Africa: Unido, Kenya Climate Ventures Move to Unlock Private Capital for Africa's Climate Adaptation

What the report says

UNIDO and Kenya Climate Ventures have announced a partnership designed to attract more domestic and international capital into climate adaptation and resilience businesses across sub-Saharan Africa. According to Capital FM’s report distributed by AllAfrica, the two organisations signed a Joint Declaration at the Adaptation Investment Summit for Africa 2026 in Nairobi, where they set out a framework for supporting climate-smart enterprises, especially early- and growth-stage firms that often struggle to secure financing.

The collaboration combines UNIDO’s experience in market development, climate adaptation and climate-resilient transformation of the coffee sector with KCV’s background in enterprise development and early-stage climate finance. The partners said they will use their networks, investment tools and links to climate finance providers to mobilise capital for sustainable and inclusive investments. They also plan to improve investment frameworks, impact measurement, market intelligence and dedicated finance initiatives.

A key element of the effort is the use of UNIDO’s Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment tool to guide financing decisions. The partnership also builds on existing work such as the Kenya Uganda Adaptation Accelerator and the ACT programme focused on climate-resilient coffee value chains, while opening the door to new initiatives. The report says the broader goal is to turn adaptation needs into investable opportunities and strengthen pathways for businesses and communities to access climate finance across the region.