Climate Cooperation Initiatives

Kenya na Norway Zaongeza Uhusiano wa Kimazingira na Mipango Mipya ya Ushirikiano wa Hali ya Hewa

By Tropiki news desk| May 2025

Kenya na Norway zinaimarisha ushirikiano wao wa muda mrefu wa kimazingira kupitia miradi mipya na ahadi za pamoja za kupambana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, kuhifadhi bioanuwai, na kukuza maendeleo endelevu. Muungano huu uliokita mizizi katika maadili ya pamoja ya kimazingira, umebadilika na kuwa ushirikiano wa pande nyingi unaojumuisha uvumbuzi wa sera, uwekezaji wa kifedha na mipango ya msingi. Huku Kenya ikitumika kama kitovu cha diplomasia ya kikanda na Norway inayojulikana duniani kote kwa ufadhili wake wa hali ya hewa na uongozi wa kijani, mataifa hayo mawili yanathibitisha kuwa ushirikiano unaweza kuleta athari inayoonekana duniani.

A shared commitment to climate action

Kenya, kiongozi wa kikanda katika diplomasia ya hali ya hewa na Norway mtetezi wa kimataifa wa uendelevu wa mazingira wamefurahia miongo kadhaa ya ushirikiano katika masuala ya mazingira. Ushirikiano wao unaendelea kuwa na jukumu muhimu katika kuendeleza mipango inayowiana na malengo ya Umoja wa Mataifa ya maendeleo endelevu (SDGs), hasa katika hatua za hali ya hewa (SDG 13), maisha juu ya ardhi (SDG 15), na nishati safi na nafuu (SDG 7).

During the sixth united nations assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for environment, Soipan Tuya held high-level talks with Norway’s minister for climate and environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. The two leaders discussed scaling up joint efforts in nature-based solutions, especially wetland restoration and reforestation. Norway’s invitation for Kenya to join the nature crimes alliance, a global initiative aimed at tackling environmental crimes such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and the destruction of critical ecosystems.

Mwaliko huu unaashiria imani kubwa kwa uongozi wa Kenya katika uhifadhi na utawala na upatanishi wa kimkakati wa maadili kati ya nchi hizi mbili. "Kiini cha ushirikiano wetu ni imani ya pande zote kwamba haki ya hali ya hewa lazima ijumuishe watu, mifumo ikolojia na ustawi wa pamoja," alisema Waziri Eriksen. "Kenya ni mshirika mkuu wa Norway barani Afrika. Uongozi wako katika sera ya mazingira unatia moyo.” Mkutano huo uliashiria kujitolea upya kutoka kwa nchi zote mbili za kushirikiana katika vipaumbele vya dharura vya mazingira ambavyo vinaathiri sio tu Afrika Mashariki, lakini sayari kwa ujumla.

E-M obility and sustainable Transport

Beyond dialogue, this partnership is backed by tangible investment. Norway has committed significant funding to support Kenya’s immobility agenda and green transition. in June 2024, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide visited BasiGo’s electric bus depot in Nairobi. A sign of Norway’s growing interest in Kenya’s green transport innovation.

Norwegian development agencies Norfund and Norad have collectively invested over $300 million (Ksh 40.2 billion) into Kenya’s green economy. This includes support for reforestation efforts in the Mau Forest Complex, community-led conservation in the Tana River Basin and pilot projects in wetlands restoration for flood control and biodiversity recovery.

Capacity-building efforts are also underway, aimed at equipping Kenyan institutions, youth and local communities with the skills and resources needed for long-term environment thrive together.

“Kenya is proud to work with Norway in protecting biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience,” said CS Soipan Tuya. “We share a commitment to building a future where our people and environment thrive together.”

Minister Eriksen echoed the sentiment, noting “Kenya is a key partner for Norway in Africa. Your leadership in environmental policy in inspiring, and we are eager to support these bold steps with technical and financial cooperation.

