to grave changes to the climate – have been wrenched painfully open once again.

The past decade, which began with the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, reached its hopeful zenith with the 2016 Paris Agreement, when almost 200 countries committed to necessary emissions reductions targets in order to keep global temperatures “well below” pre-industrial levels. Yet at the end of 2019, the United Nations’ latest Emissions Gap Report found we are lagging far behind these targets, jeopardizing the future of this planet.

As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, a new generation of activists are questioning the ability of capitalism to address complex social and environmental challenges.

The onus, then, is on business to prove its adaptability in a world where, for too long, short-term profit has come at the expense of long-term prosperity.

Across the world, businesses have awoken to the impossibility of continuing with the same assumptions. By the end of the decade, sustainability strategies, frequently created in response to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, have become the norm. Companies have grown accustomed to the language of social and environmental responsibility, and concepts like the circular economy, net zero, and supply-chain sustainability have entered the popular corporate lexicon.

The importance of these attitudinal shifts can’t be overstated. Now comes the hard part, in which all of us have to go further, push harder, innovate more, and make more sacrifices, in order to fend off these multi-faceted social and climate emergencies.

This issue of SBM features companies and organizations around the world who are responding to the unique challenges and pressures of the 2010s, and who are trying to adapt for the future in inventive new ways. From ambitious waste and energy goals at a medical center, to new ways of thinking about housing, from harnessing the power of tourism to protect wildlife, to a new bicycle made out of bamboo, we hope some of the fresh ideas in this issue will provide inspiration at the dawn of the new decade.

Details of upcoming sustainability events around the world throughout January, February, and March can be found on our events calendar.

We hope that you find this issue both interesting and inspiring. Thank you for reading.

Regional Executive:

Jake Curtis

Web Administrator: Ashley Hewitt

CONTENTS ISSUE 07/19 04

06

Foreword: The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

Interview: University of Nebraska Medical Center

12

Report: Majid Al-Futtaim

14

Interview: Berkan Construction

22

Interview: New Era Homes 2000

26

Interview: Bahamasair

30

Interview: TSTT

34

Travel Guide: Zambia

50

Interview: ESWADE

54

Q&A: Reza Pakravan

56

Travel Guide: Uganda

64

Interview: KPLC

70

Interview: Laser Property Services

74

Technology Review: my Boo

76

Conference Review: Travel Forward

79

Advertisers Index

The Sustainable Business Magazine Team

© SBM Media Ltd 2019. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form for any purpose, other than short sections for the purpose of review, without prior consent of the publisher.

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FOREWORD: AASHE SUSTAINABLE CAMPUSES

SUSTAINABLE

CAMPUSES A foreword by Meghan Fay Zahniser, AASHE Executive Director

MEGHAN FAY ZAHNISER, AASHE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is proud to support the “Sustainable Campuses” series that recognizes achievements of the higher education sector and their ef4 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

forts toward developing a thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world.

AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. We enable members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development opportunities to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges.

We support the higher education community through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), modeling Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the AASHE Conference & Expo and more.

STARS STARS was introduced as a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. This program incentivizes institutions to deepen their efforts and provides an open platform for information sharing.

STARS has become the global standard for sustainability in higher education and has more than 320 rated institutions from nearly 1,000 participants.

STARS is being used by institutions in 38 countries, and we are happy to share a few recent STARS firsts including: • The University College Cork becoming the first institution in Ireland to earn a STARS rating and the first institution outside the U.S. and Canada to achieve STARS Gold rating.

• Thompson Rivers University becoming the first institution in Canada and the first Master’s institution to achieve a STARS Platinum rating.

• American University of Sharjah becoming the first institution in the Middle East to achieve a STARS rating.

We are also excited to share that in 2019, we will release STARS version 2.2 which will align with the Sustainable Development Goals. This will enable institution’s to not only celebrate their successes and identify areas for improvement within their institution, but also to better understand how their efforts on campus are contributing to the global goals. In time this will enable us to demonstrate the important role that higher education plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION We recently shared our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) statement. Though the statement is new, we have been working to advance DEI for several years both within our organization as well as the larger movement.

Now, more than ever before, there’s a sense of urgency to not only publicly proclaim our commitment, but to reaffirm our resolve to advancing DEI as core values.

We have always defined sustainability as an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations. Releasing this statement not only demonstrates the importance of DEI, but it also reaffirms our view in sustainability being all-encompassing.

2019 AASHE CONFERENCE & EXPO Expected to draw approximately 2,000 participants, AASHE’s annual conference is the largest stage in North America to exchange effective models, policies, research, co-

laborations, and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education and beyond.

With a theme of Co-Creating a Sustainable Economy, AASHE 2019 is tackling the root cause for the continued rise in carbon emissions: our dysfunctional economic system. The conference seeks to showcase and strengthen higher education’s contributions to the movement for a sustainable economy, which we see as inclusive of the exciting work happening under a variety of other names such as the solidarity economy, wellbeing economy, circular economy, postgrowth economy, regenerative economy and restorative economy.

This year’s conference takes place Oct. 27-30 in Spokane, Washington, USA. Attendees can expect thought-provoking keynote speakers, hundreds of sessions to engage all higher education sustainability interests, and an expo hall with innovative products and services sure to inspire.

THANK YOU We are grateful to represent and support a community that is focused on leading the global sustainability transformation through STARS, DEI, our annual conference, and more. It is critical that all sectors of society play a vital role in advancing global sustainability. Higher education, along with businesses, governments, and civil society organizations around the globe, have significant impacts on human and ecological health.

While we believe that higher education can be the foundation for creating a thriving, equitable, and ecologically healthy world, we embrace and thank the supporters from all sectors who contribute to making a better world for all generations.

The “Sustainable Campuses” series provides us the opportunity to better recognize and understand what strategies and programs work well at institutions throughout the world. Higher education, in many ways, is already leading in various aspects of sustainability innovation and other sectors can learn a lot from the successes of colleges and universities. Through partnership and collaboration across sectors, my hope is that we will continue to learn, innovate and work to achieve the sustainable world we want and need.

Thank you,

Meghan Fay Zahniser AASHE Executive Director SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

A HEALTHY

FUTURE FOR ALL Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Melanie Stewart, sustainability manager at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine, about net zero goals, new technologies, and the intersection of sustainability and healthcare.

UNMC is Nebraska’s only public academic health sciences center. Part of the overall University of Nebraska system, UNMC’s main campus is based in midtown Omaha, and with their clinical partner Nebraska Medicine have a mission statement of: ‘To lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research, and extraordinary patient care.’

“For us, being sustainable is part of healthcare,” says Melanie Stewart, Sustainability Manager for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. “It is preventive care. For example, if we pollute less, air and water quality can improve, which means there will be more clean air and water available to breathe and drink. We have been working on recycling and some other projects since the mid80s, but we really ramped up sustainability in a formal setting in 2010.”

Healthcare facilities are some of the most energy-intensive buildings in the United States. “It was difficult to know where 6 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

to start at first,” says Ms. Stewart. “Do you start with lighting? Do you start with your chiller? Do you work on recycling bins?

That’s when we began working with Verdis Group on a sustainability master plan that not only helped outline those goals, but also the different strategies needed to reach those goals. And in doing so we created our triple bottom line: All of our strategies have to be positive for people, the planet, and be economically sound as well.”

AMBITIOUS GOALS That initial Sustainability Master Plan set ambitious targets, including carbon neutrality across UNMC and Nebraska Medicine by 2050. “But with recent scientific findings, we decided these goals weren’t enough,” says Ms. Stewart. “In 2017 we revamped our Sustainability Master Plan to have even more ambitious goals. In the new plan, there are six core goals, and everything is factored into them. We have pledged to be net zero building emissions

“IT IS PREVENTATIVE CARE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE POLLUTE LESS, AIR AND WATER QUALITY CAN IMPROVE, WHICH MEANS THERE WILL BE MORE CLEAN AIR AND WATER AVAILABLE WHEN PEOPLE NEED IT. “

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INTERVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

(carbon neutral) by 2030. I believe we are one of only six hospitals or medical centers in the United States with a net zero emissions goal. We also have pledged to achieve net zero water, which means we are pledging to not use more water in a given year than would fall on our property in that year. This will be a 54% reduction from the baseline for our campus.”

The Sustainability Master Plan also sets a net zero waste goal. “This means at least 90% of our waste needs to be diverted away from landfill, incineration, and the ocean,” explains Ms. Stewart. “Burning plastics and trash means putting a lot of things up into the atmosphere that negatively affect human health. So we’re looking at diverting this by recycling, using less, and composting.”

Another component of the new Sustainability Master Plan concerns campus planning.

“We want to maintain or improve our current campus density,” says Ms. Stewart. “We are fairly landlocked in the middle of a city, and we want to build up, not out. That will really help our campus to become more easily accessible, not only for the students and employees who come here every day but also 8 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

for our patients and visitors. We also have a new active transportation goal, as we met our previous goal early. We have revamped it to pledge that 35% of all employee commutes use active transportation, like walking, biking, carpooling, and riding the bus.”

REDUCING CONSUMPTION UNMC already has made major reductions to their energy consumption and waste.

“From 2010 to 2015 we reduced energy consumption by 25%,” explains Ms. Stewart.

“From 2015 to present, we have opened more than 1 million square feet of new space on campus, which has inevitably affected our overall usage, but our use per square foot continues to decline. This past winter,

we completed the largest rooftop solar panel installation in the state of Nebraska, and we are now getting half a megawatt of solar power from that. We’re working on our efficiency in several different ways: Consuming less, consuming more efficiently, and replacing what we do consume in fossil fuels with renewables.”

“We’ve also been working hard at our materials goal of zero waste, which is very tangible and something that a lot of people see,” says Ms. Stewart. “We received a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust through the Nebraska Recycling Council last year that helped us to get recycling bins in more places and thereby make recycling more convenient for people. Our Travel-

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INTERVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

“I BELIEVE WE ARE ONE OF ONLY SIX HOSPITALS OR MEDICAL CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES WITH A NET ZERO EMISSIONS GOAL.”

Smart program is something that continues to grow here on campus and with other people in our community who are replicating it, which has a broad community impact in the way of traffic, congestion, and road repairs. All of this positively impacts tax dollars, and all of this reduces emissions and improves health.”

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY One way UNMC/Nebraska Medicine intend to achieve the goals set out in the Sustainability Master Plan is by embracing the potential of new technologies. “The solar panels are a key part of our investment in sustainability 10 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

infrastructure,” says Ms. Stewart. “We are also doing LED retrofits all across campus.

They are the standard for any new or remodeled space, but we are also going back into our buildings and parking garages to install the new lighting. We are replacing booms in operating rooms with LED lights as well, which is a significant saving as the lighting traditionally used in ORs is very bright, using a lot of energy. That lighting also traditionally gives off a lot of heat, which in turn requires operating rooms to be held at a cooler temperature than is normally necessary, so as not to cause nurses and surgeons to sweat. By swapping out those

lights, not only do we get the direct energy savings, but we can also warm up the operating rooms, saving additional energy – and also improving patient outcomes, as, for most procedures, having the room a couple of degrees warmer is beneficial.”

“We also have a standard building automation system that allows us to control things remotely,” says Ms. Stewart. “We can set parameters and timeframes, and we are working on building occupancy and daylight harvesting. Our central utility plant produces steam and chilled water to help with heating and cooling. We put in a new chiller around 18 months ago that uses a new, more envi-

ronmentally friendly refrigerant. While most refrigerants have a global warming potential (GWP) of 1300, the GWP of the refrigerant in this new chiller is 1. When it was first installed in February 2018, we were one of only 12 in the world to have that.”

“We installed a flue gas economizer, which helps to pull heat out of what is normally being exhausted,” exhausted,” says Ms. Stewart. “That, along with heat recovery chillers in a few buildings, re-uses heat that would normally be wasted. For example, in our research towers we use water-cooled ultra-low freezers, for which we’re pulling the heat out of the compressor with a water system. Then when it comes back to our main utility floor, we can repurpose that heat. So we’re saving energy in the freezer rooms by reducing the amount of heat released into the conditioned workspace, but then we are also repurposing that heat which would otherwise have been wasted.”

COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS To ensure the Sustainability Master Plan translates to reality, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine have invested heavily in engagement.

“Through Verdis, we have created a sustainability engagement survey that provides us with a score to reflect where engagement is across campus,” says Ms. Stewart. “We want that level of engagement to be at 85 out of a possible 100, which is very high for an engagement score. But we know with such ambitious goals, we are going to need the students, faculty, and other colleagues on campus engaged in order to meet them. We can’t meet these goals just by writing policies; we need people to be active participants.”

“A lot of our initiatives on campus have our ‘LiveGreen’ branding, and we have created LiveGreen Ambassadors,” says Ms. Stewart. “This is a voluntary position, where

anybody on campus who is interested can sign up. We provide them with information and they can then speak to their direct department or group of colleagues, model behavior, answer questions, or serve as a conduit between other people and the Office of Sustainability. They are boots-onthe-ground, decentralized, and hierarchy-free. We have found the ambassadors to be very helpful moving things forward and appreciate having that personal connection in a department, whether it’s an administrative assistant, a nurse, a faculty member, or a physician. We recently did a campaign about finding ways for people to save water and our LiveGreen Ambassadors helped us collect ideas from all over campus.”

