KCB Group has been recognized for its industry-leading commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures. To that end, the lender won the best organization in ESG transparency and disclosure at the second edition of the Kenya ESG Awards 2025. This announcement was made during the award ceremony organized by the Kenyan Entrepreneurs’ Conference on Trade and Development (KENCTAD). . The event brought together key stakeholders in the ESG space, representing a diverse range of sectors.
Leadership
The award recognizes KCB Group’s leadership in ESG excellence and its consistent efforts in transparently reporting on environmental, social, and governance initiatives, which is a critical aspect of fostering sustainable economic growth. “This accolade reflects our leadership in ESG transparency and reinforces our position as a frontrunner in sustainable banking practice. For over a decade, we have strived to earn the trust of all our stakeholders through transparent disclosure of our operations, ESG commitments, and progress towards a more sustainable future,” said KCB Group CEO Paul Russo.
Over the past decade, KCB Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through transparent reporting and impactful initiatives. Since publishing its first sustainability report in 2008, the bank has aligned its operations with global ESG standards, earning the trust of stakeholders. By the same token, it has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable banking practices.
The thirteenth sustainability report marks a historic milestone as the first limited-assured sustainability report by a financial institution in East Africa. Recently, the lender received an approval of USD 540,000 (Kshs. 69 million) from the UN Green Climate Fund to support grant project preparation activities. The funding is part of a large project valued at USD 118.25 million (Kshs. 15.3 billion) that will support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting climate-smart solutions. These efforts highlight KCB’s alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action).
KCB Bank Kenya is set to receive USD 100 million (Kshs. 12.9 billion) from the British International Investment (BII) to support its lending capacity to climate-related projects and women led small and medium-sized businesses. The funding will benefit individuals in the informal sector through the female-led and made enterprises (FLME) programme.
Pioneer
KCB Group’s dedication to sustainable finance is also evident through its comprehensive environmental and social due diligence (ESDD) framework, which has evaluated over Kshs. 1 trillion since its launch in 2020. Additionally, through the Linda Miti initiative, the lender has planted and nurtured over one million trees, reflecting its dedication to combating climate change and promoting biodiversity.
As one of Kenya’s pioneers in sustainable finance, KCB Group actively supports green industries, promotes energy transition, and encourages its customers to adopt ESG principles. The bank also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with national targets and global best practices.
