KCB Bank Kenya and IFC have signed a partnership that will help grow climate finance in Kenya by increasing support for businesses addressing climate change.
IFC will extend a Ksh. 18 billion ($150 million) loan to KCB Bank Kenya to fund the growth of the bank’s climate finance portfolio. The specific focus of the loan is financing the development of energy efficiency projects, renewable energy, climate smart projects, and green buildings. Through the partnership, IFC will support the bank to develop a climate finance strategy and build its capacity for climate risk assessment and reporting.
“We continue to play our role in climate mitigation and adaptation in Kenya in the realization that business is no longer just about profits but ensuring that we also take care of our environment, ensuring sustenance of the current and future generations,” said KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo. “KCB is stepping in to help businesses curtail the adverse impacts of climate change, thus boosting economic growth, food security, and job creation in Kenya and building resilience.”
Kenya has committed to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by 32% through integrating climate change adaptation into national and county level development planning by 2030. Kenya is vulnerable to climate change and the latest World Bank Kenya Economic Update estimates that up to five million people need food assistance due to drought and rising food insecurity.
“Recurring natural disasters like droughts and floods have impacted the livelihoods of Kenyans and the country’s economic development. The private sector can play a significant role by mobilizing financial resources to help finance the country’s green transition,” said Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Kenya. “Our partnership with KCB Bank Kenya will increase access to climate finance in the country and enable the development of more green projects that support Kenya to respond to the effects of climate change and shift to a greener development model.”
A 2019 IFC report estimated that Nairobi has an $8.5 billion climate investment opportunity for the period 2018 to 2030, $5 billion of which lies in electric vehicles and the rest in public transport, green buildings, water, renewable energy, and waste. The loan to KCB is part of IFC’s growing work in Kenya to increase the amount of climate financing available.