By Obiabin Onukwugha
Kenya is exploring a proposed $16 million financing package from the World Bank to support biodiversity conservation, circular economy investments and sustainable waste management under the proposed INSPIRE/GBFF Project.
This followed a meeting between the World Bank and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Eng. Festus Ng’eno, on Thursday.
The meeting brought together the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) and the World Bank, with a focus on developing practical investments that can turn waste into economic value while protecting ecosystems.
The meeting, chaired by Engr .Ng’eno, examined opportunities in recycling, waste recovery, composting, biogas, waste-to-energy and other waste-to-value initiatives.
The partners also identified waste segregation at source and the development of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) as key areas for investment, alongside stronger partnerships with county governments and the private sector.
Nature-based solutions and restoration enterprises also featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting efforts to link environmental conservation with economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.
The stakeholders agreed to accelerate preparation of the proposed project and work towards developing a broader circular economy and sustainable waste management investment agenda for Kenya.
Environment and Climate Change, on a post on its X social media platform said initiative is expected to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to manage waste sustainably while creating opportunities for private-sector investment and supporting biodiversity restoration.
