Nairobi, Kenya – May 22, 2026… Banking industry umbrella body Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), through its Centre for Sustainable Finance and Enterprise Development (CSFED), has partnered with WWF-Kenya to restore 56,000 mangroves across 7 hectares in Kilifi County as part of efforts to strengthen coastal climate resilience and promote nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
Dubbed Greening Kenya: Scaling Mangrove Restoration, the initiative was held to commemorate the International Day for Biodiversity on May 22, 2026, and saw restoration activities undertaken in Mtwapa, Takaungu, and Kilifi Creek, with participation from KBA member banks in the on-the-ground planting exercise.
Speaking at the unveiling of the mangrove restoration drive, KBA Chief Executive Officer Raimond Molenje underscored the importance of private-sector leadership in environmental stewardship.
“The banking industry recognises that climate resilience and environmental sustainability are integral to Kenya’s long-term economic prosperity. Through this partnership, we are demonstrating how sustainable finance can support practical, community-driven nature-based solutions that protect ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and contribute to climate adaptation,” Mr. Molenje said.
WWF-Kenya Head of Partnerships and Communication, Grace Waweru, on behalf of the CEO of WWF Kenya, commented on the significance of the collaboration, noting that mangroves are critical ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and community resilience.
“This partnership demonstrates the importance of collective action in restoring degraded ecosystems while creating economic opportunities for local communities and strengthening Kenya’s response to climate change,” said Ms Grace.
The partnership demonstrates how nature-based solutions (NbS) can be financed and scaled to support climate adaptation and resilience for vulnerable coastal communities. Mangroves act as natural infrastructure, reducing wave energy and coastal erosion by up to 70 percent, while also supporting fisheries, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
The initiative is supported through a combined investment of KES 3.48 million, with KBA contributing KES 1 million and WWF-Kenya providing KES 2.48 million through its Bengo Global Programme.
All mangrove seedlings for enrichment planting are sourced from the Mtwapa, Takaungu, Kilifi Community Forest Association (MTAKIMAU CFA), generating approximately KES 2.7 million in direct income for community user groups and linking ecosystem restoration with inclusive local economic empowerment.
Mangroves are among the world’s most effective natural climate solutions, with scientific evidence showing they can store three to four times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial tropical forests.
In addition, more than 75 percent of tropical fish species depend on mangroves at some stage of their life cycle. However, Kenya has lost an estimated 20 percent of its mangrove cover over the last four decades due to overharvesting, pollution, and coastal development. In Kilifi County, forest cover remains at about five percent, highlighting the urgency of restoration efforts.
Restoration activities are guided by the MTAKIMAU Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP 2024–2028) and implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), WWF-Kenya, and local communities. Planting will take place from May 23 to 26, 2026, using Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) approaches to enhance survival rates and long-term ecosystem recovery.
Since 2023, WWF-Kenya has placed under restoration 48 hectares of mangroves in Kilifi County while also supporting education, water access, and sustainable livelihood initiatives through its Bengo Programme.
The initiative aligns with Kenya’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Government of Kenya’s Fifteen Billion Tree Growing Programme. Ongoing monitoring will assess seedling survival rates, ecosystem recovery, and carbon sequestration outcomes.
Through this initiative, KBA, WWF-Kenya, and participating member banks are demonstrating how sustainable finance can unlock practical and scalable nature-based solutions that strengthen coastlines, support climate adaptation, and deliver tangible benefits for communities and biodiversity.
Christine Onyango
Director, Communication and Public Affairs
Kenya Bankers Association
Email: conyango@kba.co.ke
About Kenya Bankers Association
The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is the umbrella body for all commercial banks in Kenya and is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Established on 16th July 1962, KBA represents 46 member institutions with combined assets exceeding KES 7.7 trillion. Its core mandate is to promote a stable, competitive, and inclusive banking industry by influencing legislation, regulation, and policy to enhance access to affordable credit for individuals, households, and businesses. KBA also drives financial sector development through strategic initiatives, including the launch of Pesalink, the industry’s first peer-to-peer digital payments platform. In partnership with the CBK and other stakeholders, KBA has spearheaded projects such as the modernization of the National Payments System, implementation of the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), and the Kenya Credit Information Sharing Initiative. Guided by its brand statement, “One Industry. Transforming Kenya,” KBA continues to strengthen the banking sector, foster innovation, drive financial inclusion, and support national economic growth. Learn more: www.kba.co.ke
About WWF Kenya
The World-Wide Fund for Nature Kenya (WWF-Kenya) is a locally registered non-governmental conservation organization and an affiliate of WWF International. Since 1962, WWF-Kenya has partnered with government, civil society, private sector, and local communities to create an enabling environment for a healthy natural environment that supports sustainable development in Kenya.
