“If in three years and seven months (from 2013) I am not in Kenya, then you can fault me for not following through on my promise.” That is exactly what President Obama said when he was queried on his willingness to visit his father’s land while on a tour to Soweto, South Africa in 2013.
That Mr. Obama is a man who keeps his word is not in doubt anymore as recently the White House announced that he will be visiting Kenya in July. But what exactly is the motive behind his visit? Keep reading to find out.
What Exactly Brings Barry Home?
Obama’s trip is geared towards promoting entrepreneurship in the country. He has made similar visits to Morocco and Jamaica previously where young entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to share business ideas. Those with extra-ordinary ideas were rewarded with start-up capital and mentorship programs.
The Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which was started in 2009 to facilitate exchange of views and ideas between global leaders and entrepreneurs, is at the epicenter of this visit.
President Obama and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the White House in 2014.
-Benefits to Kenya as country
Obama’s visit sends a strong signal that Kenya is serious about its commitment to build a more entrepreneurial economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, it goes a long way to market the country as a safe haven for global investors. The ailing tourism sector may benefit from this visit against heavy travel advisories that have crippled it over the past few years.
The visit further presents an unprecedented access to business-people and organizations looking to invest in Kenya.
-Good to those in need of mentorship
If you are a young person, this will be a great opportunity to showcase your innovations to people who can help you grow. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit brings together industry leaders who can channel age-old entrepreneurship knowledge to upcoming entrepreneurship. Those who qualify for mentorship will benefit from:
- 6 weeks of training
- Enrollment in incubators, accelerators, or civil society organizations that help nurture entrepreneurial talent
- Attend summit in Washington DC
- Unlimited mentoring, networking and investment opportunities
Barack Obama visiting Granny Sarah in Kenya in 2006. He was a Senator at that time. Im: Reuters.
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-Good to those who lack capital
Lack of adequate capital is one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in Kenya. Obama’s trip aims to bring local innovators under the United States’ global goal of generating $1 billion for emerging business and social entrepreneurs by 2017.
Further, this initiative aims to help participants attract new support, investments and in-kind resources for their business or organization each year.
-Good for Kenyans
Of course, Kenyans from all walks of life will be eager to welcome back one of their most prominent son’s back home. Roads might get a face-lift, security will be improved and songs of praise will take over the airwaves.
Whether this visit will extend to K’Ogello in Siaya County (his ancestral land) is not clear for now.
