The recent Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu County Investment Conference highlighted the critical role of climate resilience in driving sustainable development in Northern Kenya. The conference brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners to discuss strategies for sustainable development among them mitigating the impacts of climate change in the three counties.
The has been hailed for creating jobs and empowering locals to adapt to climate change. Since its establishment in 2021, over 12,000 Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) have benefitted from the $43 million Impact for Northern Kenya (INK) Fund, an impact investing vehicle financed by USAID Kuza fund. This financial assistance has supported economic growth and created over 25,000 direct jobs.
“These numbers are not just statistics, but life-changing experiences that represent resilience, hope, and the entrepreneurial spirit from the people of Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu counties and the entire northern Kenya region at large,” remarked Jennifer Maurer, USAID Resilience Coordinator.
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The fund, where the majority of the beneficiaries are women, has been instrumental in empowering women entrepreneurs and providing them with the financial resources and support needed to succeed. Women-led businesses in sectors like agriculture and livestock trade have been at the forefront of driving sustainable development and creating employment opportunities in the region.
A key focus of the INK Fund has been to support businesses that contribute to environmental sustainability such as those in animal feed production, drought-resistant seeds, and water harvesting. By investing in enterprises that promote renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and waste management, the fund is playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts in the region, generating jobs, and building a more resilient community.
By integrating climate resilience into development plans, the region can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for its residents. USAID Kuza remains committed to working with partners including private sector players, and national and county governments to build a resilient Northern Kenya.
The INK Fund’s commitment to fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability aligns with the broader goals of USAID’s 2025 goal that Kenya’s competitive private sector, resilient communities and civil society organizations, and citizen-responsive public sector better collaborate to drive inclusive growth and well-being for Kenya’s self-reliance.
Bringing together investors, local entrepreneurs, government officials, and development partners, the conference is the third in a series of USAID KUZA’s efforts to devolve the Northern Kenya Investment Conferences to specific counties. The discussions aimed to create a synergy of ideas, expertise, and resources to drive inclusive and sustainable investment in the regions, which are often disregarded in discussions about investment and development.