Kenya has reaffirmed its position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing destinations for infrastructure investment after participating in the 19th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Innovation, Competitiveness and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Geneva.
The high-level forum convened policymakers, development financiers, private sector leaders and infrastructure experts from across the globe to deliberate on innovative financing mechanisms aimed at accelerating sustainable infrastructure development while strengthening fiscal resilience.
Speaking during the session, the Kenyan delegation led by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Investments abd Assets Management in the National Treasury Mr Cyrell Wagunda emphasized that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become an indispensable tool for governments seeking to bridge infrastructure financing gaps, mobilize private capital and deliver critical public services without placing excessive pressure on public finances.
The PS noted that Kenya has, over the past decade, undertaken significant institutional and legislative reforms that have transformed the country’s PPP landscape, making it one of the continent’s most attractive investment destinations.
“Kenya continues to distinguish itself as one of Africa’s leading PPP destinations. Through sustained institutional reforms, improved project preparation, transparent investment frameworks and stronger transaction structuring, our country has built a robust pipeline of bankable projects across transport, energy, water, affordable housing, health, education and digital infrastructure,” he said.
Kenya’s Growing PPP Portfolio
The Geneva meeting comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying efforts to leverage private sector investment to finance major infrastructure projects amid growing fiscal constraints and rising public debt.
Successive governments have increasingly embraced PPP arrangements to complement public funding, allowing private investors to finance, build and operate infrastructure projects under long-term contractual agreements before transferring them back to the government.
Kenya’s PPP programme has already facilitated investments in strategic sectors including roads, ports, renewable energy, healthcare, housing and ICT infrastructure, positioning the country as a regional economic hub for East and Central Africa.
The country’s renewed focus on structured project preparation and transparent procurement has significantly boosted investor confidence, attracting both local and international financiers.
Global Focus on Sustainable Infrastructure
The 19th UNECE Committee session focused on emerging global priorities including climate-resilient infrastructure, innovation-driven procurement systems, digital transformation, fiscal sustainability and stakeholder engagement in infrastructure development.
Delegates also explored the growing application of Artificial Intelligence throughout the PPP project lifecycle—from project identification and feasibility studies to procurement, implementation and performance monitoring.
According to the Kenyan delegation, the discussions provide valuable lessons that will help strengthen project preparation, improve investment readiness and enhance governance frameworks for future infrastructure projects.
“The Committee’s agenda aligns closely with Kenya’s infrastructure priorities. These discussions present valuable opportunities to strengthen project preparation, improve investment readiness and reinforce infrastructure governance,” the delegation observed.
Learning from Global Best Practices
One of the major highlights of the Geneva conference was the presentation of the PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS), an internationally recognized framework developed by UNECE to assess infrastructure projects against sustainability, governance and investment-readiness benchmarks.
To date, PIERS has evaluated more than 350 infrastructure projects across 68 countries spanning 24 economic sectors, representing investments exceeding USD 139 billion.
The framework has become an important global benchmark for governments seeking to improve project quality, attract long-term investors and ensure infrastructure delivers measurable social, environmental and economic benefits.
Kenya believes adopting such internationally recognized standards will strengthen the country’s pipeline of investment-ready projects while reinforcing investor confidence.
Supporting Kenya’s Development Agenda
Infrastructure development remains central to Kenya’s long-term economic transformation agenda under Vision 2030, which seeks to modernize transport networks, expand access to affordable energy, improve water and sanitation services, increase affordable housing and accelerate digital connectivity.
However, financing these ambitious projects continues to pose a significant challenge, making PPPs increasingly critical in supplementing government resources.
Analysts argue that well-structured PPPs not only mobilize private capital but also introduce innovation, technical expertise and operational efficiency, helping governments deliver infrastructure more effectively while sharing project risks with the private sector.
Kenya’s participation in the Geneva summit is therefore expected to strengthen international partnerships, enhance policy reforms and position the country to attract greater foreign direct investment into infrastructure projects.
As global demand for sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure continues to grow, Kenya is seeking to leverage international best practices and innovative financing models to expand its pipeline of bankable projects and consolidate its reputation as one of Africa’s leading destinations for infrastructure investment.
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