LOCAL INVESTMENTS, GLOBAL GOALS As UNMC moves into a new decade, the Sustainability Master Plan will remain the main blueprint for the campus’s strategic direction. “Right now, from a waste perspective, we’re looking into avenues for soft plastic,” says Ms. Stewart. “We’re never going to do anything to jeopardize patient care, which

means using a handful of single-use devices that are individually wrapped in sterile plastic packaging. So we’re working to find things to do with that unavoidable soft plastic. We’re also working on setting up composting, partnering with food service vendor Sodexo who already has switched to compostable clamshells for takeout meals and hard plates for dine-in customers. We are still working hard on energy efficiency, incorporating renewables and working with our public utilities. We’ve done some native planting/ landscaping in order to irrigate less, and we’re also working on some infrastructure upgrades related to water so we can have more efficient fixtures and consume less. We just got a new dishwasher in our largest café that reuses steam and is considerably more efficient than the old one.”

“We’re working hard to continue our TravelSmart goals with active transportation and are doing different things to market it to people,” says Ms. Stewart. “We’ve been working with people at Metro, the Transit Authority that runs the city bus line. They have made some route adjustments which we believe will help some people coming to our campus. They also are getting ready to launch the Omaha Bus Rapid Transit (ORBT) system in 2020, and UNMC will have a station when that launches. Our goals are in line with global goals in terms of recognizing the urgency of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, reducing pollution, and global water issues. We believe it is important to push forward and to not coast, and by truly leading, we can help solve some major issues on our planet.” c Read more about Verdis and the TravelSmart programme in an SBM Partner Update exclusively online.

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REPORT: MAJID AL FUTTAIM

MEASURABLE, DOABLE, SUSTAINABLE AN SBM REPORT BY IBRAHIM AL-ZU’BI, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER AT MAJID AL FUTTAIM - HOLDING

Globally, responsible businesses are taking the lead in embedding sustainability in their operations. It is now time to scale this initiative and integrate measurability as a key element in business sustainability blueprints.

The landmark report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018 was a powerful clarion call for climate action. Underscoring the unprecedented and immediate need for collective effort to limit global warming, the report emphasizes the role of businesses as an important factor. The quantifiability of the 1.5-degree-Celsius goal and the measur12 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

able steps to achieve it as outlined in the report have created a global sustainability mission that combines social, environmental, and economic dimensions. To save the world, we must strive to move the needle across all three targets.

For a business, a measurable sustainability target is a powerful starting point.

The concept of measurability is embed-

ded in business thinking, in the form of audits and quarterly and annual reports.

Metric-based decision-making enables corporates to vigilantly course-correct towards desirable outcomes. Similarly, measurability must be the lens through which businesses engage, deliberate courses of action, and ultimately achieve sustainability goals.

PRE-ASSESSMENT AND BENCHMARKING The starting point of measurability is understanding the current sustainability status quo and benchmarking the intended goals.

A pre-assessment entails analysis of the current environmental, social and economic impact and then contextualizing it with the purpose and overall strategy of the business. The most common performance metric is the mitigation of CO2 emissions.

With quantification of larger, long-term impact on society, a business can proceed to the next level – making informed decisions to create a more sustainable ecosystem. o Considering the immensity of the 1.5 C goal (e.g. reducing greenhouse emissions to net-zero by mid-century), challenging but realistic targets need to be set for measuring performance. These can be distilled down to specific key performance indicators for employees, operations, and the enterprise at large.

TRACK OF PROGRESS AND PROOF OF IMPACT Once underway, sustainability needs to be tracked vigilantly so that material issues that arise are addressed swiftly. The shortand medium-term milestones also need to be mapped out; these can be examined for delays or inefficiencies. At the same time, an understanding of what is working well for one department can be replicated in others.

Measurability drives action in an organization. After all, what gets measured properly gets managed properly and eventually gets done properly. Measurable metrics directly impact a business’s current performance and set the tone for the future as well. Consistent measuring of progress provides clarity on the level of performance or the lack of it. Moreover, tracking progress and communicating milestones within and outside the organization creates a culture of accountability and transparency.

Having a metric also offers two benefits. If underperforming, a company can realign its resources by immediately assessing if there is a lag at any point between intention and outcome. On the other hand, targets achieved ahead of schedule must be made even more ambitious. After all, environmental responsibility is not a one-time campaign to be executed and then forgotten; it is a new transformative agenda for businesses across the globe.

Charting a new course is also good for the bottom line. Business sustainability always goes hand-in-hand with long-term profitability and provides a clear incentive to strive to be greener and more sustainable. Customers want products that have a low carbon footprint; employees look up to businesses that can deliver social good on a substantial scale. Climate Action is also part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving them can unlock an estimated $12 trillion in potential growth and generate or retain millions of jobs.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Responsible business must also define how operations are powered, raw material is sourced, new products are created, and supply chains are made resilient against climate change. A measurable sustainability-oriented approach is, therefore, at the core of business growth and resilience. Responsible businesses around the world have already started on this path to sustainability.

An example is the Ford Motor Company’s measurable sustainability goals. Ford plans to use 100 percent renewable energy for all manufacturing plants by 2035, and achieve zero air emissions from its facilities. With these measurable goals, it is streamlining its portfolio, improving fuel efficiency, and lowering emissions, energy use, and water consumption. To increase transparency about the resiliency of its climate change strategy, Ford recently published a Climate Change Scenario Report.

Another example is Majid Al Futtaim, which launched its Net Positive strategy in April 2017 with a vision to significantly reduce the company’s water consumption and carbon emissions to the extent that it puts more back into the environment than it takes out. The aim is to create a positive corporate footprint by 2040. Measurability is an integral aspect of this strategy. The company has adopted internationally-accepted best practices to measure and report its sustainability activities. It benchmarks performance with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative Standards. To begin with, Majid Al Futtaim measured its carbon and water impact and then implemented targeted interventions across its assets to reduce its carbon and water footprint. These interventions ranged from small-scale energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy installations to on-site rainwater harvesting and graywater recycling.

Despite the climate and business benefits of such plans, greening the business strategy does not get the attention that it deserves. According to a 2018 PwC report, only 27 per cent of 700 global companies include the Sustainable Development Goals into their business strategy. The corporate world is an integral stakeholder in the journey towards a sustainable future. It is incumbent upon all of us to not only scale up our efforts but also embed measurability in every step of the way. The time window to curb global warming is slowly shutting.

We do not have an option to be oblivious.

The time to act is now or never. c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: BERKAN CONSTRUCTION

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY

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FOR BETTER

CONSTRUCTION Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Adam McDermott, Director at Berkan Construction Services, about residential projects, sustainable solutions, and the capability of technology to improve communication in the construction industry.

Sixteen years ago, a British engineer named Adam McDermott moved to the Caribbean to work on the construction of the Hilton Hotel in Barbados. While there, he met a fellow Construction ex-pat, Swedish national Tomas Niklasson. “We met whilst working on the Hilton; when that contract was completed, we both moved onto contracts in other parts of the world, but we always kept in touch,” says Mr. McDermott, Director at Berkan Construction Services.

“However in 2014, we both returned to Barbados, which created the perfect opportunity for us to set up our own construction company and combine our expertise.”

Today, Berkan Construction Services is a thriving Barbadian construction business with an experienced team of local employees, specializing in general contracting, construction management, project management, and customized furniture, fixtures, and fittings.

“Currently, we have been concentrating on

the property market – particularly the luxury residential market,” explains Mr. McDermott.

“Although Tomas and I also have experience in medical builds, warehousing, commercial, retail, bars, restaurants, as well as some green energy projects.“ He continued: “We truly believe in getting it right first time. So we focus on getting the details right, and ensure that we translate the architect’s drawings into reality. In the high end property market you aren’t just building homes, you’re build-

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INTERVIEW: BERKAN CONSTRUCTION

“WE’VE REALLY TRIED TO GET OUR LOCAL GUYS TO IMPROVE ON THEIR FINISHES AND TO GIVE US EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT. THEY NOW KNOW OUR STANDARDS AND WE’VE ACHIEVED SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS WITH THEM.”

ing dreams, and it’s important to remember that. We work closely with the clients and their teams, ensuring they are happy at every stage. The finishes are also incredibly important, as it is what the client will see and touch every day. We’ve really worked with our local teams to improve on their finishing standards, in order to give us exactly what we need. They now know our specifications and I think it’s what sets us apart from our competitors.”

In the last five and a half years Berkan has built 15 new-build projects, which is approximately 25 houses, along with two large refurb projects, one of which was around eight thousand square feet. “Our current project is a four-bedroom house with a two-bedroom cottage in the Royal Westmoreland luxury resort,” says Mr. McDermott.

“It has a large infinity edge swimming pool

and it’s a little different from what we usually do, as it has a lot of contemporary finishes.

We’ve also have three other upcoming projects which we are due to start soon. Most of our work comes from referrals of previous clients. Which I think says a lot about how happy our clients are with the standard of work, but also how we work with them.”

on the size and the shape of the house, you can be limited to how much you can actually put on the roof, and sometimes we’ve had to add an extra electrical or gas heating systems as a backup.

“We have also recently started using composite roofing shingles made from recycled plastics, as opposed to timber roofing

SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS Through these projects, Berkan Construction Services are keen to embrace sustainable technologies and materials.

“All of the projects in Barbados have used solar hot water heating systems,” says Mr. McDermott. “How much hot water the tanks and the panels need obviously depends on the size of the property, which can lead to some challenges, as they are not always the most aesthetically pleasing. Depending SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: BERKAN CONSTRUCTION

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shingles,” says Mr. McDermott. “We are one of the first certified installers on the island, and we try and push that kind of product where we can. The longevity of these materials is better as it doesn’t rot or deteriorate, and you get a longer lifespan out of it. From a community support perspective we are conscious of one man’s waste is another man’s treasure, so when we go into a building and tear down ceilings and walls, we donate any good lumber to charities and schools so they can raise money or use them for their projects.”

18 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY Key to Berkan’s success is their embrace of technologies which facilitate more effective communication – within the company, their suppliers, and with clients. “We employ a surveying program, which means everything can be measured accurately and colour coded, so we can see exactly what we’ve measured when we price our projects,” says Mr. McDermott. “Once we have priced a project, we can then quickly go to sub-contractors and make agreements with them, and we can negotiate that

cost. The subcontractor can also receive a print-out of all that and get a fair representation of what they are actually pricing. They can check the measurements on site and feel confident that they can move forward with us a lot quicker.”

“This software helps projects to move as smoothly as they possibly can,” says Mr. McDermott. “Everyone has confidence that we’re all aiming for the same thing and moving toward the same goals. Anything we’re not too sure of we can always go back and double-check, which is much

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INTERVIEW: BERKAN CONSTRUCTION

“THIS IS THE WAY THE MODERN WORLD IS GOING TO BE, AND WE NEED TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT GETTING INVOLVED.”

20 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

easier than trying to do things long-hand. It allows us to overlay drawings and re-measure, which then allows us to account for change orders and to make sure everything is being tracked. That has really improved our business as a service and makes sure that we are not missing anything on our end, and equally that our clients are all getting fair valuations as well.”

REMOTE PROJECT MANAGEMENT Berkan also uses a remote project management system, which has both desktop and mobile capability. “It has automatic time-keeping with geo-location and allows us to schedule all our team’s daily diaries,” explains Mr. McDermott. “Everybody knows what each project manager is doing. We can schedule work, complete daily site diaries, record weather, and handle in real time all the things that you used to have to sit down and try to remember at the end of the day. It keeps us connected and in contact with each other, and, if there is a problem, pictures can be shared immediately. They can also be edited, enabling problematic areas to be highlighted in the field or on the go. It’s allows us to resolve problems a lot quicker.”

“Our next step is to add the service onto our website and create a client’s portal with a photo album of progress. This will enable them to be able to check in from anywhere in the world and see their project growing as we are building them,” says Mr. McDermott.

“A lot of our clients are overseas, so if they are getting that feedback, they can make sure that things are going the way that they want them to go and request any changes that need to be made. Hopefully we can then make those changes before we get further down the line, which minimizes the work we have to do overall. We believe whole heartedly in using technology that helps us and our clients to have a better,

easier and more convenient experience - a much more modern take on the traditional builder/client relationship.”

CARE AND ATTENTION For Mr. McDermott, it all comes back to effective, clear communication – something which is made easier with two directors. “The plan has always been that there is always one of us on the job,” says Mr. McDermott.

“We can always make sure that one of us is visiting a job and resolving any problems and sitting down with the clients or the architects - or whoever it may be. So that was one of the reasons that we decided we could offer something extra. Because there’s two of us, we can make sure that we are hands-on with every project and give the clients the care and the attention that they deserve.”

