Kenya launches green building repository to link projects with finance
Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Eng Festus Ng’eno pose for a photo after Kenya Green Building Society Annual Conference in Nairobi
Kenya has launched a national repository designed to connect sustainable building projects, green technologies and investment opportunities as the country steps up efforts to cut emissions and build climate-resilient cities.
The Kenya Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment Projects and Solutions Repository was unveiled during the Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) Annual Conference in Nairobi on Friday, October 2,2026.
Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Eng Festus Ng’eno said the platform would help address the information gap facing Kenya’s growing green building sector by making credible projects and solutions more visible to investors, policymakers and other market players.
Ng’eno said climate change was already affecting Kenyan cities and settlements through flooding, extreme heat, water stress, ecosystem degradation and damage to infrastructure.
Government urged to lead green transition
The PS said the Government could use public procurement to create predictable demand for sustainable construction materials and solutions by incorporating environmental and climate performance requirements into its purchasing systems.
“Public procurement could play a particularly important role. Government is a major purchaser of buildings, infrastructure, construction materials and related services,” Ng’eno said.
He, however, cautioned that the transition must be practical and inclusive, with small and medium-sized enterprises given opportunities to participate in emerging green value chains.
The Repository will contain information on certified green projects, projects progressing towards sustainability and products and technologies supporting resilience and decarbonisation.
Platform to connect projects to capital
According to KGBS, the platform will, where data is available, provide details on investment value, emissions reductions, energy and water performance, renewable energy capacity, jobs created and beneficiaries.
The initial phase will focus on Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Lamu and Laikipia, with the aim of improving visibility of sustainable projects at county level.
KGBS chief executive officer and ESG Lead Nasra Nanda said Kenya needed to move beyond isolated sustainability discussions and establish practical systems connecting standards, finance, materials, infrastructure and project delivery.
Focus shifts to implementation
The repository is part of the Building the Transition programme, which brings together government agencies, financial institutions, developers, manufacturers and technical partners.
The programme focuses on policy and standards, low-carbon materials and industrial decarbonisation, finance and investment, and sustainable housing and development.
Ng’eno said credible data would be critical to the success of the platform, urging institutions to regularly update information and demonstrate measurable results.
He said the built environment could become a major platform for climate action if institutions worked together to turn policies into practical projects.
“Let us build cities and economies that are low-carbon, resource-efficient, resilient and inclusive for today and for generations to come,” he said.
