
Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu
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Kenya and Austria are forging a promising economic partnership underscored by a crucial event hosted by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) in Vienna to commemorate Africa Day.
During her speech, Kenya's Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs Ms Roseline Njogu stressed the significance of establishing a long-term economic relationship that mutually benefits both nations. Ms Njogu identifies the digital economy as a vital sector for generating job opportunities for Africa’s youthful and skilled workforce.
She expresses gratitude towards WKO President Mr. Harald Mahrer and the Austrian Economic Chamber for facilitating a platform conducive to business networking between Austrian enterprises and African governments. The theme of this year’s Africa Day event, “Business in Africa is a marathon, not a sprint,” reflects the understanding that effective partnerships require sustained commitment, trust, and mutual appreciation.
Ms. Njogu emphasizes the need for persistent efforts to foster relationships that create equitable advantages for both Austria and Africa, particularly through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently executed between the two nations. The MoU, signed in September 2024, aims to enhance cooperation in mobility and migration, addressing labour shortages in Austria, specifically within the healthcare, information technology, engineering, and hospitality sectors.
The Kenyan government views its young professionals as pivotal in addressing these workforce gaps. With millions of young people entering the labour market each year, there is a concerted effort to ensure they develop the requisite skills to thrive in a global economy. Highlighting the partnership with Austria, Ms Njogu indicates that the initiative seeks to align the skills of Kenya's youth with the labour market demands of Austria, thereby securing meaningful employment opportunities that benefit both economies.
This strategic alignment dovetails with Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which aims to empower citizens through skills development and international employment pathways. Moreover, the Kenyan government has launched a Global Labour Market Strategy to facilitate the safe and structured migration of skilled labour to international markets. The event emphasizes the importance of fostering interpersonal connections and highlights the expanding role of the digital economy in shaping future employment prospects.
Kenya has emerged as a leader in digital innovation in Africa and is positioned to drive the expansion of remote work, a prominent factor in global economic integration. Established in 1839, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) represents over 540,000 Austrian businesses across diverse sectors. It operates through nine State Chambers and 110 Trade Associations, fostering international connections for Austrian businesses through its Aussenwirtschaft Austria department, which boasts more than 100 offices worldwide offering networking opportunities and trade partnerships.