KCB Group CEO Paul Russo speaking during the launch of the 2024 Sustainability Report at Shamba Caffe, Loresho.
KCB Group has reaffirmed its leadership in sustainable finance, screening over KShs. 578.3 billion in loans for environmental and social risks in 2024, a milestone that pushes its cumulative total to over KShs. 1 trillion since 2020. The Bank’s green lending portfolio also grew to 21.3%, channeling KShs. 53.2 billion into projects advancing clean energy, e-mobility, blue economy, and climate resilience.
Beyond financing, KCB is redefining inclusive growth by allocating 7.5% of supplier contracts to special interest groups and empowering over 9,000 youth through the 2Jiajiri program creating more than 60,000 jobs. With over 1.3 million trees planted and a measurable 4% reduction in resource consumption, the Bank continues to make sustainability a lived commitment.
Speaking at Shamba Caffe, Loresho, during the launch of the 2024 KCB Group Sustainability Report, CEO Paul Russo reaffirmed the Bank’s unwavering commitment to governance, transparency, and sustainability. He emphasized that governance remains central to KCB’s operations, with the government as a key partner in driving integrity and accountability.
Over the past year, KCB has strengthened its internal governance framework, aligning policies and risk management systems with global standards such as the Net Zero Banking Alliance, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), UN Global Compact, UNEP Finance Initiative, and the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Russo also announced plans to fully align the Bank’s reporting with IFRS S1 and S2 by 2026, underscoring its commitment to credible and transparent disclosure practices.
Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, commended KCB Group for making sustainability a core business priority. He praised the Bank’s continued support for green financing, climate-smart agriculture, and empowerment of SMEs, women, and youth. Dr. Ng’eno noted that sustainability is a shared national journey, supported by frameworks such as the Kenya Green Finance Taxonomy and Climate Risk Disclosure Framework.
He lauded KCB’s contribution to the National Tree Growing Strategy, including the planting of over 1.3 million trees and restoration of the Mau Forest ecosystem. He reaffirmed the government’s goal to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, stressing that accountability in sustainability reporting builds trust, innovation, and resilience for a sustainable future.
In a panel discussion, Eric Naivasha emphasized that the fight against climate change cannot be won without SMEs, which both contribute to and suffer from its effects. He explained how KCB Group is embedding sustainability into its business through initiatives like the Green Families Fund, supporting SMEs with climate-smart financing and capacity building.
Lucy Shina Karimi, founder of Miskari Farm, shared how training and funding from the KCB Foundation’s Tujiajiri program helped her establish her agribusiness and empower young women through climate-smart and sustainable farming.
Hosea Muriga, representing Toolkit for Skills and Innovation, highlighted how his institution is bridging Kenya’s gap in certified solar technicians through hands-on and virtual reality training preparing youth for green energy jobs.
Nathalie Naina from Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) discussed tackling textile waste by promoting circular economies, recycling post-consumer clothing, and creating jobs from waste. Collectively, the panel underscored how KCB’s partnerships are advancing sustainability across finance, agriculture, energy, and waste management.
KCB’s 2024 report, themed “Transforming Today Together,” reinforces that sustainability is not a project it’s a culture. Through responsible lending, climate action, gender inclusion, and MSME empowerment, KCB continues to shape a greener, fairer, and more resilient future for all.