“We’ve managed to complete a lot of luxury residential projects in the last five years, so we’re quite happy to continue with that, but would now like to branch into the commercial sector as well,” says Mr. McDermott. “There’s a lot of optimism in Barbados at the moment. We’re just coming out of a very difficult few years, but we are sensing more activity and interest in a wider range of developments. We’re still a young company and our tender list is growing. Every couple of months we’re being invited to more and more tenders. We believe our signature is integrity, fairness, and quality and we intend to keep developing, adapting, and building confidence from the ground up.” c All Berkan Construction images are provided by Royal Westmoreland.

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INTERVIEW: NEW ERA HOMES 2000

CREATING COMMUNITIES Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Carol Mendez, Financial Controller at New Era Homes 2000 Limited, about affordable, high-quality housing, new building techniques, and sustainable features and materials.

New Era Homes 2000 is a Jamaican real estate developer with a difference, specializing in affordable, high-quality homes for the low- and middle-income markets. “We were started out of two other companies,” explains Carol Mendez, Financial Controller at New Era Homes 2000. “In the 1990s, when the directors of these two companies first came to Jamaica, they formed a company with the idea of bringing a different type of 22 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

home to the housing market. At the time in Jamaica, outside of the higher-income housing, it was all prefabricated housing for the middle- and lower-income categories. They wanted to create something different.”

After this initial partnership ended, New Era Homes 2000 was formed by Leo Taddeo and Benedetto Persichilli. “They carried forward the spirit of wanting to build high-quality housing for low- and

middle-income Jamaicans,” says Ms. Mendez. “We became a household name overnight. The first housing development under New Era Homes 2000 was Cedar Manor, where we built 139 two-bedroom units. Since then we’ve developed another five communities, comprising primarily of similar two- and three-bedroom units for the low- and middle-income bracket.”

UNIQUE PROPERTIES “New Era Homes 2000 became a household name for the kind of housing that we brought to the market,” says Ms. Mendez.

“Rather than just doing the standard flat-top or slab roof, we introduced Georgian-style houses with a peaked roof. Instead of the prefabricated slabs, we create poured-concrete houses that is prepared in the same way as a “block and steel” wall. We became the first developers to bring solar water heaters in as a standard in houses, which wasn’t common in this market. We chose to develop a different kind of housing, and the reaction from the market speaks for itself.”

In addition to solar water heating, New Era Homes 2000’s properties feature energy-saving bulbs, energy-saving plumbing, fireproof concrete wall systems, and high ceilings to keep rooms cool, reducing the need for air conditioning. As a result of this, New Era Homes 2000 were given were given the Econo Plus Award for Energy Conservation.

“We have a cadre of professionals that work with us to make our developments come to life from inception to completion,” says Ms. Mendez. “Most of the main persons doing the field work are not employees but contractors that we’ve dealt with over the years.

We have a register of structural engineers who work with us to get plans together.”

Today, with over 3,500 homes completed, New Era Homes 2000’s most recently completed development is the Caymanas Country Club Estate, a 104-acre property in St. Catherine. “The planning process started about 2010, while we were seeking to acquire appropriate lands,” says Ms. Mendez. “We were successful in acquiring a portion of land in the Caymanas Bay area of St. Catherine to do our development as part of a larger plan for the area.

FAMILY-ORIENTED Ground was broken in early 2011 for the Caymanas Estate project. “Our view was to develop this whole country club estate,” says Ms. Mendez. “It sounds very high-level but it was geared towards the same low- and middle-income market that we have been doing all these years. Once we started building, we were able to start selling the homes.

The minute an ad went out, our offices were flooded with calls and persons. Ultimately, we developed over 680 units across six sectors, constructed in two phases. It takes about to nine to twelve months to finish each sector. A project, depending on how

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INTERVIEW: NEW ERA HOMES 2000

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many units it has, will extend between three to four years, or longer if there are more units. Caymanas Estates took about five years to complete.”

“The whole development has a very strong focus on family-oriented housing, including two-and three-bedroom units with additional communal facilities,” says Ms. Mendez. “Each sector contains a mini-park where the whole family can sit and kids can play. The community area is complete with a pool, football field, tennis court, and basketball court. You don’t have to go out of the community to bring the whole community together. On weekends, the families can get together and go play football or basketball, swim or just relax in the gazebo. We develop not just for people to live but to create a whole community.”

RESILIENT METHODS AND MATERIALS Rather than prefabricated homes, New Era Homes 2000 use fly forms, also known as table forms, to make the construction process more efficient. “First of all, a mold of the house is made out of wood, pinned together with taper ties,” explains Ms. Mendez. “We then put layers of steel in the mold, and then we pour in concrete. When the concrete sets, you can pull the wood apart again. The houses are made at the minimum of 3500 PSI, and they can withstand everything. We use hurricane straps on our steel trusses, and

24 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

we use fibre cement sheets for the roofing, which means you don’t have a problem with termites coming and eating out your roof.

The steel trusses are more hurricane-resistant than regular lumber trusses.”

“We bring materials in from China, USA, Italy, and Canada, always making sure only the best quality is being used,” says Ms. Mendez. “We offer all new homeowners a six-month warranty, meaning we will return to fix any structural problems with the house in that time. The first six months of a house are the most uncertain because that’s when the building is settling in. However, we are confident in what we build.”

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS New Era Homes 2000’s latest development is a departure for the company. “Our newest project is called the Marina Villas, which is in the same area as the 32-condo apartment complex called the Marina Village,” says Ms. Mendez. “This is a beachfront community including 98 beachfront villas. For nineteen years, we have targeted middle income houses, but now we’re just dipping into the higher income area. However, these will continue the same high-quality construction that Jamaica has come to expect from the New Era Homes name.”

Moving forward, New Era Homes 2000 intends to keep doing what they do best.

“The fine details of a sale agreement for land in the St. Catherine area are now being inked,” says Ms. Mendez. “We don’t know how many units we’ll end up with, but we are finalizing the agreement for about 97 acres of land. We hope to be able to carry on our tradition of building high-quality houses at affordable prices. We’re going to continue maintaining our reputation for quality and affordability, and provide great housing for many more Jamaicans in the years to come.” c

“THE WHOLE THING HAS A VERY STRONG FOCUS ON FAMILY-ORIENTED HOUSING, INCLUDING TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS WITH ADDITIONAL COMMUNAL FACILITIES.”

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INTERVIEW: BAHAMASAIR

CONNECTING THE BAHAMAS

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Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Tracy Cooper, Managing Director at Bahamasair, about efficient aircraft, the impact of improved IT, and driving Bahamian growth.

Bahamasair is the national airline of the Bahamas. Founded in 1973 by the Bahamian government, when they acquired the routes of Flamingo Airlines and Out Island Airways, Bahamasair has a mandate to provide a reliable, safe means of connecting the islands of the Bahamas, while also reducing the country’s dependence on foreign carriers to serve the all-important tourist industry.

When Sustainable Business Magazine last spoke to Bahamasair, the airline was in the process of a series of efficiency investments, improving and upgrading facilities, replacing aircraft, and upgrading hangers.

(See Sustainable Business Magazine issue 04/17 for the full feature.) Today, Bahamasair continue to improve and streamline their operations in order to provide a more efficient and customer-oriented service.

“Since we last spoke, we have completed our hangar project,” says Tracy Cooper, Managing Director at Bahamasair. “Before we carried out that work, the hangar had old technology and wiring. We removed all of that and replaced it with the latest wiring and lighting, which has provided greater illumination and efficiency. By making these changes, we have been able to see a heavy reduction in costs. We do these upgrades in and around the company on a continuing basis, and the upgrading of facilities at the airport in general is an ongoing process.”

fully completed the transition to ATRs, of which we now have five, with three 42s and two 72s,” says Mr. Cooper. “We no longer fly the Dash Eight aircraft at all. We also stopped flying the Boeing 737-200 back in 2012. What we have started to do is make greater use of the 737-700 aircraft, which is an upgrade that provides much greater efficiency and better emissions control. We have one -700, which we began operating in March, and we are looking to see how we can rely on it going forward as the aircraft of our future. The -700 provides around 15% greater efficiency than the Classics, including less fuel burned by the engines as well as a reduction in emissions. The Classics are now getting on for about twenty years old, so the -700 also provide a younger feel for our pilots.”

“Most of the improvements between models of aircraft are related to the engine, though several of our aircraft also have a modified wing which also improves the overall efficiency a great deal,” explains Mr. Cooper. “The newer aircraft are also larger, so overall we are operating more seats for less cost. We are also keeping up with the

IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES Last time Sustainable Business Magazine spoke to Bahamasair, they were in the midst of a major fleet upgrade. “We have now SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: BAHAMASAIR

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industry standards for emissions, and ensuring recording meets international regulatory standards for the amount of emissions we generate, both as a country and as an airline. This is strictly related to the emissions from the engines of our planes, as The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires both states and airlines to report CO2 emissions. So we are part of that program and are keeping up with recording our data on emissions, flying time, and so on.

Of course, the Bahamas is not a big country for commercial airlines, but nevertheless we are doing our part and making sure that the regulators are familiar and happy with our operations, environmentally speaking.”

PASSENGER SATISFACTION Through investments in improved technology, Bahamasair are also implementing changes to target improved customer comfort and satisfaction. “Passenger service systems (PSSs), along with all the interacting modules that go along with that core product, are something we prioritize, and this remains a key ongoing project for us,” says Mr. Cooper.

“We expect to see at least a two to three percent improvement in operations thanks to 28 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

making adjustments through the PSS. We are continuing at all times to look at our operations and make these small improvements, as we want to get optimum efficiency out of our operations. We can be more reliant now on computerized systems and applications to carry out this work, rather than manual processes. Right now, these systems are the focus of the airline, and we are looking at how we can provide better efficiency through better applications and electronic solutions.”

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION Bahamasair keeps up to date with internal, national, and international regulations by carrying out rigorous inspections and maintenance, as well as ensuring their workforce is highly trained. “There is a requirement for each airline, and in particular international airlines, to use the International Aviation Transportation Association (IATA) guidelines,” explains Mr. Cooper. “There is also an international inspection that happens every two years that all airlines all around the world have to undertake. This is to ensure that you as an airline continue to operate to expected international standards. We go through that

inspection, we go through the inspections of the United States, and naturally we are inspected locally in the Bahamas. What this means really is that we have a multiplicity of inspections that are ongoing at any given time related to the safety of our aircraft and our operations.”

“We also of course have internal inspections such as scheduled maintenance,

“WE ARE CONTINUING AT ALL TIMES TO LOOK AT OUR OPERATIONS AND MAKE THESE SMALL IMPROVEMENTS”

scheduled quality assurance and safety oversights,” says Mr. Cooper. “Any other companies, carriers, or airlines we are partnering with also have their own processes and regulations, which we must abide by too. We are rigorously checked at different times by several different bodies. We carry out technical training as required by our regulatory agencies, as well as training to enhance the quality of service. This includes BahamaHost and in-house training on how to effectively deal with passengers and so on. This kind of training is happening constantly, meaning there is a continuous rotation of training for the staff, with occasional tweaks depending on who the members of staff are and when they are available – for example, the training is slightly different for pilots, technicians, flight attendants, front line staff, and so on.

There are also other training programs that happen annually.”

to develop alongside improvements in technology, like better communication through smart devices and so on. As far as improved efficiency and operations, we are looking at our organization as a whole, examining the alignment of aircraft and the routes that we fly. Bahamasair is a government airline, and we will continue to look at the requirements and maintain ourselves as is fitting for the needs of both the people and the government.”

“The Bahamas is a country made up of over seven hundred islands and quays, and the importance of having a good transportation system here has always been a focal point for us,” says Mr. Cooper. “This is vital

for any progressive improvements, particularly for all major islands with a substantial population, and Bahamasair continue to be the primary airline catering for people’s transportation needs throughout the country.

The Bahamas will continue to grow, thanks to continued tourism. In 2018, we saw an eighteen percent improvement year-over-year in air-arrival tourism. Bahamasair is also a big part of that, transporting visitors from overseas into the country. The average last year for us was just under one million passengers and we continue to grow and streamline our services. By growing the service we provide, we can best continue to serve the Bahamas in this manner.” c

GROWING TOGETHER “We are anticipating the development of technology, electronic platforms, and so on,” says Mr. Cooper. “So naturally the company today and how it operates and interacts with passengers will continue SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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FEATURED REPORT: TSTT

NEW TECH FRONTIERS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Sustainable Business Magazine reports on Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), as the company launches the country’s first 5G wireless network and a major new cloud-based solution, while continuing to invest in technology literacy in local young people.

Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) is the only ‘quintuple-play’ telecommunications provider in Trinidad and Tobago, providing mobile, fixed-line, broadband, pay TV, security, and other services to the residential and commercial markets. Last time TSTT were featured in Sustainable Business Magazine, in 2017, the company had recently completed a new five-year strategic plan, intend30 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ed to transform them from a traditional telecom into an innovative, multi-faceted broadband and communications services provider. (See Sustainable Business Magazine issue 4/17 for the full feature.)

