The Board of Directors of the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung fur die Freiheit unanimously nominated Mr. James Shikwati, the Founder Director of the Inter Region Economic Network (IREN Kenya) to receive the “Walter-Scheel-Prize 2015 for Commitment to Development Cooperation.” The citation focuses on his work over the years on Foreign Aid debate; need for Africa to foster individual initiative in development matters; the push for competitiveness-expanded entrepreneurship opportunities to tap into the continent’s vast resources and the importance of investments in African people to promote freedom and economic success. The award ceremony took place on September 8, 2015 at the Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn, Germany. Mr. Shikwati shared the Walter-Scheel-Prize-2015 with a leading German Physicist Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber from Freiburg University.

Mr. James Shikwati, delivering his acceptance speech

L-R: Markus Loning,  Manfred Vohrer, James Shikwati, Eike Weber,  Karl-Heinz Paque

Bishop Dr. Timothy Wambunya, in Bonn to witness award to Mr. Shikwati

Mr. Shikwati in conversation with fellow Walter-Scheel-Prize 2015 Laureate Prof. Eike Weber, Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE)

Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn, Germany.