Kenya has signed the California–Africa Climate and Economic Partnership, a landmark deal aimed at fostering sustainable development and green innovation in Nairobi and across the country. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), was witnessed by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The partnership will focus on key areas including sustainable transport, electric mobility, green ports, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient food systems. Additionally, Kenya and California will collaborate on renewable energy, green infrastructure, digital innovation, and climate adaptation strategies.
A flagship initiative under the agreement is the establishment of Africa’s first Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems in Nairobi. This centre will serve as a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation, positioning Kenya as a continental leader in sustainable urban mobility. Notably, Kenya is the only African country to formalize such a partnership with California, the world’s fourth-largest economy.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s vision for a green, inclusive, and smart urban future,” Governor Sakaja said. “It will provide Nairobians with cleaner, more efficient transport and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.”
This partnership builds on Kenya’s recent international collaborations. In July, Nairobi joined President William Ruto in London to renew a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom for the Nairobi Railway City (NRC) project. Sitting on 425 acres in the city’s Central Business District (CBD), the project aims to modernize Nairobi’s Central Station, introduce a modern transport hub, new retail spaces, green urban zones, and improve connectivity for over two million daily commuters.
Through these initiatives, Kenya is advancing a vision for safe, clean, and green urban environments, where residents can live affordably, commute efficiently, and access opportunities with dignity.
