UK-Kenya Collaboration Accelerates Progress Towards COP28 Climate Goals

UK-Kenya Collaboration Accelerates Progress Towards COP28 Climate Goals

The UK and Kenya have made significant progress on COP27 projects, investing in green initiatives and infrastructure. BII’s investments support sustainable agriculture and transportation. The UK-Kenya partnership exemplifies their shared vision for a sustainable future.

  • COP27 Achievements: Flagship climate projects initiated between the UK and Kenya during COP27 have achieved significant milestones, progressing towards their goals before COP28.
  • Designing President Ruto’s Initiative: The UK has played a crucial role in designing President Ruto’s Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), aiming to create jobs, foster economic growth, and boost trade.
  • Key Projects Progress:
    • The KES 12.5 billion Menengai Geothermal project, generating 35MW of electricity, is proceeding to financial close, providing clean energy to 750,000 Kenyans.
    • A KES 31 billion agreement with the Kenyan Development Corporation and UK-funded United Green focuses on climate-smart farming, saving Kenya $200 million annually on food imports.
  • UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership: These projects are part of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership, totaling over KES 500 billion of investment, with a focus on mutual benefits and avoiding unsustainable debt.
  • New Investments by British International Investment:
    • KES 1 billion ($7.1 million) for solar-powered irrigation benefiting 9,000 farmers, enhancing resilience to climate change, and reducing upfront costs through a carbon credit facility.
    • KES 765 million ($5 million) for manufacturing 100 electric buses in Kenya, addressing the demand for clean public transport and mitigating 5,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
  • The announcement by British High Commissioner: Neil Wigan, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, emphasised the strength of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership and its positive impact on growth, jobs, and trade in a sustainable manner.
  • Ruto/Sunak COP27 Deals Highlights:
    • Menengai Geothermal: KES 12.5 billion investment, construction began in June 2023, aiming for affordable baseload renewable power.
    • Nairobi Railway City: KES 11.5 billion investment, construction began in December 2022, focusing on green urban regeneration around a new railway station.
    • Malindi Solar Expansion: KES 7.5 billion investment, a 40 MW solar plant connected to the grid in December 2021, with plans for expansion.
    • Grand High Falls Dam: KES 425 billion investment, a Public Private Partnership on the Tana River generating 1,000MW of hydroelectric energy and irrigation for farmland.
    • United Green: KES 31 billion investment, a climate-smart crop and agro-industrial processing system creating jobs and income for farmers.
    • Guarantees: Collaboration to launch a guarantee company, committing KES 2 billion to de-risk investments and unlock private finance for Kenyan infrastructure.
  • BII Investments Highlights:
    • Solar Irrigation: KES 398 million ($2.6 million) carbon credit pilot investment into SunCulture, providing solar-powered irrigation systems to smallholder farmers.
    • Electric Buses: KES 765 million ($5 million) investment for BasiGo Ltd., scaling local assembly and establishing a green hub for modern electric buses in Kenya.
  • About British International Investment: British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution investing to create sustainable economies in eligible markets, with a commitment to climate finance between 2022 and 2026.

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