At the time, TSTT had just become the first provider in Trinidad to provide mobile LTE with 4G technology, had recently unified their commercial brands under the single ‘bmobile’ brand, and

had just completed work on a cloud solutions service. We checked in with TSTT again, to see what changes have taken place in the two years since.

PIONEERING WIRELESS SERVICES TSTT became the first company to bring a 5G through Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network to Trinidad and Tobago, with a launch on December 4th at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain. In a partnership with Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications company which recently developed the relevant technology, TSTT will be able to use the infrastructure of their pre-existing 4G network to roll out the new 5G network.

FWA is a method of providing a reliable internet connection to homes using 5G mobile technology in place of fixed lines.

Though currently fiber broadband performs at a much higher level than FWA, FWA is easier to deploy, as it doesn’t require any

major engineering work to install broadband, and with 5G speeds, the level of service will be equivalent to fiber. 5G FWA is expected to have a particularly large impact in rural areas, where the cost of setting up physical fiber lines is prohibitive.

In deploying 5G through FWA, TSTT intend to dramatically improve download speeds, improve the number of connections, and reduce latency. In an interview with local Trinidad newspaper the Daily Express, TSTT’s CEO Dr. Ronald Walcott also made it clear that, on the condition that a spectrum is agreed upon with the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the company will be able to start preparing for mobile 5G as well. TSTT anticipates the availability of 5G through wireless networks having wide-ranging impacts on everything from physical and online shopping, social media, and entertainment.

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FEATURED REPORT: TSTT TSTT, the software is licensed to other companies, keeping Trinidad and Tobago dollars in the country and bringing in valuable foreign exchange. According to a press release

by TSTT, e-tender now has 3,000 registered users across 129 different countries.

SIMPLIFYING BUSINESS After a highly positive response from customers on their cloud-based solutions, TSTT recently partnered with Santa Clara, California-based tech provider Avaya to deliver a new cloud solution for small- to medium-sized businesses. TSTT’s mobile brand, bmobile, intends to offer Avaya’s unified communications platform to customers through the Avaya IX Workplace application, available on Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. The platform combines text, video, and phone calls, and allows files to be shared and teleconferences to be hosted and joined, allowing users to work and collaborate anywhere.

TSTT’s own servers will host the Avaya

product, which means most of the traffic will be handled locally.

Another significant success for TSTT has been their e-tender tool, an automated online procurement and project management platform developed in-house and now used across the world. e-tender was introduced in 2012 at bmobile, and immediately resulted in cost savings for both bmobile and bidders, simplifying the bidding process and allowing for real-time updates and greater transparency. Quickly, bmobile found the number of companies – including international companies – participating in the bidding process increased by as much as 40%.

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DRIVING TECH LITERACY In another partnership with Chinese technology company Huawei, TSTT are developing a state-of-the-art innovation lab at the University of the West Indies (UWI), which will be known as the bmobile-UWI Innovation Lab powered by Huawei. The lab will consist of 1600 square feet of space with the latest equipment, individual work spaces, and a ‘smart classroom’. The lab is being created in line with the government’s National ICT Plan, and will facilitate research and experimentation with new technologies. bmobile also supports various events intended to encourage business and technology literacy in Trinidad’s young people.

The recent Children’s Business Fair, produced in collaboration with KidSpot.TnT, brought together 37 children between the ages 5 and 18 to attend a workshop and design a marketing strategy to support the launch of their own start-up businesses. In a press re-

lease, TSTT Manager of Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Anjanie Ramesar-Soom was quoted as saying: “At bmobile, we believe that entrepreneurial skills are not merely important, but rather are vital in the 21st century. We are committed to providing opportunities that would allow children to be exposed to these skills.”

Bmobile also partnered with Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT) to host the bmobile TecYOUth Conference in November, where young tech entrepreneurs from local schools were invited to attend a presentation by Oliver Sabga, CEO of Term Finance Holdings and the winner of the bmobile Business Technology Award 2019, and other speakers from TSTT and the D’Junction app. TSTT has also partnered with iGovTT on a recent Hackathon, and Cariri to run a coding workshop.

Darryl Duke, TSTT’s Senior Manager for Enterprise Operations, was quoted by local newspaper Newsday as saying: “bmobile has been a long-standing advocate for tech-driven entrepreneurship and youth development. We’ve contributed significantly to building a robust ecosystem and there is no plausible reason why we can’t have our very own Silicon Valley here in TT.” c

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

TRAVEL TO

ZAMBIA

FO R E X P E R I E N C E S T H AT WILL LAST A LIFETIME Welcome to this special Zambia Travel Guide, a partnership between the Zambia Tourism Agency and Sustainable Business Magazine.

The Zambia Tourism Agency is a statutory body under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, with a mandate to market Zambia as a tourism and travel destination of choice, as well as to regulate the tourism industry.

Zambia is endowed with a rich tourism resource, from our beautiful environment to our diverse culture. We are home to one of the natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We also have 73 different language dialects, and over 50 different traditional ceremonies across the country. We’re also proud to have a continuous 54-year record of peace since independence.

Recently, the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization declared our South Luangwa National Park to be the world’s first ‘Sustainable Wildlife Park’. For us, this sets a precedent to embrace issues of sustainable tourism to benefit local communities. Our lodges co-exist with nature, and they are required to leave everything in its natural habit. They also employ local community members, and they source farm produce and sell locally-made

34 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

arts and crafts. There are a number of activities available at various lodges which allow tourists to participate in the communities.

In 2018, under a new statutory instrument, the regulation of tourism was assigned to the Zambia Tourism Agency, empowering us to license all enterprises dealing in tourism, as well as to start grading all tourism facilities. By licensing and grading tourism-related businesses, we’re able to give tourists a sense of security. By the end of this month, we will have graded 20 hotels, offering quality-assured destinations for tourists.

At the moment, we’re in the process of reintroducing our national carrier, Zambian Airways. This development will make Zambia more accessible. We’re also opening Zambia up as a meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) destination. Lastly, we’re trying to promote more domestic tourism, by encouraging local rates in the off-peak season, to allow local Zambians to visit places like the Victoria Falls and stay in our lodges.

In 2018, we saw more than a million tourist arrivals, and by 2021, we’re aiming to have over 5 million tourists visiting Zambia.

We’re excited to be collaborating on this Zambia Travel Guide with Sustainable Business Magazine, and we hope to welcome many new visitors in 2020.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

WHERE TO START

ZAMBIA KEY FACTS

YOUR ADVENTURE Capital:

Lusaka

Population:

17.86 million

Language(s):

English, Nyanja, Tonga, Bemba, Luvale, Kaonde and Lozi

Currency:

Zambian kwacha - approx. ZMW15.22 to US$1

Time zone:

Central Africa Time

Dialling code: +260 Major resort areas: Livingstone, Lusaka,

Central Zambia,

Western Zambia,

Eastern Zambia Tourist season:

May - August

Annual visitors: 931,782 Annual tourism earnings:

ZMK 4,408 million

Avg. temperature: 81-86 °F (day),

68-73 °F (night) Highest point:

Mafinga Central (7,674 ft)

KEY ATTRACTIONS Kasanka National Park

Market Place

Bike Tour

Safari

Bird Watching

Kuomboka Ceremony

History

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Viewing Point

Rafting

Snorkeling

Waterfalls

36 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

KEY REGIONS Livingstone Lusaka & Central Zambia Western Zambia Eastern Zambia

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

GO WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER With rapids ranging from Grade 3 to 5, the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the world, with half-, full-, and multi-day trips available. And if “extremely difficult, long, and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas” wasn’t enough, you may even see a crocodile or two on your journey. Other adrenaline-fuelled activities available in the area include bungee jumping and the ‘gorge swing’ over the Victoria Falls.

WHAT TO DO IN...

LIVINGSTONE VISIT THE VICTORIA FALLS Just 11km from Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunya – ‘the smoke that thunders’ – is an African icon. Adventurous travellers have a variety of vantage points from which to marvel at the raw power and sheer drop of the world’s largest waterfall, perhaps the most striking of which is the Devil’s Pool, a naturally-formed ‘ultimate infinity pool’ on the very edge of the Falls. .

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SEE THE RHINOS IN MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK A herd of 10 endangered white rhinos are the highlight of this small park. Poached to extinction elsewhere in Zambia, you’ll need a guide to approach these extraordinary animals, which are under roundthe-clock observation by anti-poaching rangers. Of course, there’s plenty of other wildlife too, including antelopes, giraffes, zebra, warthog, and elephants. The park is also the home of the small but historically significant Old Drift cemetery, which marks the graves of the early European settlers, who died of illness prior to the founding of Livingstone.

ALSO IN LIVINGSTONE: • See David Livingstone’s journals in the Livingstone Museum.

• Take a walking tour of Livingstone and admire the colonial architecture.

• Find a souvenir at Mukuni Park Curio Market.

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WE ARE SPECIALIST IN TAILOR-MADE AND PRIVATE SAFARIS TRIPS TO ZAMBIA. PROUDLY ASSISTING OUR GUESTS TO DESIGN CUSTOMS MADE SAFARIS THROUGH OUR BIG SAFARIS OPERATORS. ZAMBIA, A COUNTRY WORTH EXPLORING Zambia is a landlocked country in south-central Africa with a population of about 14.7 million people and with 16 major cultural groupings, more than 72 different dialects. Zambia is recognized as one of the most secure and friendliest countries in Africa combined with its perfect and personalized safari experience, make it a unique and memorable holiday for vacationists.

One of the famous the 7 Natural Wonders of the World is found in Zambia, the Victoria Falls, and some of Southern Africa’s most beautiful national parks. Which includes include North and South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue as well as some lesser-known gems such as Bangweulu wetlands, Liuwa Plains, and Kasanka National parks.

The parks give a wide range of different adventure different birds, mammals, plants and reptiles.

SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDES: WALKING SAFARIS Zambia is the home of walking safaris, with Norman Car

having started these over 50 years ago for guests to get closer to the bush and feel, hear, touch as well as seeing it.

GAME DRIVES This includes night drives to discover many nocturnal animals whichis one of the best ways to experience the safari.

SPECIALISED PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARIS This includes both Professional and learner who are interest in taking amazing pictures of Wildlife and nature in general.

CULTURAL TOURISM Annual festivals, Cultural village, local school experiences, City Tours and Heritage sites.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES Sunrise and sunset boat cruises, Unique Zambezi Canoe safaris, Bungee Jump, Devil Pool, Helicopter Flight (Flight of an Angel).

MAGNIFICENT WATERFALLS Apart from the spectacular Victoria Falls, provide ‘cascade followers’ an adventure into the remote, undeveloped rural areas where a taste of village life can be experienced.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA LUSAKA SHOP FOR ARTISANAL ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS AT THE KABWATA CULTURAL VILLAGE With thatched-roof huts and a variety of local artisanal products for sale, the Kabwata Cultural Village offers a more lively approach to souvenir shopping than the Lusaka malls, with regular visits from local musicians playing traditional music. You can purchase handmade carvings, bowls, jewellery, fabrics, drums, and more at reasonable prices. Enjoy haggling with the cheerfully persistent Zambian salespeople, many of whom crafted their products themselves, and make sure you find your way to some of the huts towards the rear of the village, which have some different products and where prices are often slightly lower.

CANOE IN LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK Formerly the private game reserve of Zambia’s President, the park is less developed than others in Zambia due to the difficulty of access by road. For the waterborne traveller, however, this means the opportunity to see herds of elephants, buffalo, hippopotamus, zebra, and plenty of other wildlife grazing in the floodplain from the serenity of a canoe. A far cry from the intense rapids below the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River here is placid, and after a long day’s lazy exploration, your lodge will send a speedboat to pick you up. Alternately, you can arrange a multi-day trip with an expert river guide.

ALSO IN LUSAKA • Learn about Zambian history at the National Museum • Support efforts to save elephant calves from poachers at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery • Experience the sunsets at Siavonga on Lake Kariba

Comfort Quality.

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J.K. TINKALILE GUEST HOUSE

The perfect place to chill.

The cool and quiet place to stay nicely situated for you in Kabwe town, Lusaka, Zambia Call +260 97 7891270 Email. kennanjere@gmail.com

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

WESTERN ZAMBIA GO ON A NIGHT DRIVE IN KAFUE NATIONAL PARK One of the largest parks in the world, the massive Kafue National Park has a strategic growth plan in place which means there are fewer lodges and visitors than other Zambian national parks. It’s also the rare national park in Zambia which is accessible by public transport. Possibly the best place in Africa to see shy leopards in the wild (though they are still uncommon – you’ll need to drive at night), you’ll also find lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, elephants, herds of buffalo, antelope, and over 500 species of birds.

Fortunate travellers may see lions climbing the sycamore fig trees in the Busunga Plains to cool down. Because of the large area of the park, Kafue National Park rewards patient travellers with a quieter, more contemplative experience than some of the other parks – you can easily spend a day’s safari never seeing another human being.

