UNDP Rome Centre Facilitates Kenya–Italy Partnerships to Advance Kenya’s Clean Energy Future

High-level Kenyan government delegation undertakes a three-day mission to Italy to strengthen energy cooperation and mobilize investment, technology and expertise in support of Kenya’s National Energy Compact

October 21, 2026

ROME, 27 October 2026 – A high-level delegation from the Government of Kenya is undertaking a three-day energy mission to Italy, facilitated by the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition, Italian Ministry of Energy & Environment & RES4Africa to deepen Kenya–Italy cooperation and forge strategic partnerships in support of Kenya’s clean-energy ambitions.

Taking place from 26 to 28 October 2026, the mission brings together Kenyan government officials and representatives of Italy’s public and private energy ecosystem, including government institutions, development finance institutions, commercial banks, investors, utilities, technology providers and engineering companies. The engagements are focused on mobilizing investment, expanding technical cooperation and identifying partnership opportunities aligned with Kenya’s development priorities.

At the centre of the mission is Kenya’s National Energy Compact 2025–2030, the country’s framework for accelerating universal access to modern energy services, expanding renewable-energy generation, strengthening transmission infrastructure, scaling clean-cooking solutions and supporting green industrial development. Kenya has established itself as a continental leader in renewable energy, with more than 90 percent of its electricity generation derived from renewable sources. Building on this foundation, the country is seeking strategic partners to help extend reliable and affordable energy services, strengthen the resilience and flexibility of its electricity system, and unlock the investment required to meet its energy-access and development goals by 2030.

The mission began on 26 October with targeted bilateral engagements between the Kenyan delegation and Italian financial institutions, energy companies, regulators and technical organizations. The discussions explored financing solutions, project preparation, renewable-energy development, geothermal energy, transmission infrastructure, emerging technologies, regulatory cooperation and public-private partnerships.

On 27 October, the delegation presented Kenya’s energy vision and priority investment opportunities at the Kenya–Italy Energy Investment Roundtable, held under the theme “Advancing Kenya’s Clean Energy Future Through Strategic Partnerships.”

Hosted by the RES4Africa Foundation and GSE S.p.A., in collaboration with the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition, the roundtable convened senior representatives from government, development finance institutions, commercial banks, investment funds, energy utilities, technology providers and industry organizations.

The roundtable provided a high-level platform for the Government of Kenya to showcase its National Energy Compact and engage prospective partners on investment and cooperation opportunities across renewable energy, geothermal development, transmission infrastructure, energy access, clean cooking, green industrialization and emerging energy technologies. Discussions also examined the financing structures, project-preparation support, technical expertise and enabling conditions needed to translate Kenya’s energy priorities into implementable and investable initiatives. Participants identified potential areas for collaboration and considered concrete follow-up actions to sustain engagement beyond the mission.

“Kenya offers significant investment opportunities in geothermal, wind, solar, hydropower, battery storage, electricity transmission, clean cooking and electric mobility hence Partnerships with Italian investors will mobilise capital and accelerate Kenya’s clean energy transition. Through strengthened Kenya–Italy cooperation, we can translate shared commitments into tangible investments, sustainable economic growth and lasting benefits for our people.” said Hon. Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, State Department for Energy, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum,Kenya.

The mission is being supported by the Italian Ministry of Energy & Environment and facilitated by the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition as part of its work to connect African countries and energy stakeholders with financing, technical expertise and strategic partnerships. Through its convening and project-preparation support, UNDP helps address the technical and financial barriers that can prevent promising clean-energy initiatives from reaching investment readiness.

“Kenya’s clean-energy ambitions present significant opportunities for cooperation with Italy’s financial, technological and industrial ecosystem. By bringing governments, investors, technical institutions and energy companies together, this mission is helping create the relationships and practical pathways required to move from shared ambition to sustained partnership and investment,” said Agostino Inguscio, Representative for UNDP in Italy and Coordinator of the UNDP Rome Centre.

The mission will conclude on 28 October with technical visits to the biogas facility at Azienda Agricola Maccarese, near Rome, and the Enel Green Geothermal Power Plant in Larderello, Tuscany. The visits will provide opportunities for technical exchange on biogas and geothermal-energy technologies, project development and potential private-sector cooperation. The three-day programme reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable energy development through stronger cooperation between Kenyan and Italian public institutions, financial partners, technical organizations and private-sector actors. Follow-up engagements will focus on developing the partnerships, technical exchanges and investment pathways identified during the mission.

Media contact

Omer Kavuk, Communications Specialist - UNDP Rome Centre, omer.kavuk@undp.org

About the UNDP Rome Centre

The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition is a global platform that supports developing countries in accelerating investment in clean energy and climate resilience, while empowering civil society and young people to contribute to climate action. Its work is made possible through a partnership with the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.

About Energy For Growth

Energy for Growth in Africa supports the development of clean energy projects across the continent, helping to close the financing gap that keeps too many countries from accessing the investment they need for a sustainable energy transition. Energy for Growth in Africa was endorsed by G7 Leaders in the Apulia Communiqué in June 2024 and is implemented by UNDP with initial funding from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.