Kenya, South Korea deepen ties to boost green energy, carbon market projects
By Kiprono Keileb, October 30, 2025Kenya has taken another major step in its journey toward green and inclusive growth following high-level talks in Seoul, South Korea, between senior government officials and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
The meeting, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, brought together the Principal Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Festus K. Ng’eno, and GGGI Director-General, Sang-Hyup Kim, where both sides discussed how to strengthen cooperation on green energy, carbon markets, and sustainable development projects.
Ng’eno described the meeting as a key milestone, noting that it reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to sustainability and its growing global partnerships.
“Kenya values this engagement as the beginning of what we anticipate will be a strong and strategic partnership in advancing our shared vision for sustainable and inclusive green growth,” Ng’eno said
Kenya recently became the 50th Member State of the Global Green Growth Institute, a major recognition of the country’s progress toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. “Kenya recently became the 50th Member State of GGGI, marking a key step in its efforts to transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy., According to the 2022 Green Growth Index, Kenya achieved a score of 47.95, demonstrating measurable progress toward sustainability targets,” the statement reads
During the meeting, discussions centred on key projects aimed at cutting emissions and promoting cleaner energy. These include the Green Hydrogen Project, backed by the Korea Green New Deal Fund, which aims to mobilise USD 200 million to advance Kenya’s hydrogen roadmap.
The talks also reviewed progress on Carbon Projects Phases I and II, which are helping Kenya prepare to trade carbon credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Other areas of focus included the E-Mobility (BRT Line 5) project, designed to promote cleaner transport in urban areas, and the Global Plastics Action Partnership (GPAP), which supports Kenya’s shift to a circular economy by promoting recycling and reducing plastic waste. “Kenya further sought GGGI’s facilitation in advancing the E-Mobility (BRT Line 5) project and reaffirmed collaboration on the Global Plastics Action Partnership (GPAP) to promote circular economy solutions,” the statement reads
Ng’eno added that Kenya has already established liaison offices for GGGI within the National Treasury and the Ministry of Environment, and that procedures are underway for a Host Country Agreement to formalise GGGI’s operations in Kenya.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in green hydrogen, e-mobility, carbon markets, and circular economy initiatives, positioning Kenya as a regional leader in green growth and sustainable innovation.