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WATCH THE KUOMBOKA CEREMONY Among the best-known traditional ceremonies in Africa, the Kuomboka (‘get out of the water’) celebrates the movement of the Litunga, king of the Lozi people, from the dry-season palace at Lealui to the wet-season palace at Limulunga. The six-hour river journey takes place in late March or early April (though not every year). The king’s majestic nalikwanda, the royal barge, carries the king himself, an open fire, 100 Lozi paddlers in traditional dress, and a huge black replica of an elephant. A cacophony of drumming keeps the rowers in time, and over the course of the day the king changes from traditional dress into a British admiral’s uniform, gifted to the Lozi by Edward VII in 1902. The single hotel in Mongu is typically booked up months in advance, but with the newly-built roads, day trips from Lusaka are easy enough.

ALSO IN WESTERN ZAMBIA • Watch the wildebeest migration in Liuwa Plain National Park • Rent a bike and explore the trails around Kaoma • Go birdwatching in the Nchila Wildlife Reserve

the place to be...

DOLPHIN LODGE is a modren Lodge located in Mongu, the provincial capital of Western province.

dolphinlodges@gmail.com Mongu:+260 974185832 Lusaka +260 971669110

T HE C OMP L ET E

KAFUE E XP E RI E N C E

Come and experience the best of Busanga plains at Kasonso Busanga bush camp and continue on to one of our river based camps namely Kafue River Lodge or Lunga Kikuji. At Northern Kafue Safaris you get the complete package.

We are known for our excellent guides and hospitality.

For enquiries please contact res@kafueriverlodge.com

EASTERN ZAMBIA SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK Named the world’s first sustainable safari park by the UNWTO in 2017, the Luangwa Community and Conservation Fund (LCCF) add a small surcharge to every stay at a lodge to reinvest in community and environmental initiatives which support the conservation of the local ecosystem. The park has one of the most intense concentrations of animals in Africa, and a wide array of accommodation options spans everything from remote tents to eco-luxury.

EXPERIENCE ZAMBIAN VILLAGE LIFE The Kawaza Village Project, administered by Project Luangwa, is an award-winning tourism project started by Robin Pope Safaris.

Guests can spend a few hours, a day and night, or longer staying in Kawaza Village in a traditional mud-and-thatch hut. Visitors meet the Kunda villagers, and participate in their daily life, helping with chores like drawing water and grinding maize. You’ll meet the Senior Chief, visit the traditional healer and the clinic, and see the children studying at

the Kawaza Basic School, which is supported by the project. In the evenings, you’ll eat a traditional meal and then enjoy local music and dancing. It’s a remarkable opportunity to spend some time with real rural Zambian families, and due to the success of the project, proceeds are now shared with many local schools in the region.

WITNESS THE BAT MIGRATION AT KASANKA NATIONAL PARK The largest mammal migration in the world takes place between October and December every year, when 10 million fruit bats come in from the Congo basin to feed upon the ripening fruit in Kasanka’s small evergreen swamp forest. Tree branches have been known to break from the weight of sleeping bats in the day, and every night, the bats eat a collective 5,000 tons of fruit.

If you’re staying at a local lodge, you’ll have access to specially-built wooden platforms in the trees to watch the bats at dawn and dusk; but even if not, there are publiclyavailable viewing places.

ALSO EASTERN ZAMBIA • Go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Nsumbu National Park, on the edge of Lake Tanganyika • Stay in a decaying English manor at Shiwa House and visit the nearby hot springs • Marvel at the Kalambo Falls, one of the tallest uninterrupted waterfalls in Africa

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

THE

ULTIMATESAFARI With its spectacular national parks and extraordinary wildlife, Zambia offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa – and, as a lesser-known destination, visitors will have some of the most remarkable wildernesses on earth virtually to themselves.

30% of Zambia is designated as protected game space, home to countless endangered species, from cheetah and rhinos to Cape wild dogs and Cookson’s wildebeest.

It’s a far cry from the low days of the 1980s, when a combination of poaching and traditional practices like hunting wild animals and cutting trees led to the extinction of the black rhino in Zambia and the severe depletion of other species.

Since then, responsibly-managed national parks and local, community-led interven-

tions have transformed the ways people interact with wildlife in Zambia, and in turn have led to a resurgence of safari-driven tourism to the country.

Responsible safaris bring important tourist dollars to Zambia, and disincentivize poaching and other destructive practices. Many of the lodges in and around the national parks donate part of their proceeds to community projects, creating jobs and opportunities from conservation.

Sustainability-minded tourists can participate in the efforts to conserve Zambia’s living heritage and simultaneously improve the lives of local communities by inquiring at their lodges. Many lodges will offer opportunities to make donations to the communities, or even to get involved, which will allow visitors to remain a part of Zambian development long after they leave. You can also donate to WWF’s African Elephant Program, sponsoring anti-poaching teams and community training.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA WHAT TO DO - Take a walking safari Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari, a unique opportunity to experience African wildlife from ground-level.

Alternatively, river safaris are a great opportunity to see wildlife like hippos and crocodiles.

- Follow your guide’s instructions Local guides have a wealth of knowledge about the national parks, which they’re sure to share with you. Just make sure to follow their lead when they’re giving instructions, even if a situation seems perfectly safe to you – their assessment will be based on years of experience.

- Contribute to local organizations In the rural areas around Zambia’s national parks, there are dozens of fantastic local organizations making a difference.

Speak to members of staff at your lodge about the best way to donate to community organizations, and ask to visit projects they support. Just make sure

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to avoid visiting schools during lesson times, which is not helpful for students or teachers.

- Bring something home Ethical souvenirs can be a great way to have a positive impact on the community around your safari. Ask for advice at your lodge, and seek out craftspeople who have made their products themselves.

- Marvel at nature’s magnificence Zambia has over 700 species of bird, and some of the most iconic animals in existence, all in their natural habitats. A safari in Zambia can be awe-inspiring. Make the most of it!

WHAT NOT TO DO - Don’t approach the animals The animals in Zambia’s national parks are wild, and mostly timid. Don’t approach them or attempt to attract their attention. At best, you are likely to stress the animals; at worst, you could provoke protective behaviours, and put yourself and your fellow safari-goers in danger.

- Don’t leave any trace of your visit If you generate any trash while on safari, take it with you. In particular, do not smoke in the national parks. The scent of cigarette smoke alarms the animals, and can cause destructive fires.

- Don’t buy animal-based or illegal souvenirs Products made from ivory, turtle shells and eggs, and the fur, skins, and bones of protected species encourage illegal poaching. Also to avoid: illegally logged hardwoods, like African ebony or Zambezi teak. Ask a reputable guide for help selecting ethical, locally-made souvenirs.

- Avoid unethical ‘sanctuaries’ Avoid ‘sanctuaries’ which offer elephant rides or opportunities to pet or walk with lions and other predators. The animals have been subjected to cruel, violent training, may be drugged, and can no longer be released to the wild, which means they are likely to either be kept captive for life or sold to hunting farms as easy prey for trophy hunters. c

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

CAMPSITE

Delightful and beautiful. the perfect place to stay and explore Luambe

The campsite is located at the Luangwa River and located about 7 km from the northern entrance gate to Luambe National Park.

This is an excellent base to explore Luambe NP, from Chipuka (Northern entrance) Gate.

Travellers have reported this as being an excellent campsite with good access roads.

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

260-978-671-841

|

CAMPSITE

kamukonzocommunitycampsite@gmail.com

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

TOP PICKS SBM TOP PICKS SAFARIS

SBM TOP PICKS RURAL STAYS

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Absolute Zambia Safaris +260 21 6225-015 absolutezambiasafaris.com/

AVANI Victoria Falls Resort +271 00 038-977 avanihotels.com/en/victoria-falls

Mbizi West Safaris +260 97 8016-191 pioneercampzambia.com/pioneer-safaris

Kamukonzo Community Campsite +260 97 8671-841 kamukonzocommunitycampsite@gmail.com

Robin Pope Safaris +260 95 7090-441 robinpopesafaris.net/zambia.php

Pioneer Camp Zambia +260 97 8016-191 www.pioneercampzambia.com/

SBM TOP PICKS URBAN STAYS

SBM TOP PICKS EXPERIENCES

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

CAMPSITE

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Dolphin Lodge +260 21 1243-819 dolphinlodges@gmail.com

DOLPHIN LODGE

Catch-and-release fishing at Matoya +278 22 5318-14 matoyalodge.com/

J.K. Tinkalile Guest House +260 97 7891-270 kennanjere@gmail.com

J.K. TINKALILE GUEST HOUSE

Whitewater rafting at Victoria Falls +260 21 6225-015 absolutezambiasafaris.net/white-water-rafting.htm

Chamba Valley Exotic Hotel +260 96 8749943 mikahotels.com/chamba-valley-exotic-hotel

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Visit and contribute to Kawaza Village +260 95 7090-441 www.robinpopesafaris.net/responsible-tourism.ph

VISIT ZAMBIA FOR THE

ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

www.zambia.travel

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INTERVIEW: ESWADE

EMPOWERING SMALLHOLDERS Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Samson Sithole, Chief Executive Officer at the eSwatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE), about driving successful irrigation projects in southern Africa, community investment, and working with partners.

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LUBOVANE RESERVIOUR AT FULL CAPACITY AND SPILLING OVER

A COMMUNITY MEETING IN SESSION

A FARMER WITH HIS HERD JUST BEFORE A LIVESTOCK AUCTION AT LUSIP II

The eSwatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE) is a public company tasked with facilitating the planning and development of water and agricultural resources in eSwatini, with an emphasis on community empowerment.

ESWADE aims to drive new opportunities in the development of sustainable and accessible socio-economic infrastructure in the region, with a portfolio of nine large projects impacting 80,000 thousand people across three of the four regions of eSwatini.

In 2017, when Sustainable Business Magazine last spoke to ESWADE, which at the time operated under the name Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (SWADE), the company was working on the Komati Downstream Development Project (KDDP) and the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP I), both of which were large scale endeavors to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Swaziland. (See Sustainable Business Magazine EMEA issue 03/17 for the full feature.) In 2018, Swaziland was renamed eSwatini to celebrate the country’s 50th year of independence, and SWADE became ESWADE to reflect this.

SUSTAINABLE HISTORY ESWADE was first created by the government of eSwatini (then Swaziland) in 1999 as the Swaziland Komati Project Enterprise, or SKPE. “We were established at this time to lead and co-ordinate a water-based project in the downstream Komati basin,” says Samson Sithole, Chief Executive Officer

at ESWADE. “The project was intended to transform the Komati basin and the livelihoods of the people there through intensive agricultural activities. The successful co-ordination of this project saw the birth of what is now called the eSwatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise.”

“Now, following an expanded mandate which includes other well areas, ESWADE remains the leading agricultural implementer in well development,” says Mr. Sithole. “The focus is on local people and the development of the national land of eSwatini, as well as constructive use of water resources to stimulate food security, valuation, and social invigoration in all parts of the country. Our objective at ESWADE also includes promoting participation of smallholder farm organizations in irrigative commercial agriculture as part of a poverty eradication program for well areas. Our second objective is enhancing private sector development through the active participation of small and medium enterprises and agricultural developments.”

PROMISES DELIVERED Recently, there have been some largescale developments in ESWADE’s ongoing projects. “In the years 2018 and 2019, we successfully completed two of our giant, ongoing projects: the Komati Downstream Development Project (KDDP) and the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Project Phase 1 (LUSIP I),” says Mr. Sithole. “Right now we are at around 50 percent completion of the main canal for LUSIP Phase 2. The dam infrastrucSUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: ESWADE LUBOVANE RESEVOIR (LUBOVANE DAM - LUSIP PROJECT)

ture is still in progress, then there are another seven pending projects. Our portfolio is nine projects with a combined worth of 5.2 billion SZL, affecting over 80,000 people.

The number of impacted people is also set to increase significantly as soon as all of our projects are implemented in full.”

One major ongoing project for ESWADE is the Smallholder Market-Led Project (SMLP). “This is also known as the Climate Smart Agriculture for Resilient Livelihoods Project (CSARL),” says Mr. Sithole. “This is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to support an additional thirty-seven Chiefdoms in the country. Then we have another ongoing project called the High Value Horticulture Project, which is being funded by the EU. That one is actually covering the entire country, and it’s based in the small areas in the countryside where we are unable to cover the areas in the same way we did in the Komati and LUSIP projects. We also have another ongoing project called the Water Harvesting Project that is also covering the whole country and is also funded by the EU.”

moving from traditional materials to modern materials and modern structures. In terms of food security people are much more stable than at any time before. Basically the impact is massive and the country is always benefiting. Most people are now active participants in growing the economy of the country.”

“We continuously look for new ways to do things and introduce new methods to make our business and development processes more efficient,” says Mr. Sithole.

