Kenya Bioversity Ciat Climate Action Deal

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have partnered with ministry of Environment to strengthening collaboration in climate action.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU, the Alliance’s Director General, Dr Juan Lucas Restrepo, expressed sincere appreciation to Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi for the opportunity to formalise and deepen the partnership.

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He also conveyed gratitude for the warm welcome and continued cooperation extended by the Ministry.

“Kenya remains a key hub for Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research in Africa, with Nairobi hosting a strong and growing presence of scientists and partners. The Alliance’s regional office at the ICIPE Duduville Campus coordinates a multidisciplinary team of approximately 200 staff, including 130 researchers dedicated to delivering science-based solutions for agriculture, environment, and livelihoods,” said Restrepo.

Also present during the event was The Alliance Africa MD Dr Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg.

Mugambi underscored the importance of aligning ongoing and future interventions with the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (2023–2032), emphasising that joint programmes should be firmly anchored within this framework to ensure coherence, sustainability, and national ownership.

Looking ahead, the PS assured of the Ministry’s full support in resource mobilisation efforts to scale restoration initiatives and incentivize communities, building on the demonstrated outputs.

He emphasised the need for strengthened joint monitoring mechanisms to track progress and impact, alongside the promotion of certified community tree nurseries and the establishment of clear frameworks for offtake to ensure sustainability and long-term value for communities.

The newly signed MOU reflects a shared commitment to leverage complementary strengths.

The Ministry provides leadership, policy direction, and national coordination, while the Alliance contributes cutting-edge science, innovation, and global partnerships.

Together, the two institutions aim to scale impactful solutions that address Kenya’s development priorities.

The collaboration will focus on critical areas including forestry and agroforestry, landscape restoration, climate action, research and policy support, community livelihoods, digital innovation, and capacity development. This partnership seeks to align efforts toward practical, scalable interventions that benefit both people and the environment.

The alliance is already actively engaged in multiple landscapes across Kenya, promoting integrated approaches that combine agriculture, trees, and ecosystem management.

Through initiatives such as multifunctional landscapes, climate action programs, and digital tools like MyFarmTrees (https://myfarmtrees.org/), the Alliance supports farmers in improving productivity and resilience while restoring natural resources.

“We are deeply committed to integrating technology with tree restoration efforts, recognising that this is essential for effective monitoring and for incentivising restoration at scale, while also enhancing climate justice,” said Francis Oduor, National Coordinator, My Farm Trees.

The alliance further acknowledged the Ministry’s strong emphasis on farmer capacity development, noting that effective extension services are essential for scaling innovations and ensuring long-term impact.