Mahusiano ya kidiplomasia

While environmental cooperation remains central, diplomatic ties between the two countries are expanding across multiple fronts.

Mnamo 2024, Kenya na Norway zilishikilia nafasi zao mashauriano ya kwanza ya kisiasa, discussing trade, the blue economy, education, climate change and regional peace and security. These structured dialogues represent a step forward in transforming bilateral engagement into a more institutionalized and strategic partnership.

Norway has also supported Kenya’s bid for greater leadership roles on international climate platforms. Both countries are advocates for multilateral and have worked jointly to ensure that global climate finance mechanisms become more accessible and equitable for developing nations.

This cooperations extends to development aid. Norway is among the few countries that consistently meet the UN target of allocating at least 0.7% of Gross National Income to official development assistance (ODA) a portion of which is now flowing into Kenya’s climate resilience programs.

Amani ya kikanda na upatanishi

The collaboration goes beyond green goals. Kenya and Norway co-mediated peace talk between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in 2024. This initiative marked a significant diplomatic milestone as both nations committed to advancing stability and peace in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya’s role as a regional stabilizer and Norway’s long-standing experience in peacebuilding have made them effective co-mediators in conflict resolution. Their shared diplomatic strategy underlines the link between environmental sustainability and regional security, recognizing the climate change is also a driver of displacement and conflict.

Athari na ushiriki wa jamii

One of the strengths of the Kenya-Norway partnership lies in its strong grassroots orientation. Community engagement remains a core pillar of all major projects, from reforestation to e- mobility.

Programs intentionally involve women and youth particularly in rural areas, helping them access green jobs, skill training and entrepreneurial opportunities. For example, Norway’s support of village capitals accelerator program is helping climate-focused startups in Kenya gain visibility, funding and mentorship turning innovation into impact.

Ushawishi wa kikanda na kimataifa

Kenya’s proactive role in climate diplomacy is growing, and this partnership with norway only amplifies that voice. Hosting UNEP and UN-Habitat, Nairobi remains Africa’s environmental capital. Kenya’s national policies are aligned with the Paris Agreement and its climate targets are among the most ambitious on the continent including a goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Norway, a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, is also influencing the global climate agenda. Together, both countries offer a model for how Global North-South partnerships can move beyond aid and into shared innovation and mutual benefit.

Nini kinafuata?

With global window for meaningful climate action closing, Kenya and Norway’s reinvigorated partnership offers hope and direction. Their combined expertise, funding and diplomatic capital position them to lead not only in environmental conservation but also in policy advocacy and peacebuilding.

In the coming months, both governments are expected to announce joint projects in blue economy development, clean energy transitions and possibly host regional summits focused on sustainable development in East Africa.

Ukweli wa haraka: Ushirikiano wa mazingira wa Kenya na Norway

Project/initiative                         Focus area                                          Status

Natures crime alliance                  Wildlife & forest protection                   Kenya invited to join

Mau forest Reforestation               Indigenous tree planting                      Ongoing with local partners

Tana river basin community           Climate resilience & livelihood               Active

Norfund Green Energy support      Renewable energy investment               Norway-funded

Wetland restoration pilot              Flood control & biodiversity recovery      In planning phase

Kwa nini ni muhimu: Kenya + Norway kwa sayari

• Kenya inaongoza Afrika katika diplomasia ya hali ya hewa na mwenyeji wa makao makuu ya UNEP.
• Norway ni miongoni mwa wafadhili wakubwa duniani wa masuala ya mazingira.
• Both nations support Nature-Based Solutions as cost-effective tools to fight climate change.
• This partnership builds not just policy but also jobs, innovation and inclusive development.

UKWELI WA KUFURAHISHA: Kenya aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and global partnerships like this one are critical to reaching that goal.

From forests to diplomacy, buses to biodiversity, the Kenya-Norway alliance is growing stronger and greener. For everyday Kenyans, this means more opportunities a healthier environment and a brighter more sustainable future.