Kenya has renewed its commitment to green growth by deepening collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on major sustainability projects, including the Sh26.8 billion Green Hydrogen Project and carbon market development under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The partnership aims to boost Kenya’s edge in clean energy, e-mobility, and circular economy initiatives while enhancing the country’s resilience to climate change.
The agreement emerged from a high-level meeting between Principal Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Festus K. Ng’eno, and GGGI Director-General Sang-Hyup Kim. Speaking on behalf of the Kenyan government, PS Ng’eno described the talks as a key step toward stronger cooperation.
“Kenya values this engagement as the beginning of what we anticipate will be a strong and strategic partnership in advancing our shared vision for sustainable and inclusive green growth,” Ng’eno said.
A central focus of the discussions was the Green Hydrogen Project, backed by the Korea Green New Deal Fund (KGNDF), which seeks to mobilize Sh26.8 billion to implement Kenya’s hydrogen roadmap.
The meeting also reviewed progress on Carbon Projects Phases I and II, aimed at preparing Kenya to fully participate in global carbon markets as outlined under the Paris Agreement.
Kenya recently joined GGGI as its 50th member state, underscoring the country’s commitment to a low-carbon, climate-resilient development path. According to the 2022 Green Growth Index, Kenya scored 47.95, demonstrating steady progress toward national sustainability goals.
PS Ng’eno highlighted efforts to strengthen GGGI’s presence in the country by establishing liaison offices within the National Treasury and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. He also confirmed that steps have been taken to finalize a Host Country Agreement (HCA) to formalize the organization’s operations in Kenya.
The partnership extends to other key projects, including the E-Mobility initiative (BRT Line 5) aimed at reducing urban transport emissions, and the Global Plastics Action Partnership (GPAP), which supports circular economy solutions. Both parties agreed to broaden cooperation in green hydrogen, e-mobility, carbon markets, and plastic waste reduction, positioning Kenya as a regional leader in sustainable and inclusive growth.
“This partnership marks a new chapter in Kenya’s green transformation journey,” Ng’eno said, stressing the government’s commitment to harness clean technologies for economic growth and climate resilience.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which frames the carbon market cooperation, allows countries to work together voluntarily to meet their climate targets while accessing financial support. Its implementation, however, requires careful accounting to prevent double counting of emissions reductions.
