Kenya advances talks with World Economic Forum on green growth
By Faith Lagat, June 12, 2026Kenya is intensifying its strategic engagement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to drive green growth, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, led high-level discussions at the WEF headquarters in Geneva today, focusing on deepening bilateral ties that align with Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.
In an update shared on X dated June 12, 2026, Sing’Oei described the meetings as “insightful,” involving WEF leadership and heads of its various Centres. The talks explored ways to leverage the Forum’s global platforms, technical expertise, and network of public and private partners.
“We discussed opportunities to leverage the Forum’s global platforms, expertise, and partnerships to advance Kenya’s development priorities and position the country as a leading hub for investment and innovation in Africa.”
The discussions focused on positioning Kenya as a hub for investment and innovation in Africa, with emphasis on green technologies, sustainable industries, and inclusive economic models.
Sing’Oei stated that Kenya is working to align economic growth with environmental protection under its development agenda. The engagement highlighted cooperation on policy frameworks and partnerships intended to support long-term investment and innovation across priority sectors.
Collaboration on public-private partnerships and investment flows
Sing’Oei also held discussions with WEF Managing Board Member Maroun Kairouz on expanding cooperation across key sectors. The talks focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, increasing investment flows, and supporting job creation through innovation-driven growth models.
The discussions highlighted the role of the World Economic Forum network in connecting governments, investors, and development actors. Kenya’s participation aims to support infrastructure development, technology transfer, and climate-focused investments that can strengthen economic resilience.
A key point of discussion was the expansion of structured cooperation mechanisms to support sustainable development initiatives and regional economic integration.
Kenya National Plastic Action Partnership set for Mombasa launch
The talks also reviewed ongoing collaboration on the Kenya National Plastic Action Partnership (KNAP), which is expected to be launched during the Our Ocean Conference (OOC 11) in Mombasa. The initiative targets the reduction of plastic waste and marine pollution while promoting improved waste management systems.
KNAP is designed to support circular economy approaches, including recycling systems, responsible production practices, and reduction of single-use plastics. The partnership brings together government, private sector, and international partners to address environmental degradation linked to plastic pollution.
The initiative aligns with national environmental policies and broader global sustainability commitments. It is expected to contribute to cleaner marine ecosystems and improved waste governance frameworks.