Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC)

Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) is a leading climate innovation hub based at Strathmore University, Nairobi, dedicated to accelerating climate entrepreneurship in Kenya and the East African region. Established in 2012 under the World Bank InfoDev program and formally incorporated in 2015, KCIC supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing, scaling, and commercializing climate-smart solutions across key sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water management, circular economy, nature-based solutions, and clean mobility.

KCIC addresses the pressing climate challenges facing Africa, including environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and rising greenhouse gas emissions. By providing incubation, acceleration, capacity building, and access to finance, KCIC equips SMEs with the tools, technical knowledge, and market connections needed to create lasting impact. Its programs focus on youth and women entrepreneurs, fostering inclusion while promoting economic growth alongside environmental sustainability.

The center operates a portfolio of flagship and targeted programs, including the AgriBiz Programme, GreenBiz Programme, PUSE Pilot, SWIFT, and various innovation competitions such as ClimateLaunchpad and Vijana na AgriBiz. These initiatives combine technical assistance, mentorship, innovative financing, and market linkages to enable SMEs to deploy scalable climate solutions while creating green jobs and community resilience.

To date, KCIC has supported over 450 SMEs, mobilized more than $25 million in investments, and contributed to the creation of 2,500+ green jobs. Through partnerships with international donors, development agencies, academic institutions, and private sector actors, KCIC continues to catalyze a thriving ecosystem of climate-smart enterprises that strengthen resilience, promote sustainable growth, and drive inclusive development across Kenya and the region.