Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance CEO Zhongjing Wang with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei in Beijing on August 1, 2026/COURTESY
Kenya is exploring innovative financing models to support major infrastructure projects amid growing competition for development funding and calls for reforms to the global financial architecture, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir has said.
Korir made the remarks during a visit to the Multilateral Cooperation Centre for Development Finance (MCDF) in Beijing, China, where he met with the organisation's leadership to discuss strengthening development cooperation between Kenya and multilateral financing institutions.
The PS said the engagement provided an opportunity for Kenya to gain insights into alternative financing mechanisms that can help developing countries mobilise resources for critical development projects.
"At a time of intensifying global competition for development financing and growing calls to reform the international financial architecture, we valued insights from MCDF on innovative financing models to support developing countries," Korir said.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei (centre) with Kenya's ambassador to China Willy Bett and other senior embassy officials during a meeting with officials from Multilateral Cooperation Centre for Development Finance in Beijing on August 1, 2026/COURTERSY
He met MCDF CEO Zhongjing Wang and members of the organisation's secretariat as Kenya seeks to deepen partnerships that can support the country's long-term development agenda.
Korir said Kenya appreciated MCDF's contribution of Sh300 million towards project preparation for the Mau Summit-Malaba segment of the highway, describing the support as significant to the landmark infrastructure project being implemented under a public-private partnership framework.
The Mau Summit-Malaba road forms part of Kenya's efforts to expand and modernise its transport infrastructure while improving connectivity between major economic centres and neighbouring countries.
The project is expected to strengthen the movement of people and goods along the Northern Corridor, which is a critical trade route linking the Port of Mombasa to Kenya's hinterland and other countries in the region.
Korir expressed appreciation for MCDF's support, saying the partnership demonstrated the value of development cooperation in advancing large-scale infrastructure investments.
"We expressed our sincere appreciation for MCDF's support of Sh300 million towards project preparation for the Mau Summit-Malaba segment of the highway, a landmark PPP infrastructure project currently underway in Kenya," he said.
Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance CEO Zhongjing Wang (left) with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei in Beijing on August 1, 2026/COURTESYThe PS also welcomed plans for the establishment of an MCDF regional learning centre in Nairobi, saying the facility would provide an opportunity for Kenya and other African countries to strengthen their capacity in development finance.
The proposed centre is expected to facilitate knowledge sharing and build expertise in innovative financing approaches, particularly as African countries seek additional resources to bridge infrastructure and development financing gaps.
Korir said he looked forward to the establishment of the regional centre, which would further strengthen Nairobi's position as a hub for development cooperation and financial expertise on the continent.
The visit comes as Kenya continues to pursue partnerships with international institutions and development financiers to mobilise resources for infrastructure and other priority investments.
The government has increasingly turned to public-private partnerships and other alternative financing models as it seeks to implement major projects while managing pressure on public finances.
Korir's engagement with MCDF is therefore expected to contribute to Kenya's broader strategy of securing sustainable financing and technical support for projects critical to the country's economic transformation.
