California and Kenya Forge Green Alliance to Drive Climate-Smart Economic Growth
The California–Africa Climate and Economic Partnership – Kenya Forum opened today in Nairobi, launching a two-day high-level exchange aimed at accelerating climate-smart economic growth between Kenya and the U.S. state of California. The inaugural day brought together senior government leaders, private sector executives and innovators from both sides to turn shared environmental ambitions into concrete investments.
The high-level meeting featured Ambassador Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change; Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Hon. Lee Kinyanjui; Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan of the State Department for Investment Promotion (SDIP); senior officials from both governments; and a California delegation led by Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, Commissioner Naomi Gallardo of the California Energy Commission and Alice Reynolds, President of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Opening the forum CS Lee Kinyanjui underscored the importance of translating discussions into actionable results. “This is more than a policy conversation. It is a platform to ignite action, broker partnerships and unlock climate-smart investments that serve both our planet and our people,” he said. “Kenya is open for business and we see immense potential in working with California to grow green manufacturing, electric mobility, agro-processing and renewable-powered industrial corridors.”
Ambassador Mohamed described the day as “the beginning of a stronger bridge — one that connects California’s world-class expertise in technology, clean energy, sustainable transport and innovation with Africa’s vast potential, youthful energy and transformative ambitions.” He noted that Kenya’s renewable energy achievements — with over 93% of its electricity generated from clean sources — make the country “a natural partner for California in shaping the global climate agenda.”
The forum builds on the partnership launched in December 2024 during California’s first official mission to Kenya and a climate summit in San Francisco in April 2025. The Nairobi gathering signals a shift from dialogue to implementation.
Secretary Omishakin, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome to Kenya, reaffirmed that more formal agreements and announcements will follow in the coming weeks. Highlighting California’s credentials as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a leader in zero-emission transport, global climate action, Omishakin noted that the state has sold over two million electric cars, achieved 67% renewable energy implementation, set targets for 100% clean car sales by 2035 and continues to spearhead innovation as a global technology hub. He emphasised that these strengths align seamlessly with Kenya’s own climate leadership, which includes generating over 93% of its electricity from renewable sources. “Our aim is to strengthen government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people ties,” Omishakin said. “California is proud to stand alongside Kenya in advancing clean transportation, clean energy, technology, agriculture and climate action.
Day one featured sector-focused sessions on sustainable transport, renewable energy expansion, climate-resilient agriculture and green trade. Delegates explored financing models, policy frameworks and technology transfer strategies to accelerate low-carbon industrialisation and regional market integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Inclusivity was a recurring theme, with both sides stressing that green growth must create opportunities for youth, women and marginalised communities. Kenya’s innovation-driven young workforce was highlighted as a competitive advantage for joint ventures in clean tech, Agri-tech and creative industries.
As the forum continues into its second day, the focus will turn to identifying flagship projects ready for launch within the next year. Ambassador Mohamed urged participants to “think boldly, act decisively and commit to follow-through,” while CS Kinyanjui reinforced that climate action and economic growth are “two sides of the same coin” for a more resilient and prosperous future.