The Face of Truth: Khartoum, Nairobi, Willpower Creates Beauty
Ibrahim Shglawi
During my recent visit to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as part of a delegation participating in a special workshop on the Eastern Nile Basin, the trip provided an opportunity for reflection and comparison between two realities: one that is undergoing transformation and investing in development and stability, and the other that remains stagnant due to conspiracies, conflicts, and the lack of vision.
Nairobi appears as a living model of modern planning mentality, which has managed to integrate urban beauty, smart solutions, and efficient infrastructure. The city, which was originally a train station in 1899, has become one of the fastest-growing African capitals, both in terms of urbanization, economy, and beauty.
What is intriguing about the Kenyan experience is the adoption of a smart financing model for infrastructure projects, which allows for the implementation of large projects without directly burdening the state with financial costs, through the Transformational Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system.
This mechanism relies on a partnership between the private sector and the government, enabling the execution of major infrastructure projects without the state directly bearing the costs. A private investor finances and constructs the project, then operates it for an agreed-upon period, recouping their investment through fees or operational revenues, before the full ownership of the project returns to the state.
This system is an intelligent way to stimulate investment, reduce pressure on the public budget, and ensure the quality and sustainability of services provided.
This was clearly reflected in the roads and suspension bridges in Nairobi, which effectively addressed the issue of traffic congestion. The citizen is given two options: use the public road for free, or pay to use the advanced infrastructure for time-saving and comfort. This system not only signifies efficiency, but also reflects respect for freedom of choice and a direct link between service and its value.
During our tour, it was impossible to ignore the towering skyscrapers, modern markets, and recreational areas, which are witnessing a clear influx of foreign and local capital. The central question that forced itself was: how did Kenya, a sister country in geography and history, succeed in attracting investment and utilizing it so skillfully?
The answer lies in vision, planning, and adherence to the rule of law. These three elements form the foundation for any urban and economic renaissance. The laws there are respected, not violated by favoritism, the vision is clear, looking ahead, and the execution plans are realistic with precise timelines.
In contrast, we find Khartoum, our national capital, in a state of urban decay, despite its enormous natural and human resources. The meeting of the two Nile waters, the Blue and the White, forms a magnificent aesthetic scene that could have been crafted into an urban masterpiece, placing Khartoum among the world’s capitals. However, the lack of vision and planning, and the ease of chaos, have stalled this dream for many years.
Perhaps what still gives us a glimmer of hope is the ongoing discussion within decision-making circles about creating a new capital. The Ibrahim Jaber team committee has already begun to signal this idea, but we are still waiting for these statements to transform into plans and architectural designs that touch the imagination and stir hope. Capitals are not built solely by political will, but through creativity, intelligent management, and effective partnerships.
In this context, the joint ministerial meeting between Sudan and Russia is currently taking place in Moscow, chaired by Sudan’s Minister of Minerals and Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, with the participation of representatives from both countries’ ministries and economic sectors.
Despite the technical nature of the meeting, it forms a real test of Sudan’s ability to return to the international partnership table as a partner offering attractive projects in areas such as reconstruction, infrastructure, and mining. This opportunity could also be turned into a gateway to attract quality investments through smart financing models, similar to those successfully adopted by Nairobi in its urban renaissance.
If the new capital is to be a turning point, it cannot be separated from a flexible foreign policy based on national interests and utilizing Sudan’s international relations to serve a genuine developmental project, according to modern methods.
The world today is full of mobile capital looking for stable environments, clear vision, and reliable partnership models. If Sudan truly wants to build a new capital, it must create a specialized body to attract investments, presenting investors with ready projects with innovative designs and offering them incentives to encourage long-term partnerships.
What Sudan needs at this stage is a new central mind to manage the state. The capital is a reflection of the spirit of the political system, administrative efficiency, and decision-making integrity. It is the mirror in which the image of the state is reflected, both to its citizens and the world. Nairobi, despite the challenges it faces, has presented a model that proves urban transformation is not a miracle, but rather the result of clear political will, a disciplined institutional mindset, and smart partnerships with the private sector.
What we anticipate today, according to #TheFaceOfTruth, is not merely a transition, but an opportunity to redefine Khartoum as a center for governance, smart planning, and an active regional role. If we want a new capital, we must first begin by building a state of law, efficiency, and transparency. Only then will the capital, wherever it may be located, be a true reflection of a people who still believe in the future and deserve a capital they can be proud of.
Stay well and safe.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com