The World Federation of Engineering
Organizations (WFEO), in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya
(IEK), the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), successfully launched the WFEO Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme (ECBAP) at the United Nations Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya. This milestone event marks a new era of engineering excellence aimed at strengthening Africa’s engineering education, professional development, and infrastructure capacity.
Under the theme “Belt and Road Initiatives in Engineering Capacity Building:
Innovative Infrastructure Solutions to Achieve SDGs through Smart Partnerships with CAST and African Engineering Organizations,” the event brought together global engineering leaders, policymakers, academia, and industry experts to forge solutions for Africa’s engineering challenges.
Key Highlights of the Launch Event:
Official Launch of ECBAP: The program was officially launched by Eng. Joseph
Mbugua, Principal Secretary, State Department for Roads, representing Hon.
Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, alongside WFEO
President Eng. Mustafa Shehu, CAST Executive President Mr. Junke He, IEK
President Eng. Shammah Kiteme, and EBK Chair Eng. Erastus Mwongera.
Tripartite MoU Signing: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed
between CAST, IEK, and EBK to strengthen collaborations in engineering
capacity development, skills enhancement, and research partnerships.
Engineering Training and AI Development: IEK, as a key partner in ECBAP, committed to training over 100,000 engineers in Africa, focusing on emerging
technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), renewable energy, digital
infrastructure, and climate-resilient designs.
Strategic Engineering Partnerships: The event reinforced strategic partnerships
aimed at enhancing Africa’s engineering education, mobility of professionals, and technology transfer, as well as promoting regional centers of excellence for engineering training.
Key Statements from Industry Leaders:
Eng. Shammah Kiteme, IEK President, reaffirmed IEK’s commitment to driving
engineering education and professional growth, stating: “The ECBAP initiative is a
transformative step towards equipping engineers with cutting-edge skills needed for Africa’s economic transformation. Through partnerships with global institutions, we will create a knowledge-driven workforce to lead infrastructure development.”
Eng. Erastus Mwongera, EBK Chairman, emphasized the importance of global
accreditation, noting: “Kenya’s engineering education must align with international standards. We are actively working towards securing Washington Accord recognition, which will open doors for Kenyan engineers globally.”
Hon. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, reiterated the government’s commitment to engineering excellence, stating: “Africa cannot afford to lag in industrialization and infrastructure growth. ECBAP will bridge the engineering skills gap and ensure that our engineers lead the continent’s transformation.”
Way Forward:
The ECBAP launch sets the stage for a decade-long initiative to train, mentor, and empower African engineers, ensuring that Africa’s infrastructure development is led by its own professionals. The program also aligns with Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA implementation, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IEK, EBK, and WFEO extend their appreciation to CAST, UNESCO, FAEO, and all strategic partners for their dedication in making the ECBAP launch a success.
