Nairobi, Kenya – One of Kenya’s largest banks, Equity Bank, has disbursed $170 million to fund climate-resilient projects across agriculture, renewable energy, and green infrastructure — a move that places the private sector at the center of Africa’s climate response. The financing supports smallholder farmers, clean energy enterprises, and businesses investing in sustainable water and waste management systems.

The initiative, which aligns with Kenya’s Green Economy Strategy, demonstrates how financial institutions can turn climate challenges into economic opportunities. Equity’s model blends affordable credit with technical assistance, helping local communities adapt to changing weather patterns while promoting job creation and food security.

For Somalia, where droughts, floods, and desertification continue to erode livelihoods, the Kenyan example offers valuable lessons. Somali banks and microfinance institutions could emulate this model by developing climate-smart lending products tailored to farmers, pastoralists, and small businesses. By mobilizing domestic capital and partnering with international climate funds, Somalia could strengthen its resilience while reducing dependency on humanitarian aid.

The Equity experience underscores that tackling climate change is not just about environmental preservation but about transforming economies from the ground up. With vision, policy support, and innovative financing, Somalia too can unlock its green potential — ensuring that its people not only survive the climate crisis but thrive through it.