“We measure our innovations by mapping existing processes and monetary change, whether positive or negative, in terms of cost or time of delivery. We have paid critical attention to implementing and complying with innovations that have been established by other big players in the industry, especially in areas of best practices and new technologies in irrigation. We are always on the lookout for new innovations in the technology space in general. We also come up with new training techniques to be able to adapt and adopt those technologies. Importantly, we also improve by learning from the work we are doing. Often we find that the things we do are unique to us and our projects.”

EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT In addition to the community impacts of water access, ESWADE’s projects have other benefits. “These projects are generating huge amounts of money and just last year alone they generated in the excess of 400 million,” explains Mr. Sithole. “That means they paid 59 million in taxes and millions in dividends to their shareholders. The projects are also employing over three thousand people. These people are then able to pay school fees and so on. Involvement in schools has gone up in these areas. The quality of houses has drastically improved,

INVESTING IN PEOPLE “Through our work over the years, we have developed tools and models which have then been honed,” explains Mr. Sithole.

“These tools have then evolved into the Chiefdom Development Plans (CDPs), which combines those previously learned lessons with new innovations, which is basically what goes into developing new communities and then new CDPs. At ESWADE our motto is ‘investing in people’, and the new communities that we develop through CDPs are the cornerstone of what we do.

How we structure the CDPs is holistic and

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A SECTION OF THE 6 KM LONG, 2.4M DIAMETER SIPHON AT LUSIP II EXTENSION

always focused around the aspirations of the beneficiaries.”

“Because our focus is largely on commercially viable agriculture, we recognize that not all homesteads within our project will have access,” says Mr. Sithole. “We are therefore committed to the development of viable small-scale agriculture using effective irrigation. This includes several of the small projects we are working on across the country, in order to maximize the number of beneficiaries within our reach. We are crucially improving housing, food security, and promoting the transformation of agriculture.

Our organization is focused on and founded in the Chiefdom Development Plans. This includes housing, traditional leaders, governments, institutions, developments, and the

private sector. These partners strengthen our ability to carry out these projects, and all the stakeholders are heavily involved.”

STRONG PARTNERSHIPS “Some key areas we want to provide irrigation for have been severely impacted by drought and are currently operating

LUSIP I INFRASTRUCTURE. SAND TRAP INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE WEIR TAKE-OFF

at almost a quarter of what they were before,” explains Mr. Sithole. “We are working on the mitigation of drought in the southern region in general, where there is some form of drought every single year. It is one part of the country that always suffers from at least some level of drought. So hopefully on the completion

BANANA PACKHOUSE AT LLUSIP (LNL PACK HOUSE)

of this project the whole southern part of the country will be better off when it comes to water.”

ESWADE intends to continue working closely with other governments and public, and private organizations in order to achieve the best results. “We intend to prioritize water alongside traditional development and integrate it with all other aspects of investment projects entrusted to ESWADE,” says Mr. Sithole. “One way in particular is by supporting the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy in the development and implementation of projects. We will strive to take decisions that ensure the most prudent use of resources, resulting in more benefits for both the government and the community.” c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Q&A: REZA PAKRAVAN

DANAKIL DEPRESSION. THE HOTTEST PLACE ON EARTH.

Reza Pakravan

Photography by Mark Game Welcome home Reza. First of all, can you give us a broad overview of your recent trip across the Sahel region – where did you go, how did you travel, and what did you see and do?

I started my journey at the lip of the Atlantic Ocean and crossed the Sahelian belt at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert to finish on the shores of the Red Sea. I crossed the continent from west to east travelling through Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. To get a better understanding of this under-reported region, I lived as the locals do, travelled as they travel, ate from the same bowls, slept where they sleep. I hitchhiked, used animal carts, bush-taxis, buses, camels, donkeys, lorries, and, of course, journeyed on foot. I slept on rooftops, in tree-tents, mosques, churches, and locals’ houses.

SETTING UP CAMP BY RIVER BANI IN MALI, USING SPECIALIST ‘TREE TRENT’

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In recent years, you have already traveled in some extraordinary places. What was your impetus for choosing the Sahel for your most recent journey – and why did you choose to travel at the hottest time of the year?

It was not my intention to travel at the hottest time of the year.

Various logistical issues – including border closures, visas, and funding – delayed the trip. Once everything fell into place, I was not going to wait.

Over the past few years, my job as an explorer and filmmaker has been focused on documenting the impact of outside forces, such as environmental issues, on the lives of various indigenous peoples around the world. I have been documenting and telling the stories of communities and places that are often ignored by the mainstream media. The Sahel is Africa’s forgotten frontier, yet it is also one of the most important parts of the world since its issues impact all of us: issues including war, terrorism and migration. My aim was to document the causes of the problems, not the symptoms.

How is climate change impacting the Sahelian belt, and what impacts did you see for local people, environments, and businesses?

The Sahelian Belt is on the front line of climate change. It’s where temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else, and the ensuing desertification has contributed to the greatest human migration in recorded history. Over the past decade, encroaching desert has degraded the land. The layer of desert sand covering the fertile soil has become thicker and thicker, resulting in the destruction of crops and agricultural lands. People who struggle to feed their livestock or make a living from agriculture or farming have had to leave their homes and migrate to other places. Some of those places have their resources under pressure and do not welcome the new migrants, which has led to wars across the Sahel. In some parts of the Sahel, extreme poverty caused by environmental issues has provided a fertile recruitment ground for extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram. The rise of Islamist extremist groups and ethnic militias has turned the region into a war zone.

One focal point for your journey was The Great Green Wall (GGW). Can you tell our readers about this African-led project, and what you saw of the GGW as you traveled?

The Great Green Wall (GGW) is an ambitious African-led initiative which aims to grow an 8000km line of trees and plants across the entire width of the continent to bring life back to the land and transform the lives of those who remain there. The GGW is a symbol of the hope that humanity can overcome its greatest threats. The GGW is not only about planting trees, however, it is also about land management: improving the quality of soil and making sure that the trees are disease-free. It’s also about resource management.

It was not difficult to spot the tangible benefits of the GGW across the region. In some countries – including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger – the GGW has made major progress and the local population has started to enjoy the economic benefits.

The plantations have brought life back to the degraded land.

Families can grow their crops as well as provide food for their livestock. It has created employment and the local population are actively engaged with the project.

WALKING IN MALI WITH A LOCAL GUIDE REZA USED SPECIALIST BAREFOOT SHOES FOR MUCH OF HIS JOURNEY

I could instantly see the tangible benefits of the GGW on the wildlife. Birds had returned and I could hear them singing.

However, the threat of the desert is there and the soil is constantly in need of attention as the sand covers and hardens it.

The GGW was perhaps the most fascinating thing that I saw during my journey.

In your view, what impacts can the GGW have for companies in Africa and elsewhere in the world – and how can businesses support the GGW? The future of the project is totally dependent of making a commercial case. There is an incredible commercial opportunity and some companies in nations such as Senegal, where the GGW has made the most progress, have started to realize the potential opportunities.

This includes selling carbon offset to businesses in developed countries and planting trees on their behalf. International collaboration could bring incredible mutual benefits to the whole world and could lead to mass employment, prosperity, and reducing terrorism.

After you have rested and recovered (and after your documentary series airs), what are your plans for the future?

My work never stops. I have a couple of projects with a similar focus in development.

The expedition was supported by the Scientific Exploration Society, and Reza would like to thank sponsors Sun Chlorella, Lestoff, Wildling, Tentsile, BodyMe, and Eagle Creek.

For more information on Reza Pakravan and his projects please visit https://www.rezapakravan.com/ c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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TRAVEL GUIDE: UGANDA

DESTINATION

UGANDA An introduction to Sustainable Business Magazine’s Uganda Travel Guide from Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board.

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The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is a statutory organization with a mandate to promote and market Uganda locally, across the region, and internationally.

We are also tasked with promoting quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading, and classification, promoting tourism investment, and supporting and acting as the liaison for the private sector in the development of tourism.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXCELLENCE Uganda is currently training tour operators towards sustainable development under the Tourism Excellence Uganda project. The Tourism Excellence Uganda project aims at improving its members’ quality management in line with corporate governance, better working practices, relationships with host communities, and sensitivity to changing consumer issues, fair trade relations, human rights, and environmental factors.

This project is led by the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) in partnership with Germany-based Tourcert and Kenya-based Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda (STTA), co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Tourcert.

In the past, Uganda has particularly emphasized on promoting our abundant wildlife.

With conservation efforts at an all-time high, the news that the mountain gorilla has come off the critically endangered list has

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TRAVEL GUIDE: UGANDA

been welcomed in Uganda, where more than 50% of the world’s mountain gorillas reside. This is especially pleasing given the positive part that eco-tourism has played in the process.

Uganda’s game viewing has been hugely boosted in the process. Ground-breaking conservation work is going into areas where chimpanzees are present, in order to protect man’s close relatives. Birding also remains a key draw for visitors to Uganda, with an ever increasing 1060 species. With conservation in mind, UTB has also looked to highlight attractions away from wildlife.

Adventure activities, like whitewater rafting on the Nile or trekking and mountaineering in the Ruwenzori, are growing in demand.

ECONOMIC STIMULATOR The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) sector is a powerful economic stimulator and has a far-reaching economic multiplier effect. It is also a labor-intensive industry that creates jobs, a significant earner of foreign exchange, and it generates substantial tax revenues for governments and stimulates development.

Uganda is positioning as a MICE (Meet-

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ings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) destination, a powerful economic stimulator which has a far-reaching economic multiplier effect. We are in the process of setting up a convention bureau, and our conference venue facilities have a geographical spread of the whole country. We are hopeful that this move will reduce pressure on our wildlife and will also increase tourism receipts.

UTB will host the 5th annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2020), a tourism and travel trade exhibition which brings together regional and international tour operators, travel agents, destination agencies, and various players in the tourism trade to network and facilitate tourism business. The three-day expo will run from 4-6 February 2020 and will be held at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo, under the theme ‘Inspiring high-value engagement to promote intra-Africa travel for leisure, business, and adventure’.

COMMUNITY GROWTH Through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda gives back to host communities under the revenue sharing program.

The program strengthens partnerships

between local communities, local governments, and management of wildlife areas, leading to sustainable management of wildlife resources. Over USh20 billion has been given to the neighboring communities of protected areas in revenue share alone over the last six years.

There are also other collaborative programs where communities benefit directly from the national parks, including resource access such as fuel wood, grass, water, fish, and bee keeping. Such resource offtake from the park is valued at over USh400 million per annum.

The UTB is increasingly partnering with private sector and development partners to promote community-based tourism activities, such as agro-tourism in the form of coffee tours and cattle ranch tours. For example, UTB and the World Wildlife Fund Uganda Country Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and the UWA constructed and handed over a coffee house aimed at supporting the local community living near at the Ruwenzori Mountain National Park. This is the latest product that has been developed to improve

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financing for the Ruwenzori National Park by diversifying sources of income for the locals.

This synergy between two vibrant sectors – coffee and tourism – will have a significant impact on the economy, given that Uganda’s coffee has already built a reputation amongst global coffee connoisseurs.

HOSPITABLE AND WELCOMING In Uganda, there is something vibrant happening at every turn. As rural Ugandans go about their lives, there is so

much to see, especially the lively markets, children playing in their schools, people working the fields, and the noise of everyday village gatherings.

The UTB is focused on increasing the number of tourist arrivals and receipts to further grow our economy. In the short term, our target is to grow numbers from the current 1.7 million tourists per year to 4 million by 2021. Year-on-year growth in the number of tourist arrivals has been steadily

increasing and our aim is to maintain this momentum while attracting more tourists from emerging markets.

The World Tourism Organization has ranked Uganda third among the world’s top 10 most promising tourism destinations amidst a number of global endorsements for Destination Uganda. Ultimately Uganda will be seen as a full-package destination that caters to every traveler, is eco-conscious, and is hospitable and welcoming to all. c

WHERE FUN, FREEDOM & FULFILMENT FINALLY MEET FOUND IN THE EASTERN REGION OF “THE PEARL OF AFRICA”, JINJA, UGANDA IS HOME TO THE SOURCE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST RIVER, THE NILE Situated just 5 minutes from the source of the great River Nile, Source of the Nile Hotel’s range of 45 luxurious rooms come with a choice of garden, terrace or Nile views. Our first-class restaurant caters to a variety of tastes with its à la carte, table d’hôte, buffet, and al fresco options. The hotel also hosts events of any type or scale—from international conferences to intimate receptions.

Source of the Nile Hotel

T. +256 790 911 318

E. info@sourceofthenilehotel.ug

LOCAL ACTIVITIES • Rafting • Kayaking • Quad Biking plus much more...

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TRAVEL GUIDE: UGANDA

WHAT TO DO IN...

SOUTHWEST TREK TO SEE THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AT BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK Half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas live right here in Uganda. Permits are available through the Uganda Wildlife Authority and reliable safari operators, and the fee is re-invested in conservation.

Pack warm, light clothing for the altitude and the sometimes exhausting terrain, and you’ll be rewarded with a close glimpse of one of mankind’s closest relatives. Chimpanzee treks are also available nearby at Kibale Forest National Park.

