KCB partners with public universities to finance green transition

KCB Bank Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public universities to support their transition to cleaner, more efficient and climate-resilient campuses.

The partnership seeks to help universities address financial and infrastructure challenges while reducing operating costs and their environmental footprint.

Under the agreement, KCB will support financing for projects including solar energy, energy efficiency, clean cooking technologies, waste management, biogas systems, solar water heating and rainwater harvesting.

The interventions are expected to improve resource efficiency, reduce operating costs and strengthen universities’ resilience to climate and economic pressures.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Annastacia Kimtai said public universities were facing constrained budgets, rising operating costs and significant infrastructure needs.

She said improving financial efficiency and diversifying revenue streams would be critical to strengthening the institutions.

“Access to appropriate financing remains one of the barriers to the clean-energy transition for learning institutions, and KCB is prepared to use its financial expertise and partnerships to help address that gap,” Kimtai said.

She said universities that invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and responsible water management could reduce their long-term operating costs while demonstrating environmental leadership.

The partnership comes shortly after KCB signed another MoU with the State Department for Higher Education and Research to support the development of more sustainable and resilient universities across the country.

The broader partnership is focused on practical measures to reduce universities’ environmental footprint, improve resource efficiency and create healthier and more sustainable learning environments for students, staff and surrounding communities.

The latest agreement positions green infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen the financial and operational resilience of Kenya’s public universities.