Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has concluded a signing agreement to make Cape Town and Nairobi sister cities, with a shared mission to be the ‘undisputed economic hubs’ of their respective regions.
The ceremony took place in Nairobi on Tuesday, 23 May, with Governor of Nairobi City County Johnson Sakaja in attendance.
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Mayor Hill-Lewis was adamant that the first city-to-city cooperation agreement signed in this administration should be with an African city, and Nairobi was the obvious choice.
Cape Town and Nairobi are cities of roughly the same size in terms of population, and both expanding due to rapid urbanisation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hill-Lewis said the cities are on similar trajectories with similar missions to be ‘the undisputed economic and innovation hubs of our respective regions’.
‘It was important to me that our first city-to-city cooperation agreement in this administration is with an African city, and Nairobi is the obvious choice. It is clear that we are both on a mission to become even more globally competitive and to stand out as the most attractive and convenient places to do business in our regions.’
‘Both our regions are tourism giants on the African continent, and both our cities are considered gateways to our countries’ many attractions. Nairobi and Cape Town attract a very wide range of visitors throughout the year, both cities have vibrant and well-serviced film industries and our people are all a little sport-obsessed.’
‘Against this backdrop of similarities and shared vision, the opportunities to exchange knowledge are immense. As are the opportunities to expand on the commercial links that already exist between our cities,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
Many Cape Town companies have a footprint in Nairobi, and vice versa, with a range of products exported in both directions.
Kenya Airways also already operates daily flights to and from Cape Town, adding to the strong foundation for a sister-cities partnership.
Other knowledge-sharing and partnership opportunities include infrastructure provision, affordable housing delivery and clean energy.
Hill-Lewis added that it was refreshing to meet a counterpart from his own generation taking charge of a leading African city. Governor Sakaja is 38 and Hill-Lewis is 36.
Hill-Lewis said he hoped the agreement would be the start of a close bond’ that would see both cities prosper.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook