Sustainable Infrastructures

is to the world, what our veins are to our body

Can you remember the last time there was a power cut? For sure this would have been short-lived. But for almost 1 billion people around the word power outages occur regularly. Some communities don’t even have any electricity at all. This isn’t only an inconvenience, but can even lead to fatalities in some cases. For populations living in primitive villages, even medical care isn’t a given. Doctors often complain about vaccines going off, or life-support systems crashing. They sometimes have to treat patients in the dark by candlelight or cell phone lights. There’s no doubting the importance of reliable infrastructure for both utilities as well as transportation. Improvised workarounds forced by defective or completely missing infrastructures usually generate unnecessary costs and damage to the environment. Without a reliable source of domestic electricity, you need such alternatives as local solar-powered charging stations to charge your cell phone. At 25ct or more per charge, these costs quickly add up. This is actually several 100 times more expensive than electricity supplied from the grid, but what choice do these people have? The good news is that since 2006, a further 200 million people globally have been connected to a national grid. But at the same time, the increased energy consumption has meant more greenhouse gas emissions! We have to deal with this in a future-oriented and sustainable manner. One of plenty examples of the elementary importance of the reliable functionality of infrastructures, whether it’s electricity, water, transport routes, and other. The workarounds which are improvised due to defective or completely missing infrastructures usually generate unnecessary costs and extra harm to the environment. Without electricity at home, you have to pick an alternative to go for example to a local solar-powered charging station to charge your cell phone for 25ct or more and these costs quickly add up. This is actually several 100 times more expensive than electricity at home, but concerning better quality of life, access to services and the variety of opportunities offered by being connected through cellphones, give these people no choice. The good news: Since 2006, around 200 million more people have a power source at home. At the same time, the increased energy consumption means more released greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. We have to deal with this in a future-oriented and sustainable manner.

The Water Hyacinth

The world’s biggest problems may end up being the world’s best business opportunities. The water hyacinth is a fast-spreading weed that grows on the surface of lakes polluting water resources and choking up water routes. We’ve identified a potential in these little pests and are transforming this invasive, destructive plant into fuel to generate renewable electricity and organic fertilizer. This project also produces biogas, enough potable water for the local community, climate certificates to compensate climate change and a lot of jobs to drive the local economy. It’s a truly holistic, sustainable infrastructure that not only enhances the quality of living for the people in the region, but also delivers great economical returns for investors.

Endangered Ecosystems

Irresponsible agricultural practices coupled with a lack of regional cooperation, is causing great environmental damage to our lakes. Through over-fertilization and reckless disposal of untreated sewage, the ecological balance of water bodies, and the rivers that flow from them, is being severely impacted. The proliferation of water weeds is a good indication of such degradation. If the spread of water hyacinths is left unchecked, the subsequent damage to both the environment and the economy of the region will be enormous.

Loss of jobs
Hindrance to shipping and trade
Food insecurity
Choking of hydro power plants inlets
Habitat for parasitic diseases
Decreasing fish population
Nesting sites for insects
Poor water quality

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We turn waste into a valuable resource

Ventures

Homa Bay Biogas

Different to other sustainable energy facilities, like solar or wind power plants, this biogas-based power plant generates baseload energy. It doesn’t rely on storing surplus power through facilities like large power banks, which are harmful to the environment. Clean energy can be accessed on demand and is available 24/7. The nature of this system makes it possible to implement it globally.

Lake Victoria at Homa Bay

The problems caused by water hyacinths are well illustrated by the situation at Lake Victoria. It’s the second largest freshwater lake in the world and the largest one in Africa. It is the defining element of economic and socio-economic systems, and influences living conditions and prosperity both locally and regionally, and across borders. It also has a significant effect on East Africa’s climate. The problems caused by water hyacinths are well illustrated by the situation at Lake Victoria. It’s the second largest freshwater lake in the world and the largest one in Africa. It is the defining element of economic and socio-economic systems, and influences living conditions and prosperity both locally and regionally, and across borders. It also has a significant effect on East Africa’s climate. Any change that affects the lake and therefore water resources, has direct effects on the 3 countries bordering its shores: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and the neighbouring countries Burundi and Rwanda. Through the White Nile which emerges from the lake, the countries downstream, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt, are also impacted. In essence, this means the collapse of whole ecosystems, which go far beyond national borders, should the water management of Lake Victoria break down irreparably.

Impact

35,000 kW power
300,000,000 kWh p.a.
1,600,000 households

340,000t p.A.
1,300,000 smallholder

72,000,000 liters
40,000 people per day

4100 liquid CO₂, p. a.
540,000,000 liters soda

900,000t CO₂ a year
like 72M trees or 390,000 cars

1,350 direct jobs
3,000 indirect jobs

10,000 ha
coast area

300,000,000 USD
very aspiring project

Ecological & Social Benefits along with SDGs

In September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations members at the summit in New York. There they defined seventeen Social Development Goals (SDGs) which – for developed and developing countries – impose principle of sustainability to economic, ecological and social development projects. The goals apply to all communities, countries and companies with international business operations. For the first time, reduction of poverty and sustainable development are being supported by the international community. All Kabena projects comply with each one of the 17 SDGs.

                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      

Primary Materials

We love helium.

Helium

This noble gas has various technological applications making it an essential commodity. The gas is completely environmentally friendly. It doesn’t react chemically with other substances, and is non-flammable. It’s used as a coolant in scientific research work, in health care, transportation, electronic component production, and loads more besides.

A Life Choice

Would you rather give your child a balloon or MRI scan?

Would you rather get your child a balloon or MRI scan? Thanks to its unique properties, helium isn’t only used in party balloons. It has a wide range applications ranging from transport and aviation, to mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, from medical healthcare and scientific research, to space travel just to name a few. Helium will play a big role in the technologies in the future.

Helium Applications

Metal Working
In welding helium is used either in pure form or as an admixture to protect the seam from oxidizing. In addition, helium can increase burn-in depth as well as welding speed and reduce the formation of spatter, especially when carrying out robotic welding procedures and when welding aluminum and stainless steels.
Aeronautics
Helium is a preferred over hydrogen as a carrier gas for balloons and airships. This is because of its very low density compared to air. Also due its inert properties, it doesn’t burn and is safe to use. Due to its high rate of diffusion, the leak tightness of the casing is greater than of all other gases.
Space Travel
In gaseous form helium is used in rocket technology to replace spent fuel in liquid fuel rockets so that the thin-walled fuel tanks of the rockets do not implode when the fuel is sucked from the tanks by the engines fuel pumps. In compressed-gas-propelled liquid fuel rockets, helium pushes the fuel into the engines. It’s used here because of its low weight and low boiling point.
Scientific Research
Technically, liquified helium is used as a coolant to reach very low temperatures, for example to keep a superconductor below its critical temperature. Practical applications include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for medical applications.
Fiber Optics
Helium is used as a cooling agent in the manufacture of fiber optics. An all-helium environment is needed to prevent air bubbles from getting trapped in the fibers. These bubbles would cause the delicate fibers to crack and render them useless.
Electronics
Thanks to its high viscosity — it diffuses through solids three times faster than air — helium is used to detect leaks in high-vacuum equipment like processors (CPUs) and other elemental electronic components.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computers such as the "IBM System Q One" are cooled using liquid helium. Processors (CPU) and supraconducting microchips (electrical circuits) must be kept cool for optimal performance.
Health Care
MRI devices with its giant magnets can only provide the currently best scan of a human body being cooled down with liquid helium.
Purging
Helium is used as a purge gas to prevent the formation of flammable gas mixtures. Purging refers to the introduction of an inert (i.e. non-flammable) purge gas into a closed system, in fire and explosion prevention technology. It relies on the principle that a gas can only explode if mixed in the right proportions of with air.
Diving
In professional diving, various mixtures are used as respiratory gas to avoid decompression sickness and for better oxygen absorption.
Driving Safety
About 80% of car airbags contain a helium and argon gas mixture. Low-temperature gas generators, which are filled with the highly compressed noble gas mixture, ensure rapid inflation of airbags in just a few milliseconds. This mixture does not generate heat during the inflation process.
Helium Application 12

