UNIDO, Kenya Climate Ventures move to unlock private capital for Africa’s climate adaptation

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV) have joined forces to unlock more domestic and international capital for climate adaptation and resilience businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership was formalized during the Adaptation Investment Summit for Africa 2026 in Nairobi through a Joint Declaration.

UNIDO brings its expertise in market development, climate adaptation, and the transformation of the coffee sector into the collaboration, while KCV, a climate-focused fund manager and impact investor, contributes its experience in enterprise development and early-stage climate finance. The joint effort seeks to scale investment in climate-smart enterprises, particularly early-stage and growth-stage businesses that often face challenges in accessing finance.

The partnership intends to leverage their combined networks, investment instruments, and access to climate finance providers to mobilize capital for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient investments across the region. A key focus will be on businesses that can deliver climate adaptation solutions but struggle to attract investment due to their early stage, perceived risks, or limited access to finance.

To support financing decisions, the organizations will use UNIDO's Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) tool. They also plan to co-create and harmonize impact assessments, participate in each other's platforms and forums, and share market and investment intelligence.

The collaboration will initially build upon existing programs like the Kenya Uganda Adaptation Accelerator and the ACT programme, which supports climate-resilient transformation in Africa's coffee sector, while creating opportunities for new initiatives targeting adaptation investment. The ultimate goal is to translate this partnership into tangible impact for communities and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa.