Sandra: Development cooperation is key to making the world bette

Since 1997, Agence Française de Development (AFD) has supported Kenya in financing low-carbon infrastructure, promoting access to essential services, particularly in urban areas, supporting public policies through the private sector and protecting the country's biodiversity.

In more recent years, AFD has diversified its portfolio with interventions in the education, energy, health sector, sports and development and the creative and cultural industries.

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Recently appointed Africa Director, Sandra Kassab, was in Kenya and the Star sat down with her to look at her personal journey, her plans and best way Kenya can implement sustainable projects for the communities. Kassab has nearly 20 years of experience in international development, project finance and institutional partnerships.

Within AFD, she has contributed to the design and supervision of large-scale infrastructure, energy and social projects across Africa and the Middle East. She served as deputy director of the Orient Department within AFD's Geographies Executive Directorate from August 2022, senior project manager at the Cairo office in Egypt, leading operations in the energy, health and social protection sectors between 2014 to 2018.

Who is Sandra, where was she born, brought up and career journey?

I was born in Bordeaux, France. Bordeaux is an emblematic region for gastronomy and wine in particular. My dad had travelled to Bordeaux to study medicine and pharmacy and that is where he my mother, who is from Périgueux, another wonderful city for French gastronomy. So I was really rooted and educated in this mixed culture. I have one sister. I studied international law at University of Paris, Sorbonne, and economy and international relations.

I was really willing to work in the field of international cooperation, human rights and then from meeting with people, discussions, travelling, I discovered the world of official development aid, development policies and found out it was a good opportunity for me to really reconcile my identity, my values and my skills. I had the opportunity first to work at the French Ministry of Finance in a team dedicated to the supervision of French contributions to multilateral donors and also stewardship of the French Development Agency.

Then I had the opportunity to work for African Development Bank, World Bank, before joining French Development Agency more or less 20 years ago, where I could work in the field in Central African Republic And then I joined the headquarter in different positions, starting with Africa. After Central African Republic, I was at the headquarter following activities that were portfolios in Senegal and Cape Verde. Then I moved to country offices in Egypt then Dominican Republic.

Three years ago, I went back to Paris to the headquarter for new responsibilities. So first, I was deputy head of our Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe department and then I had the opportunity to apply for the Africa department and I was appointed in January this year.

How many years did you work in Africa?

More or less, 10 years and I'm really glad to be back as Africa Director of the Agence Française de Développement.

What would you say are some of the biggest achievements working with the African countries?

What I think is amazing and really demonstrative is the fact that through the years, we have seen a huge transformation, improved access to services in some countries, to have the opportunity both to finance, for example, an energy or a water power plant, but also to work on master plans with governments and partners that have made an impact on the people.

What brings you to Kenya?

This visit gives me an opportunity to really have a look at our portfolio. About 30 years of cooperation with the country through various projects, more than 40, a huge amount of financing which has grown over the years and a lot of trust from our partners to work both on challenging public policies and really impactful and meaningful specific projects.

So as I mentioned, I started this new function in January so for me it is important to visit different regions and countries. Kenya is an emblematic one. We have an important portfolio of projects.

Again Nairobi will also host the France-Africa Summit in May 2026, so it is really relevant to come here, have the opportunity to see concretely what has been done, what can be shared during the summit and pursue this dialogue. The summit will be a continental event which is also an illustration of the really good bilateral cooperation between France and Kenya and Africa at large.

What is your strategy on supporting investments in Africa?

AFD group is 100 per cent climate aligned and aligned with the Paris Agreement, which we will celebrate 10 years this year. So, this is really within the core of the mandate of AFD, also inclusive, paying attention to access for people, to social impacts of the programmes and that people get benefits of the economic transformation and are not negatively impacted by climate, energy transition.

I am keen to see we address the different sustainable development goals, working also in the social sectors, education, job creation and employment. Youth are our top objective. We are also working on supporting entrepreneurship, promotion and development of MSMEs and vocational training.

Any specific projects tailored towards supporting Kenya’s target of Net Zero emissions by 2050?

Kenya is already championing green and renewable energy. AFD has been one of the major partners where over the past 20 years, more than 1 billion euros (Sh151.3 billion) has been financed by AFD on various projects from generation of renewable energy, geothermal, hydro, photovoltaic and as well as wind.

We have also worked with Ketraco on transmission. We have a big project on transmission, the RedNet project. We recently did ground breaking for the National System Control Centre in Embakasi and we are also working on the Last Mile Connectivity project, so we are definitely a partner of the Kenyan government.

Kenya can be proud on what has been achieved so far. Kenya is a champion in geothermal and we will be signing a grant agreement for technical assistance in the region, that is Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and the French Association of Geothermal to help each other on geothermal.

I mean, Kenya has become an African leader, and I would say even maybe one among the best in the world in deep geothermal projects and we are happy to partner in driving these projects.

What are some of the biggest challenges you foresee Kenya and other African countries facing in terms of implementing sustainable projects?

All the regions in the world, including Europe, are facing common challenges when we talk about climate change, macroeconomic outlook, value chain, international goals and international challenges.

Development cooperation is an opportunity to share them and to work together for solutions. There is the issue of mobilising resources, both international, private resources and also domestic ones. We have to learn a lot and we are also benefiting from observing solutions implemented in the countries where we work.

How do you ensure funds are not lost through corruption?

Of course, as a bank, we are regulated by the French banking regulation, which means a lot of control regarding anti-corruption rules, loyal customer rules and anti-bribery, which is really part of the DNA. This is useful for our stakeholders whom we support to improve internal regulation, procurement strategies and ensure controls in implementation of projects.

What is your take on debt financing, which way for Kenya?

I understand Kenya’s National Treasury is in talks with international partners on sustainable public finance management. We have been working with them on identifying new innovative tools to provide financing that would have less impact and ensure debt is sustainable.

We also work closely to ensure financing goes to the right projects that government has planned to implement. We are providing a lot more than just financing. We are an institution which is bringing concrete solutions, concrete impact to the people. We might not change the world, but if we have the opportunity to bring better access, better services, to be part of better quality of life for people, this is already something amazing.

What do you do to unwind after a busy day?

Good music, good food and good wine, I feel really happy.

One thing you don’t miss in your fridge?

Duck liver. This is something I always have with me, anywhere in any place of the world I live. So foie gras.

What is the best advice you have ever received in your life?

My dad told me that I always have to work a lot and I think it is a good advice to do your best, try to do the best of your potential.

Advice you would give the young generation?

You can dream of everything. Nothing is impossible but you have to work for that.