CLIMB UGANDA’S HIGHEST PEAK AT THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS Covering almost 100,000 hectares on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, six of Africa’s ten largest peaks can be found in the Rwenzori range. You’ll see the richest mountain flora in Africa, endangered and threatened species – and, best of all, you’ll have them all almost to yourself, as, unlike Kilimanjaro, the Rwenzoris attract only around 1000 visitors per year.

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SWIM IN THE CRYSTAL-CLEAR HIGHLAND WATERS OF LAKE BUNYONYI The ‘place of little birds’ is tranquil and isolated from the Nile basin, meaning it’s free of crocodiles, hippos, and bilharzia – perfect for al fresco swimming. Alternatively, take a boat tour of the lake’s twenty-nine islands and learn about the unique local history.

THE PLACE TO STAY SAPPHIRE HOTEL LTD

Kigo Rd, 1km off Entebbe Rd. P.O.Box 23126, Kampala Uganda Tel. +256 (0)417 720 200 | 776 232 861 | 772 615 402 Email. sapphire@infocom.co.ug www.sapphirehoteluganda.com

SOUTHEAST GO WHITEWATER RAFTING AT THE SOURCE OF THE NILE With plenty of Grade IV and V rapids, seasoned rapids fans will find plenty to love in Uganda, where the White Nile emerges from Lake Victoria. But newbies may be surprised to find that no experience is required to take on one of the world’s most intense adventure experiences. And for the truly faint-of-heart, local tour companies offer a range of tranquil Nile cruises as well.

EXPLORE KAMPALA ON A BODA BODA Uganda isn’t all glassy water and rolling hillsides, and there’s no better way to see Uganda’s bustling capital than from the back of a local motorcycle taxi. Drink banana beer, go to the Kasubi Tombs, visit a craft market, see live entertainment at the National Cultural Center – and hold on tight.

RELAX ON THE BEACH IN FRONT OF A BONFIRE ON THE SSESE ISLANDS Need a few days off to recover after another wilderness adventure? Enjoy a little me-time on a sandy beach on the shore of Lake Victoria. Read a good book, admire the remarkable sunset, and enjoy a few drinks by the ubiquitous evening beach bonfires.

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NORTHWEST

NORTHEAST

SUPPORT THE WHITE RHINOS AT THE ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY This collaboration between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rhino Fund Uganda is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild. Located in between Kampala and Murchison Falls National Park, the sanctuary was the site for the reintroduction of six endangered southern white rhinos in 2005. Today, twenty-two rhinos, plus innumerable mammals, reptile, bird, and insect species, call Ziwa home. The sanctuary survives on tourist income, so why not also purchase something from the craft store?

EXPLORE A HIDDEN GEM AT KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Hidden far from the typical tourist trail in the far north of Uganda, this 1442 km2 wilderness is also home to other secretive treasures. Nowhere else in Uganda will you find the world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah, as well as aardwolves, bat-eared foxes, caracal, or kudus. Vast savannah, mountains, rivers, hot springs – the park, despite its isolation, teems with wildlife suited to the diverse habitats, and the valley is also home to one of Africa’s smallest ethnic groups, the Ik people.

MARVEL AT THE MURCHISON FALLS Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest game reserve, with elephants, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, hippos, and crocodiles, as well as the rare shoe-billed stork. Then there’s the falls themselves – the point at which the 50m-wide Nile presses through a 7m gorge before a 43m drop. Take a cruise to see the falls from the bottom, then hike up to the top to watch the spectacular power of the water as it passes through the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’.

VISIT A TRADITIONAL KARAMOJA VILLAGE IN MOROTO Spend a day and night with local cattle herders, and experience rural life as part of this unique social enterprise. You’ll learn to prepare staple foods and participate in crafts and enjoy a night sharing stories with herders around the campfire.

You can also go on a nature walk in the Mount Moroto Valley.

VISIT UGANDA FOR

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES

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INTERVIEW: KENYA POWER AND LIGHTING COMPANY

LIGHTING UP

KENYA Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Gregory Ngahu, Acting Manager for Corporate Communications at Kenya Power, about increasing access to electricity, investments in renewable energy, and the importance of people.

KENYA POWER ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS.

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The Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited (Kenya Power) is the national electric utility company for Kenya, owning and operating the bulk of the country’s electricity transmission and distribution system.

Though the company is listed on the Nairobi Securities exchange, the Kenyan government maintains a controlling stake, holding 50.1% of the utility’s shares while 49.9% are held by private investors. Kenya Power currently sells power to over 6.75 million customers, with continuing goals to maintain and expand their network, further improving electricity access for Kenyans.

“Kenya Power began operating ninety-seven years ago, in 1922, when we were initially established as the East African Power and Lighting Company (EAP&L),” says Gregory Ngahu, Acting Manager for Corporate Communications at Kenya Power.

“That company was formed out of the merger of two slightly older existing organisations: The Mombasa Electric Power and Lighting Company, and the Nairobi Power and Lighting Syndicate.”

After EAP&L exited Uganda and Tanzania, the company was renamed the Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited in 1983. Subsequently, the generating and transmission infrastructure arms of Kenya Power were split off into separate companies: Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), formed in 1997, and Kenya Elec-

tricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), formed in 2008. “Since then, the largest developments in the last ten years have been about our corporate achievements, for example an increased rate of customer connectivity,” says Mr. Ngahu. “We have also successfully expanded the business in terms of how we serve our customers including adapting our business model to operate in a digital world. The general structure of the business has remained much the same, but our aims and objectives have evolved to match our increasing customer base, changing expectations and ongoing success.”

INCREASING CONNECTIVITY To increase access to electricity for all, Kenya Power works alongside the Kenyan government to construct and improve the electrical infrastructure. “One of our projects is the

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INTERVIEW: KENYA POWER AND LIGHTING COMPANY

Last Mile Connectivity Project,” says Mr. Ngahu. “This is a very large undertaking that is funded by the Kenyan government, along with several other large organisations that include the African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (AFD), and the World Bank. The project is about radically increasing connectivity all over the country, reaching approximately 1.5 million households within the next few years. The project involves developing an extensive web of numerous low-voltage systems to connect our potential customers to the Na66 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

tional Grid. People in Kenya live in sparsely populated parts of the country, so running power to such locations is a prominent and costly aspect of the project. Most of the areas we are striving to connect with this project are mostly rural or newly urbanized.”

Kenya Power is also collaborating with the government in the Public Lighting Programme “Through this program, thousands of lanterns and floodlights have been installed to illuminate public roads, streets and market areas late at night,” explains Mr. Ngahu. “We have built street

lighting facilities for over sixty towns across the country. It is a very large undertaking.

Fortunately, the government backing has once again enabled this extensive program and what our company is providing specifically is the technical expertise in the planning and implementation of the project. Once again, we are placing a lot of emphasis on working to strengthen our network so that the quality of service we are providing to our customers is high. To do this, we are updating our existing substations and building new ones in all strategic

locations. We are working to creatively use the space available, increasing the output while minimising any negative effect on the environment, which means utilising modern Hatari Security is a leading Kenyan integrated security company specialising in the provision of security solutions.

We specialise in outsourced business processes and facilities in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat.

technology such as GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) substations which occupy less Hatari House, Westlands Rhapta Road T: 0726 95 24 03 E: info@hatarisecurity.co.ke www.hatarisecurity.co.ke

space but provide a high output. Through strengthening our network and system, we are laying the groundwork to reinforce our presence and ensure that our customers receive only the highest quality of service now and in the future.”

RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES As utilities around the world embrace renewable sources of electricity, Kenya Power is working closely with the government on green energy projects. “There has been a lot of planning work related to solar, which is incredibly useful in rural areas that are harder

to power by more traditional methods,” says Mr. Ngahu. “One of the upcoming projects is the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (K-OSAP) which is aimed at connecting 277,000 households, 1097 community facilities and 380 boreholes using solar mini grids.

There are some hybrid projects, as well, where we combine the existing power grid with new solar power infrastructure. There is a great deal of investment in this area, and we are working towards incorporating more of these technologies in the near future. ” In addition to solar, geothermal energy is a critical source for renewable energy in

Kenya. “Geothermal energy is an important part of the energy mix and through the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) more geothermal power is being injected into the grid,” explains Mr. Ngahu. “The Geothermal Development Corporation is responsible for exploration and development of geothermal resources in the country. GDC then connects to KenGen and other Independent Power Producers (IPPs) who oversee the generation of geothermal power which is then injected into the grid.

We are therefore as a country increasing the geothermal power available, maintaining

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INTERVIEW: KENYA POWER AND LIGHTING COMPANY

and increasing the hydro power, and in addition exploring solar potential for future projects and expansion. Renewable energy is important to promote sustainability and manage the overall cost of energy for all our customers. People are looking for more affordable options, which enables us to explore these environmentally-friendly technologies. Renewable sources of energy are good for us, our customers and the planet.”

ACCESSIBILITY AND RELIABILITY The Kenyan population is increasing rapidly, and more and more Kenyans require access to a reliable, consistent supply of electricity. “To cater for this growing population, we have to keep expanding our facilities and ensuring that our service is reliable,” says Mr. Ngahu. “We are strengthening our existing resources, but we are also building more lines, increasing the numbers of people with access to the grid, and increasing the efficiency of the grid itself.

The bottom line is increased reliability and access to electricity for everyone. Our commitment is to providing high-quality service, transform people’s lives and innovatively 68 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

secure business sustainability. Kenya Power is committed to effective implementation of projects and continual improvement of quality management, in order to consistently meet the requirements and expectations of customers and other stakeholders.

To achieve these objectives, it means that we must accelerate investments to create lots of alternatives and strengthen the infrastructure, which better enables repairs and maintenance without interrupting our critical service to our customers.”

PEOPLE POWER “Right now we are working towards transforming the company into a streamlined and improved version of itself,” explains Mr. Ngahu. “Our strategy is to move into the future concentrating on people, including our customers, our communities, and our more than ten thousand employees.

We’re working on our outreach, and on our workplace culture to make it even more proactive. We will continue streamlining our approach to corporate governance, so that even as we improve on the network and the physical infrastructure, the people, and the culture are improving as well.

We will be concentrating on a strategy to ensure that all this is channelled towards transforming people’s lives.”

“The Energy Act 2019 is a new law in Kenya that creates and strengthens entities such as the Energy and Petroleum Authority (EPRA),” explains Mr. Ngahu. “EPRA has responsibility for regulation of the energy and petroleum sector in the country, which includes licencing the various agencies in the industry. The Energy Act represents a new way of thinking in matters of provision of energy in Kenya: quality power, improved regulations, and increased accessibility.

The new way of operating will increase

competition between providers, raising the stakes once again for quality of service and operations. So our goals for the future and aims for improving service are all related to increased accessibility and an expanding customer base, as well as improving and streamlining operations. People are going to play a front and centre role throughout all of our plans, policies, and aims. We put our customers first, we work together as one team to achieve our goals, and we are passionate about powering the nation. We believe in integrity and delivering on our promises, and strive for excellence in all that we do.” c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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GREENING KENYAN REAL ESTATE

INTERVIEW: LASER PROPERTY SERVICES

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Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Shafana Rajani, General Manager at Laser Property Services (LASER), about a unique residential and commercial development in Nairobi, contributing to local communities, and cutting-edge green technology.

Laser Property Services (LASER) is a Kenyan real estate management firm offering a wide range of services to both residential and commercial sectors. “We started off as part of a property department of CPF Financial Services with just four staff, mainly doing rent collection and property management,” explains Shafana Rajani, General Manager at LASER. “However, in 2013, we became a wholly owned subsidiary of CPF, and since

then we have not stopped growing. At the moment there are currently 40 staff, with about five of them in senior management.

We have also grown in terms of revenue and, in addition to managing CPF’s own portfolio, we have been able to tap into the open market and serve customers there as well. As far as our services are concerned, we now do valuations, project feasibility studies, consultancy, property management, letting

and sale of residential and commercial properties, and we have recently started doing project management as well.”

CUTTING-EDGE DEVELOPMENT Freedom Heights is LASER’s new five-acre residential and commercial development located opposite Uhuru Gardens on Langata Road, a short distance from downtown Nairobi. “We allocated 35% of the fiveacre plot to a commercial center, a mall,” says Ms. Rajani. “For the mall, we have already let 50% of the space to several well-known Kenyan brands. Another 60% of the plot, which equaled about 3 acres,

went to apartments. The remaining 5% was used for the service and utilities plot.

The mall itself is 11,215m2, and includes 281 parking spaces. The 252 two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments are split into nine blocks, and each block has eight storeys. This is laid out so that the ground floor is the parking area and the seven upper floors are where the apartments are located. The third component, the service plot, has a utilities section that serves the entire project. There is a step-down transformer, water recycling plant and back-up generator on site serving the whole of Freedom Heights.”

By using an on-site water recycling plant, Freedom Heights is able to save and reuse – vital in Nairobi, where ongoing shortfalls in the supply of water has led to rationing.