Ventures

Hogback Field

Hogback Resources GmbH was founded by our partners and us to develop the Hogback helium field in New Mexico, US. We’re uniquely positioned to unlock significant value by utilising the company’s expertise in helium extraction and field development.

The Hogback fields are situated in one of the world’s top helium reserves. Current estimates of helium content in the natural gas mix range from 3% to 6%. If we compare that to an industry average of 0.5% – 1% we see the great potential these fields offer. Market demand for helium, with its unique properties, has been constant over the decades. However, a lack of reliable helium sources has pushed up prices for years to come. Hogback Fields will ensure a reliable supply, and capitalize on it.

Kabena is going to expand it‘s helium investments.

Kabena has been involved in every aspect of helium research, production and investments over the past 7 years. Our prediction we've been making over that period have all proved correct. Looking into the next five years, we fervently believe in it's continued importance. Due to this we're looking for further helium investment opportunities to strenghten our helium portfolio.

Real Estate Strategies

Smart ways of capitalizing on real estate.

The secret behind the value of real estate.

Current real estate prices aren't high because they have been driven up by irresponsible speculation. As was often the case in the past. Prices have risen because a constantly increasing population with money to invest has been created - and continues to be created. — J.P. Getty

Future Way of Real Estates

Ventures

WeCan

We love Canada.

Our relationship with real estates in Canada has a long history. We ran the European business of North America largest land developer for 10 years.

Now it's time for a reawakening. Indeed we've been working on it since two years now, forming an top-tier global team from Canada to Europe and Asia. Creating residential value add under replacement cost. West Canada is the place to build up a rental housing portfolio together with Canadas top real estate guy. What he's done in the past 20 years can't be copied just with money.

You have to be in the family. Be a part.

Event Driven Lending

We became aware last year that difficult days were to come for the property market.

Having seen the first signs of the challenges ahead, we decided it was time to expand our private debt strategy with an additional event driven lending approach. The way to do that is to buy property at the lowest price possible, to master the risks, develop it, and sell it at remarkebly high prices.

For sure we weren't able to foresee COVID-19 last year, but this is one example how opportunities are created.

Private Debt

Kabena's strategies in the real estate private debt market have been proven over the past few years.

It's all about working with top-notch partners. We hate risk. The trick is to find the best collateral with a double-digit returns. Beyond that, we intend to make money at every stage of the real estate cycle.

Philanthropy

Art Meets Charity

Art-Meets-Charity is about raising money through art mediums like photography, paintings, and picture books. Currently we’re working on a project to help children in need. In cooperation with SOS Children Village (SOS-Kinderdorf) in Windhoek, Namibia, we’ve created a coffee-table book comprising photographs taken at the SOS village there, and bound in a modern style. Kabena funded the developing and printing of this book in September 2018. Proceeds go to the SOS-Kinderdorf registered charity.

Buy books

Namibia

There are many projects around the world that help children in need— but unfortunately, not enough is being done! Art-Meets-Charity shows that people can achieve anything if they work together. Interestingly enough, a lot of people want to be part of something like this, but are just looking for the right connections. Also, the help needed is sometimes so very far away. This is where we come in.

This project helps to bridge the geographical and emotional gap by depicting the children’s lives in a picture-book format. The Art-Meets-Charity initiative originated from an idea form by a married couple, the Nagys, and was put into action with help of many other people, including SOS-Kinderdorf.