Kenya is positioned as a major beneficiary of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a global initiative jointly led by the United Arab Emirates and the United States, which is injecting $17 billion into projects aimed at helping farmers adapt to climate change.
The increased investment, announced at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, signifies a significant scaling up of efforts to promote climate-friendly farming practices around the world.
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Kenya’s Share in the Investment
The AIM for Climate initiative is channeling $350.4 million (Sh54.2 billion) into various projects in Kenya. This substantial investment is earmarked for initiatives such as feedstock for renewable diesel, enrolling four million acres of regenerative agriculture by 2025, broad investments in fermentation technology powering new plant-based products, and support for the Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers (LEAF) Program in Kenya.
Originally launched as an $8 billion initiative during COP26 in the UK, AIM for Climate’s investment was doubled to $17 billion last week, reflecting increased support from over 600 government and non-government partners. This remarkable commitment to climate-friendly agriculture demonstrates a global collaboration to address the challenges posed by climate change and build a more sustainable and resilient world.
Strategic Efforts at COP28 and Kenya’s Initiatives
COP28, the 28th annual United Nations climate meeting, is the backdrop for Kenya’s active participation in seeking support for climate change initiatives. The country’s efforts extend beyond AIM for Climate, as demonstrated by Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru’s pursuit of investors for industrial parks in counties. These parks are strategically aligned with specific value chains in each county, fostering job creation, climate change mitigation, and improved livelihoods.
Kenyan Counties and Industrial Parks: A Game Changer
Anne Waiguru described the industrial parks as a “game changer” during COP28’s side events. The identified counties are focusing on specific value chains, with Northeastern counties centering on leather and meat production and Kirinyaga’s industrial park revolving around tomatoes, coffee, and tea. The creation of aggregation and industrial parks in 18 counties is expected to generate between 150,000 and 200,000 jobs within three years.
The partnership between the national government and 18 counties, as formalized in intergovernmental agreements, sets the stage for implementing the industrial park project. Under the agreements, the national government will transfer Sh250 million to each county as conditional grants, with the counties contributing matching funds. The national government is also committed to fast-tracking the allocation of conditional grants to the remaining 29 counties in the financial year 2023–24.
Promoting Sustainable Development and Employment Opportunities
The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for young people, curb rural-urban migration, and align with sustainable development goals. Aggregation and industrial parks are already taking shape in various counties, with each county focusing on specific industries and value addition. The overarching goal is to enhance production, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote agro-processing, entrepreneurship, and job creation, contributing to the overall sustainable development of Kenya’s agricultural sector.