“Water for the site initially comes from a

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INTERVIEW: LASER PROPERTY SERVICES has an LPG reticulation system. Primarily, these technologies are used for convenience, so you have continuous supply of all the utilities. They provide a comfortable living apartment, which is what residents and commercial tenants really want. The second thing, from a community and environmental perspective, is that we are building for the long-term. These types of measures are essential for the future of real estate.” borehole that we drilled,” says Ms. Rajani.

“We then have a recycling plant for gray water coming in, which cleans and purifies it before sending back to the apartments for flushing of the toilets. Sewage is then processed and the sludge is what is actually discarded into the sewer system. The water that comes out is treated and confirmed as safe for consumption, although we don’t let that go into human consumption. We just do the flushing of the toilets, as well as landscaping and gardening across Freedom Heights. This recycling process means we have minimal water wastage.”

RELIABLE POWER Also essential in Nairobi, where energy can be expensive and interruptions to the local electricity grid are be commonplace, Freedom Heights features a step-down transformer on-site, allowing LASER to buy power in bulk and process it before distributing it out to the shopping center and apartments. “We also run back-up generators,” says Ms. Rajani. “In a country like Kenya where power outages can be common, these two services complement each other to ensure Freedom Heights doesn’t lose power when everywhere else does. The estate also has a gas supply and is the first residential project in Kenya that

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ECONOMIC PILLAR “We’re in the real estate industry and all the homes we provide are primarily intended to serve the primary objective of providing shelter,” says Ms. Rajani.

“Money supply, inflation, and real estate development are the three things able to significantly effect economic growth in Kenya. As much as there is a main variable, they are all interlinked. We believe that real estate development plays an important role in complementing the other two, not only in terms of buying and selling homes, but also in the development process itself.

We always make sure to buy local materials and employ local people, for example.”

LASER are also involved in several community service initiatives. “At the end of 2018, we went to a local primary school in Kajiado,” Ms. Rajani says. “There, we went into the classroom blocks and found that they were highly structurally depleted.

As a result, we refurbished and renovated them to provide the schoolchildren with a much better learning environment. We also participated in a Dyslexia Awareness Walk in 2019. Most importantly, though, LASER has directly and indirectly provided employment for over 100 people, which is something we’re very proud of.”

“WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO BUY LOCAL MATERIALS AND EMPLOY LOCAL PEOPLE, FOR EXAMPLE.”

TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES Looking forward, LASER plan to continue embracing innovative, sustainable technologies which will improve both the ease of doing business and the environmental impact of homes. “We believe emerging tech and shifting home buyer demographics have shaken up the real estate industry in recent years,” says Ms. Rajani. “LASER has been watching the changes and taking them into consideration as we strategize for the future. One area is giving potential buyers new ways to experience homes, which means investors can increase the number of property viewings without the time and hassle. We are looking into the possibility of offering 3D property viewings that allow buyers to see a house without ever going

to specific homes. This offers serious time savings. We’re even looking into the power of virtual reality in this capacity. When it comes to real estate development itself, energy efficiency will most likely influence the decision of 80% of home buyers in the future. The features gaining popularity are

green energy solutions such as solar water heating, water recycling, and properly insulated windows. LASER’s overall aim is to keep the changes in mind and attempt to incorporate them where necessary to continue serving our clients in the best way possible.” c

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TECHNOLOGY REVIEW: MY BOO

JUST

BOOTIFUL my Boo manufacture bamboo bicycles in Ghana and Kiel, Germany, providing valuable employment in the Ashanti region and funding scholarships and a local school. Sustainable Business Magazine’s George Bell took the my Tano Deore for a ride.

The first thing you’ll notice about my Boo’s bamboo bike is the sheer substance of it. Perhaps, like me, when you heard ‘bamboo bike’, you were picturing something spindly and rickety, a kind of garden trellis with wheels, likely to dissolve into a heap of matchsticks at its first encounter 74 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

with a curb. But in person, the my Boo bike has a thick, brawny frame and joints which bulge like they’re flexing before a weightlifting competition.

Then there’s the color. Far from the pallid unripe wheat color you might associate with faux-colonial furniture, the my Boo

bike is a rich, deep teak. It makes a standard aluminum alloy bike look like a plastic ukulele next to a Stradivarius.

Bamboo is the spider silk of the wood family. The compressive strength of dry bamboo can be two to three times higher than other conventionally-used timbers, at roughly 40-80 N/mm2. “Bamboo is a perfect material,” says Jonas Stolzke, co-founder and CEO of my Boo. “It’s as stable as steel, light as aluminum, and more comfortable than carbon.” Each bike, we’re told, takes up to 80 hours to produce. The bikes are weatherproof, UV-resistant, and have a scratchproof varnish. The joining points at each corner

of the frame show off the hand-worked binding techniques.

Headquartered in the German city of Kiel, my Boo was founded in 2012 with the specific aim of reducing the high rate of unemployed young people in the Ashanti region of Ghana, where the bamboo for the frames is grown. With the help of my Boo’s partner in Ghana, The Yonso Project, my Boo have helped fund scholarships for local children and teenagers, as well as founding a school with a capacity for up to 1,000 students. With the help of UNICEF Ghana, my Boo’s ‘Bike To School’ program also has donated 150 bikes to Ghanaian children to help them get to school easily and quickly.

I tested the my Tano Deore, a mid-price city/trekking bike. The ride was comfortable, with natural suspension provided by the frame, and it was no heavier than any commuter bike currently on the market.

Gear switches were smooth with the Shimano Deore derailleur system. Shimano also provide the hydraulic disk brakes, which felt sturdy and reliable. In the summer sun of Essex, where I picked the Tano Deore at Colchester Cycle Stores, it looked stylish but not showy.

For those willing to invest in a more luxurious piece of kit, my Boo also offers two e-bikes, with a 120-150km range and a powerful and silent Shimano engine, as well as road and trekking models. Sustainable accessories, like the my Boo birch bark handlebar grips, are also available.

Having started out in the German, Austrian, and Swiss markets, my Boo recently began retailing in the U.K., with bikes available in physical dealerships up and down the country. The company is keen to expand their dealer network. One area which is notably almost absent in this network is the capital. Guys, London is calling! c https://www.my-boo.com/

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CONFERENCE REVIEW: TRAVEL FORWARD

TRAVEL>> FORWARD: LONDON

4–6 November 2019

LEARNING FROM THE TRAVEL TECH ELITE On November 5th 2019, the ExCel Conference Center in London hosted World Travel Forward London’s Travel Forward, a leading travel technology event. Sustainable Business Magazine’s George Bell and Josh Edwards attended. Review by George Bell.

The ExCel Conference Center was fizzing with activity when we rocked up, electronic lanyards at the ready.

Laid out in the arena’s near corner, before the vast microcosm of the world map that was World Travel Market (WTM), we found Travel Forward (T>F), a collection of the tech-

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nology companies leading the way in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

Wrapped around the central networking bar - where industry players did deals over a coffee or a pint of beer - were stalls occupied by innovative tech solutions providers from around the globe, over 250 in

total. We caught up with three outstanding exhibitors.

Fresh from their Gold win at WTM’s International Travel and Tourism Awards, Croatian VR company Delta Reality were exhibiting at T>F for the first time. Delta Reality’s Chief Operating Officer, Jake Škorić told us how social sustainability arises when bringing a destination’s story to life with VR. “A small village, Svetvinčenat, in Croatia with 1000 people might have a rich history but isn’t widely known. We use VR to bring their story to a wider audience and drive tourism to their village.”

SBM tried on the headset, and looked around the inside of an ornate Roman villa.

It is indeed breathtaking. “Today, it’s not enough to have a great destination,” Mr. Škorić explained. “Customers want experiences.”

Presentation-wise, hotel management software Mews nabbed the prime entrance-facing spot and took full advantage, snatching visitors’ attention with their beautiful house-shaped structure plastered with (real) plants from wall to ceiling. The significance? “If you’re using our property management system, you’re growing with us!” Antonia Bernhardt, Sales Director at Mews, suggests.

John Mullen, UK & Ireland Sales Manager told us about what Mews can offer the sustainability-minded tourist: “The Operator kiosk, our digital check in process, cuts out the need to print out registration cards, cutting down on paper usage.”

The Operator also brings convenience to the customer experience, replacing long check-in queues - “seeing nothing but the tops of receptionists’ heads,” John offers -

with online check-in, automated payments including ordering an Uber, and using your smartphone as your room key.

Elsewhere at TF was a series of talks from industry leaders from Expedia, Google, Virgin Hyperloop One, Amadeus, and many more. A Startup Showcase and the T>F Startup Competition also highlighted up-and-coming players in the industry.

We received positive reviews on T>F and WTM’s work in today’s travel and tourism industry. One exhibitor described WTM as “the blue-ribbon event” for them, with over half of their enquiries from overseas.

One of T>F’s organisers, Maria Trochoula, Marketing Manager, told us about the excitement around the startup showcase: “We celebrate and support exhibitors in any way we can.” Visitor numbers are up this year, which Maria partly puts down to the variety of new innovation: “People want to know how they can use technology c in their business!”

Next year’s Travel Forward London event will take place from 2-4 November 2020. To register interest, visit https://travelforward.wtm.com

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GLOBAL EVENTS CALENDAR

JAN 2020 5th - 6th

Inter Solar North America San Diego, CA, USA www.intersolar.us

11th - 13th

Become a part of North America’s premier, first-of-the-year solar + storage event that brings together industry innovators and decision makers for three dynamic days of business, networking, and education.

THE ENERGY EXPO Miami, FL, USA

Energizing ALL The Americas! The Energy Expo will display products Highlighting Solar, Energy Storage, Energy Saving, Energy Servicing, Energy Management, Clean Transportation, Smart Buildings, Connecting with Latin American, Caribbean and South US markets.

Smart Energy Summit Austin, TX, USA parksassociates.com/events/ smart-energy-summit/

MAR

2020 78 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

worldfutureenergysummit.com

Globe Forum will share insights, find inspiration, make connections, and identify new opportunities in the clean economy. It will feature, an array of leaders pushed us to think in new ways and showed us the transformation to a clean economy is not just an idea – it’s a reality. Our content program – Echoes of the Forum – provides you with session videos, speaker interviews, and key takeaways and actions for accelerating the clean economy.

https://www.theenergyexpo.com

17th - 19th

World Future Energy Summit 2020 Abu Dhabi - UAE

Globe Forum Vancouver, BC, Canada

https://www.globeseries.com/forum/

12th - 13th

13th - 17th

Smart Energy Summit addresses the challenge and opportunity for utilities as consumer adoption of connected products and participation in renewable power generation increase. The event addresses the new approaches and solutions that are using connectivity and data to transform how energy is delivered.

24th - 26th

Solar Power Mexico Mexico City, Mexico hfmexico.mx/solarpowermexico/

25th

AFMASS FoodTech Kampala, Uganda www.afmass.com/uganda2020/

The World Future Energy Summit is the leading annual market enabling the world’s manufacturers and suppliers in future energy, cleantech and sustainability to meet, network and trade with a valuable and influential audience of international buyers from the private and public sectors - and from across the entire value chain. As a global hub for business, innovation and knowledge exchange, World Future Energy Summit is a powerful sales platform, enabling you to build exposure and brand awareness, forge new relationships, promote your technology, create new leads and source future investment.”

FEB

2020 The Business Travel Show is the international event for business travel, and bringing together thousands of travel buyers and bookers across two days at Olympia London.

businesstravelshow.com

Solar Power Mexico is the first B2B solar energy trade show in Mexico. This exhibition is operated by Deutsche Messe, one of the leading trade show organizers worldwide, SNEC PV Power Expo, the world’s leading solar technology event based in Shanghai, China and Solar Power International, the organizers of North America’s leading events and conferences.

The event will feature a seminar programme and exhibition at Centro Citibanamex.

AFMASS FoodTech Uganda edition is the first substantive regular food, beverage and milling industry trade conference and exhibition to be held in Uganda, covering the entire sector of the industry .

ADVERTISERS INDEX A A1 Plumbing Contractors Absolute Zambia Safaris Access All Inc AVANI Victoria Falls Resort

12 39 19 48

C Chamba Valley Exotic Hotel Crane & Equipment Ltd

40 16

D D&A Mechanical Services Dolphin Lodge G Geminia Insurance Co Glassesco Investments H Hatari Security Service Human Resource Technologies

16 43

67 16

67 32

I Island Tiles

18

J J K Tinkalile Guest House J.D Berment

41 31

K Kamukonzo Community Campsite Keystone Products Kontariza Technologies

47 21 72

L LRS Productions Lydford Mining Company

31 24

M Marshall Trading Ltd Mbizi West Safaris Matoya Lodge

18 43 48

O Odyssey Engines LLC 28 Office Depot 9 One Eight One 21 P Pioneer Camp Zambia

48

R Robin Pope Safaris

S Saffron Beach Bistro & Cottages Sapphire Hotel Source Of The Nile Hotel

48

59 61 59

T TATT 33 W Water Power Conference

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