By: Kanto Kai
Okanta
Kenya’s Office of the
Special Envoy for Climate Change has
highlighted the importance of accessible finance for sustainable construction,
support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the integration of
nature and resilience into investment decisions.
The priorities were outlined
by Nasra Nanda, Built Environment Lead at the Office of Kenya’s Special Envoy
for Climate Change, during the launch of Equity Group’s 2025 Sustainability
Report at the Nairobi Arboretum.
The Office, which operates
under the Executive Office of the President, was represented by Nanda at the
event and congratulated Equity Group on the milestone.
According to the report,
Equity Group recorded KSh99.5 billion in social impact and sustainability
investment in 2025, disbursed KSh404 billion to micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs), and directed 90 per cent of its procurement spending to local
suppliers.
In her remarks, Nanda
highlighted the need to expand access to finance for sustainable construction,
strengthen support for SMEs, local manufacturing and skills development across
the built environment, and incorporate nature and resilience into investment
decisions.
“A home is only truly
affordable if a family can afford to live in it over time,” she said.
Her remarks linked household
affordability to the long-term performance of buildings and the protection of
wetlands, waterways and green spaces, emphasising the need to consider
environmental sustainability in development and investment decisions.
Chief Guest H.E. Sebastian
Groth, German Ambassador to Kenya, emphasised the importance of partnerships
and investment in a shared future, highlighting renewable energy, local value
addition and catalytic climate finance.
Equity Group Managing
Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi also underscored the mutually reinforcing
relationship between commercial success and sustainable development.
His observation that “nature
is central to life” highlighted the importance of integrating ecosystems into
development decisions.
Ahead of COP31, the Office
stressed that connecting policy, finance and implementation remains essential
to delivering safer homes, stronger enterprises, healthier ecosystems and more
resilient communities.
