KCB Champions Sustainable Finance to Green Kenya’s Education Sector at COP31

KCB has stepped up efforts to accelerate sustainable financing and climate action in Kenya’s education sector after hosting a high-level side event at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

The event brought together government leaders and key stakeholders to explore opportunities for strengthening partnerships in sustainable finance, climate action and investment, with a focus on supporting the transition to cleaner energy across learning institutions.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Finance, Climate Action and Investment in Kenya,” the engagement examined innovative financing solutions and collaborative approaches to accelerate the decarbonisation and greening of the education sector.

The session was led by KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, Mrs Annastacia Kimtai, and attended by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Hon. Dr Deborah Mlongo Barasa, and Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Eng. Festus Ng’eno.

Since 2022, KCB has rolled out a clean energy financing pilot valued at more than KSh2 billion, supporting 600 schools and 60 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The initiative has helped participating institutions lower energy costs, reduce reliance on biomass fuels and improve energy reliability, while promoting more sustainable learning environments.

Speaking during the event, Cabinet Secretary Hon. Dr Deborah Mlongo Barasa outlined the Government’s policy frameworks and commitment to achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2028.

She also highlighted the potential to expand the programme to 10,000 secondary schools, 250 TVET institutions and 42 universities, noting that the scale-up would require an estimated US$460 million in financing.

Participants further explored ways of mobilising additional capital through concessional financing, de-risking instruments and technical assistance to attract greater participation from development finance institutions and private investors.

Through its clean energy financing initiatives, KCB is positioning financial institutions as key partners in advancing Kenya’s climate commitments while supporting access to cleaner energy, protecting natural resources and creating healthier learning environments.

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