KEPSA led by the Vice Chairperson Ms Brenda Mbathi; the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry; and the Global P4G led by the Executive Director Ms Robyn McGuckin, launched the second phase of P4G, for the Kenya National Platform on 5^th September 2023 at the KICC, Nairobi. The launch was held on the auspices of the inaugural African Climate Summit (ACS) side event themed ‘Accelerating Green Business Models for the Green Transition through Public Private Partnerships’. The event was graced by South Korean Deputy Minister and Ambassador for Climate Change Ms Jenny Kim.

P4G is a global initiative hosted in 12 countries globally for catalysing partnerships and market-based solutions for green growth and climate change. The Kenya National P4G is co-chaired by KEPSA and the National Treasury and Economic Planning. Since the year 2018, the Kenya National P4G, Platform has nurtured over 24 Public-Private partnerships for green and climate market-based solutions in food, water, energy, e-mobility and the circular economy.    

The first phase of P4G covered the years 2018 – 2022 and the second phase began in July 2023. Through P4G, partnerships have converged around six emerging themes: Food Loss and Waste, Innovative Financing and Business Models Enabled by the Internet of Things and The Fourth Industrial Revolution, New Plastics Market, Renewable Energy Finance, Sustainable Infrastructure and Zero Emission Transit. P4G bridges the gap between development and investment agendas, turning ideas and commitments into concrete, inclusive and transformation solutions on the ground that mobilize investments from the private sector to deliver impact.

The  ACS side event aimed to showcase opportunity P4G presents to nurture and catalyse market-based solutions for green growth in developing countries; share successes of Public-Private partnerships in effecting the transition to green growth in Kenya; demonstrate opportunities presented for leveraging National Platforms to strengthen Government Private Sector collaboration for green growth; showcase role of Enabling Environment and Government leadership in assuring transition to green growth; and present significance of North-South collaboration to support the accelerated realisation of green growth.

Ms. Robyn McGuckin, The Global P4G Director highlighted that P4G was working together to build businesses while focusing on three key areas including enabling climate-prone businesses to become investments ready; enabling businesses to grow and succeed in line with the green economy, and working in partnerships with green businesses to make something bigger. Ms McGuckin added that the organization was focused on making necessary connections for businesses by being a bridge that ferry them to the next investment level that they need to continue on their growth trajectory.

In her remarks, Ms Mbathi noted that KEPSA members are the anchor of P4G while highlighting that the plastics economy partnership has led to the implementation of SDG no.12, circular economy recycling PET bottles which have increased domestic recycling rates. “As the Kenya National P4G, platform we have seen tremendous transformation scaling up the green growth agenda both at the policy front and the market front in Kenya,” said Ms Mbathi. She also noted that by integrating SMEs in the new plastics economy, KEPSA facilitated the amplification of the role of SMEs in the green transition. “Due to their agility; ability to innovate; and strong ties to local communities, SMEs are powerful agents of change in promoting sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and contributing to the overall transition towards green growth,” She added. She also noted the importance of channelling financial support to green start-ups which would provide an opportunity for SMEs to contribute to economic growth, job creation and innovation.

Ms. Jenny Kim- the Deputy Minister and Ambassador for Climate Change and Forestry, in South Korea- highlighted the value of P4G to Korea including hosting the 2nd Global P4G held in Korea in 2020 where Korea adopted the whole of government and society approach in organizing the summit. All Korean companies supported in organizing events, and pushed the government t to take stronger action against climate change.    and development of a green transition roadmap. Through P4G, Korea has undertaken foreign direct investment for catalyzing   SMES green transition, an example being the solar cow initiative in Kenya.

While reflecting on the adoption of the P4G platform in Kenya, the Kenya National P4G, Private Sector Focal Point Ms Faith Ngige, reiterated that the inaugural Africa Climate Summit hosted by Kenya and the Africa Union (AU), where for the first time, both climate change and green growth are discussed in the same forum,  is a testament of the value of P4G in influencing the green transition. “We have managed to take the green growth discussion, from the board room - to the market place thereby amplifying the role of market-based solutions for green growth and green transitions.”

The Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Forestry,  Kenya National P4G, Focal Point, Mr. Augustine Kenduiwo, while sharing the value of P4G to Kenya indicated that since the adoption of the platform,  there has been an accelerated adoption of the green agenda as guided by the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP), the finalization of the Sustainable Waste Management Policy 2021, Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 and the enhanced dialogue between the public and private sector in the identification of systemic issues underlying the green and circular transition. Kenya has made bold steps in adopting the road map to a green economy through this platform.

The P4G platform enabled the approval of the Kenya School of Government to undertake Green and Circular Economy training and capacity-building programs supported with expertise drawn from the DANIDA alumni and to offer localized training on green growth and circular economy. This will enhance access and empower both policymakers and the private sector to increase their knowledge of green growth and ensure all sectors transition to green pathways.

Going forward, Dr. Julius Muia, the Founding Alternate Board Member of Kenya National P4G Platform, emphasized the importance of incorporating academia in the platform to support research and development; enhance local content in the partnerships and increase support of market-based solutions for green and circular economy in Africa.