KCB Group disbursed KSh48.8 billion in green loans in 2025, supporting projects in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, clean transportation, water management and other climate-smart investments as the lender stepped up its sustainable finance agenda.
According to the bank’s 2025 Sustainability Report, KSh9.9 billion of the green financing was independently verified as climate-eligible using the Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) tool.
At the same time, the Group screened transactions worth KSh587.9 billion under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The lender said the milestone helped it exceed its strategic target of allocating 25 per cent of its lending portfolio to green projects, reaching 25.84 per cent in 2025, up from 21.6 per cent the previous year.
The figures are contained in KCB Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report, themed Transitioning Economies, which highlights the bank’s efforts to integrate sustainable finance into its operations across the region.
KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo said the bank is aligning its financing decisions and business strategy to support climate resilience and sustainable business growth.
“KCB seeks to be a bigger player in shaping a robust and sustainable financial ecosystem throughout East Africa by continuously developing tailored green financing solutions for MSMEs, households and corporates,” said Russo.
Beyond financing, the Group continued investing in environmental conservation initiatives through its tree-growing programme.
In 2025, KCB surpassed its target of planting 1.5 million trees by planting more than 3.5 million trees. The achievement was supported by over 200 tree-planting activities conducted across the region in partnership with 1,778 schools and other stakeholders.
The bank also expanded its clean energy initiatives in the education sector through its Learning Institutions Customer Value Proposition programme.
Under the initiative, KCB financed 266 schools with KSh782.5 million to support the adoption of cleaner cooking systems, helping institutions transition away from traditional biomass fuels.
The Group also continued implementing its solarisation programme, with solar installations now operational in 16 branches. Some of the branches benefiting from the initiative include Maasai Mara, Wajir, Mandera, Watamu, Lamu, Loitoktok, Kakuma and Namanga, as well as the Karen Leadership Centre.
KCB plans to extend solar power installations to 30 additional branches this year as part of its efforts to increase the use of clean energy across its operations.
According to the report, the bank recorded a two per cent reduction in fuel and electricity consumption, contributing to an overall 13 per cent reduction in emissions across the Group.
The lender also highlighted the impact of its social and economic empowerment programmes.
Through KCB Foundation initiatives, more than 265,300 jobs were supported during the year, while 16,549 young people benefited from workforce readiness and skills development programmes.
In addition, 38,635 youth-led businesses received business development support through the 2Jiajiri Young Africa Works programme, contributing to a cumulative total of 67,090 businesses supported by the Group.
KCB further strengthened its support for women entrepreneurs, disbursing KSh149 billion to women-led businesses through its Female-Led and Made Enterprise (FLME) programme.
The funding forms part of the bank’s broader five-year commitment to unlock KSh250 billion in financing for women-owned enterprises.
The Group also continued advancing financial inclusion among displaced and underserved communities. During the year, 20,299 refugees gained access to formal banking services, while KSh71.4 million in loans was disbursed to refugee entrepreneurs using identification documents issued by UNHCR.
KCB said the report is its third sustainability report to undergo a limited assurance review. Prepared with reference to IFRS S1 and S2 standards and published alongside the Group’s 2025 Integrated Report, it reflects the bank’s early adoption of the reporting framework ahead of the mandatory 2027 deadline.
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