From Belém to Antalya: How the UAE and Kenya Can Turn Climate Ambition into Bankable Projects

COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, raises the question of whether global climate commitments can turn into tangible projects. For the UAE and Kenya, this marks a transition from discussion to action. In 2019, COP29 set a goal of raising climate finance to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. This commitment was expanded by COP30, which aimed to triple adaptation finance by 2035.

Kenya is well-positioned to showcase how these goals can be translated into reliable electricity, enhanced food systems, and more resilient economies. The country's abundant geothermal resources provide a solid foundation for renewable electricity, while its plans in manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services offer avenues for turning this energy into broader economic growth.

To harness this potential, sustained investment and partners capable of navigating technical and commercial hurdles between agreement and operation are essential. The UAE offers this capability, with experience in renewable energy development, infrastructure financing, and technology deployment in challenging environments. For Kenya, this partnership can extend beyond individual fundings to support the industries and services that rely on them.

Geothermal energy, for instance, presents a significant opportunity. AMEA Power, a Dubai-based company, is working on the Paka project, illustrating the potential for Kenya's geothermal pipeline, including the Suswa development, to attract investors with the necessary expertise and long-term commitment. Beyond electricity generation, reliable geothermal power can support industrial parks, processing facilities, and digital infrastructure, bolstering Kenya's capacity for investment and employment.

The UAE's involvement can help link these energy developments into a broader strategy of economic transformation. The digital sector exemplifies this potential. In 2024, Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based G42 initiated a plan for a geothermal-powered data center at Olkaria, showcasing the blend of Kenya's renewable resources with international expertise in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Such infrastructure requires consistent power supply and viable commercial agreements, but the broader opportunity entails a digitally-driven economy powered by clean, dependable energy. Agriculture represents another critical area. In February 2025, Al Dahra signed a memorandum of understanding to invest up to $800 million over a decade in irrigated farming at Galana-Kulalu, contingent upon technical assessments and infrastructure development.

This collaboration brings in expertise in arid-climate farming and water management, which could bolster Kenya's food security. Successfully implemented, this cooperation could enhance agricultural yields, generate jobs, and promote local processing industries. The UAE's support, therefore, should encompass both financial resources and technical know-how to advance Kenya's development goals.

While these initiatives vary in development stages, their potential impact is substantial. The focus now is on advancing feasible projects through feasibility studies, approvals, and financing to facilitate construction and operation. COP31 presents an opportunity to expedite this process. Kenya and the UAE can build on their current collaboration by pinpointing a select set of priority projects, complete with clear sponsors, financing needs, and delivery timelines.

This approach would provide investors with clearer visibility into opportunities and enable both nations to identify areas where coordinated efforts could yield the most significant benefits. For some projects, the initial requirement might be funding for technical studies. For others, it could involve a reliable power-purchase agreement, targeted guarantees, or investments in transmission and water infrastructure.

Aligning these financial instruments with specific obstacles can transform political pledges into commercially viable projects while maintaining transparent public obligations. The balance between commercial viability and developmental impact is crucial. Investors require a reasonable return, while Kenya necessitates affordable services, job creation, and enhanced productive capacity.

Projects that align with these objectives are more likely to garner public backing and foster a resilient partnership over time. Commercial investment should also dovetail with grants and concessional financing necessary for adaptation efforts and communities grappling with climate-induced loss and damage. At COP31, Kenya can showcase its investment priorities by clearly delineating what is ready, what needs additional support, and what benefits will arise from delivery.

Conversely, the UAE will demonstrate how its investment expertise can assist Kenya in advancing its national objectives in energy, food security, and technology. The $1.3 trillion goal will only gain significance through projects that achieve financial closure, commence construction, and deliver services that people can utilize.

The UAE and Kenya possess a unique opportunity to contribute practical solutions to the global climate agenda.