National Engagement: Kenya

To scale impact and build local ownership, G20 GLI is starting its activities at the national level, planning to provide support to national start up ecosystems. In 2025, we’re launching a pilot engagement in Kenya, leveraging accelerators, innovation hubs, and public institutions to reach hundreds of youth ecopreneurs working on land restoration.

Facing significant land degradation and climate risks, Kenya also boasts a vibrant innovation landscape. The country is home to a wide range of accelerators, youth networks, and climate-focused hubs, creating fertile ground for collaboration and impact.

Why Kenya?

Kenya is a strategic regional player and a restoration priority in East Africa, with over 5.1 million hectares committed under national and global frameworks. Despite its ecological challenges—84% of Kenya is arid or semi-arid—the country has emerged as a continental leader in green innovation and entrepreneurship.

Highlights of Kenya’s startup ecosystem:

  • Top-ranked in East Africa and #62 globally for startup ecosystems
  • 2,500+ startups and over 60 innovation hubs
  • Agri-tech is the second-largest job creator among startups
  • Over 50% of the population is under 20, and youth-led ventures are rising in restoration, agri-business, and green innovation.

Brazil leads Latin America in startup investment —$1.7B in funding (Startuolinks, 2025)— with investors focused on quality and scalability, favoring startups with clear paths to revenue and social-environmental impact. Activity is increasing across all five regions, though the Southeast (notably São Paulo) remains the central hub.

And, there’s more:

  • Global ecological relevance: 310 million hectares of public forests
  • High urgency: In 2020, over 312,000 km² were burned—nearly half in the Amazon Basin
  • Startup powerhouse: Ranked #1 in South America and #27 globally in startup ecosystems
  • Over 14,000 active startups, many are in agri-tech, green innovation, and climate solutions

Global ecological importance

  • Key restoration hotspot with diverse ecosystems – from savannas to forested highlands.

  • Strategic regional player in East Africa with strong national commitments to land restoration.

Urgent need of action

  • Over 84% of Kenya’s land is arid and semi-arid (ASAL). and less than 16% supports food security needs for more than 80% of the population.
  • Estimated 3-5% GDP loss annually from land and climate-related disasters (-$6.5 billion per year)

Commitments

  • Aims to achieve 10% tree cover and restore 5.1 million hectares by 2030 (Bonn Challenge & AFR100).

  • Restoration is a priority in Kenya’s NDC and Vision 2030 strategy.

Leader in startup ecosystem

  • Ranked #1 in East Africa, and #62 globally for startup ecosystems.

  • Over 60 active innovation hubs and ~2,500 startups.

  • Agri-tech is the second largest job creator among startups – behind only fintech.

5.1M+

Ha committed

To restore by 2030

Our G20 GLI Approach

  • Local delivery partners: working with leading BSOs, youth networks, and NGOs
  • Adapted grantmaking
  • Monitoring and learning to refine scalable delivery models
  • Ecosystem coordination through private–public collaboration

Activities are kicking off soon—stay tuned for opportunities, calls for applications, and partnership announcements!