As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, African nations like Kenya find themselves on the front lines of a battle for survival.
Climate hazards—ranging from extreme droughts to catastrophic floods and landslides—are not only devastating communities but also reversing years of hard-won economic progress.
Across the continent, key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and health are destabilized, In Kenya the impact is particularly severe, with climate-induced disasters becoming a grim reality that threatens the livelihoods of millions and the stability of entire regions.
At the Second Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa, hosted by The European House – Ambrosetti, Kenya took center stage as Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, affirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to combating the climate crisis.
Speaking alongside over 150 CEOs, economists, and influential global figures, Duale highlighted Kenya’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build a resilient future.
Duale stressed the urgency of the climate threat, particularly for African nations like Kenya.
“Climate hazards, including extreme droughts, floods, and landslides, are devastating communities across the continent, reversing economic progress, and destabilizing key sectors.Recent weather events have caused significant damage: the 2022-2023 drought alone led to losses exceeding USD 650 million, while the 2024 floods caused damage valued at over USD 783 million,”He said.
Despite contributing less than 0.1% of global emissions, Kenya has set an ambitious goal to reduce emissions by 32% by 2030. “We will cut emissions by 46 million tons of CO2 by 2030,” Duale asserted, reflecting Kenya’s determination to be a leader in climate action.
Kenya’s strategy for achieving this goal is rooted in a robust framework of policies, including the Constitution of Kenya, the Kenya Vision 2030, the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2023-2027), and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
“The implementation cost of the NDC by 2030 is estimated at USD 62 billion, with Kenya committed to mobilizing USD 8.2 billion domestically. However, international financial support is essential to bridge the USD 54 billion funding gap, a crucial factor in realizing Kenya’s climate goals”,The CS revealed.
Duale outlined that Kenya’s climate actions include USD 17.7 billion for mitigation and USD 44 billion for adaptation by 2030.
These investments, Duale noted, are vital for building a climate-resilient nation that can withstand future environmental shocks.Kenya’s recent drought response is a testament to the power of collaboration in climate crisis management.
Over KES 70 billion was mobilized for drought interventions, with the government contributing KSh. 22 billion and non-state actors providing KSh. 48 billion.
“The National Drought Emergency Fund also played a critical role, offering immediate relief to affected communities.In addition to drought response, Kenya is prioritizing flood resilience, expanding its flood early warning systems through the Kenya Meteorology Department, and supporting vulnerable households through the National Drought Management Authority,”Duale noted.
As a direct response to the agricultural sector’s vulnerability, nearly 400,000 farmers now have access to climate-focused crop insurance, with over 90,000 cattle insured by the end of 2022.
As the summit progressed, Pietro Francesco Mininni, Chief Executive Officer of Ambrosetti and Africa chapter,highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.
He emphasized that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for 50% of Africa’s GDP, are key to addressing the continent’s climate challenges.
Mininni further noted that in the last 20 years, African stock exchanges have seen a 500% increase in combined market capitalization, signaling growing investor confidence.
The private sector’s involvement in climate action is paramount, Mininni explained, calling for increased investments in African climate start-ups and the need for SMEs to drive Africa’s industrial transformation. “African SMEs will become global leaders in their sectors, providing solutions for climate change,” he stated.
However, he stressed that the growth of Africa should not come at the expense of these enterprises.
A balanced partnership between the public and private sectors is necessary to harness Africa’s potential.
Looking ahead, Mininni outlined the necessity of mobilizing between USD 30 to 50 billion annually to tackle climate change in Africa.
He echoed the sentiment that international corporations, particularly European firms, remain committed to addressing climate challenges in Africa, despite global political shifts.
