KCB Group Disburses KSh48.8 Billion in Green Loans

KCB Group Plc has disbursed KSh48.8 billion in green loans in 2025 to finance environmentally sustainable projects across renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, clean transport, water management and climate-smart investments. Of this amount, KSh9.9 billion was independently verified as climate-eligible through the Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) framework.

The bank also screened transactions worth KSh587.9 billion under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

As a result, KCB surpassed its strategic goal of allocating 25 % of its loan portfolio to green financing, reaching 25.84 % in 2025 from 21.6 % the previous year.

The achievements are highlighted in the KCB Group Sustainability Report 2025, themed “Transitioning Economies,” which underscores the bank’s efforts to position sustainable finance as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and climate resilience across East Africa.

KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo noted that the bank is deliberately aligning its business strategy and financing decisions to support sustainable enterprise growth, strengthen climate resilience and create long-term economic value in the markets where it operates.

“KCB seeks to be a bigger player in shaping a robust and sustainable financial ecosystem throughout East Africa by continuously developing tailored green financing solutions for MSMEs, households, and corporates to support the adoption of sustainable practices across key sectors. This will be enabled through strengthened partnerships with global climate financiers to mobilise capital at scale, product innovation and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy throughout the region,” said Russo.

Beyond financing, KCB Group continued to strengthen its environmental conservation efforts through its ongoing tree-growing campaign, a key contributor to Kenya’s climate action and ecosystem restoration agenda. In 2025, the Group significantly exceeded its target of planting 1.5 million trees, surpassing 3.5 million trees through more than 200 tree-planting activities conducted across the region in partnership with 1,778 schools and other stakeholders.

The Group also advanced clean energy adoption in the education sector through its Learning Institutions Customer Value Proposition (CVP), supporting 266 schools to transition to cleaner cooking technologies with financing totaling KSh782.5 million. The initiative is helping schools reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels and embrace more sustainable energy solutions.

KCB has further expanded its solar energy programme, with solar installations now operational in 16 branches across the Group, including Maasai Mara, Wajir, Mandera, Watamu, Lamu, Loitoktok, Kakuma, Namanga and the Karen Leadership Centre. Plans are underway to extend solar power to an additional 30 branches, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to renewable energy adoption.

These efforts contributed to a 2% reduction in fuel and electricity consumption and an overall 13% decline in carbon emissions across the Group, reflecting continued progress in improving operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Through KCB Foundation programmes, more than 265,300 jobs were supported during the year, while 16,549 young people benefited from workforce readiness and skills development initiatives aimed at improving employability and entrepreneurship. Additionally, 38,635 youth-led enterprises received business development support under the 2Jiajiri Young Africa Works programme. Overall, the Group has supported 67,090 businesses as part of its broader commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and expanding opportunities across communities.

KCB also strengthened its commitment to women’s economic empowerment by disbursing KSh149 billion to women-led enterprises through the Female-Led and Made Enterprise (FLME) programme. The initiative forms part of the Group’s five-year pledge to unlock KSh250 billion in financing for women entrepreneurs and businesses.

The Group further expanded financial inclusion among displaced and underserved populations, enabling 20,299 refugees to access formal banking services. Through the use of UNHCR identification documents, KCB disbursed KSh71.4 million in loans to refugee entrepreneurs, supporting business growth and economic participation within host communities.

This marks the third consecutive sustainability report by the KCB Group to receive limited assurance. Developed with reference to the IFRS S1 and S2 Standards and published together with the 2025 Integrated Report, the report underscores the Group’s commitment to early adoption of global sustainability disclosure requirements ahead of their mandatory implementation in 2027.

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