Invest Kenya has launched a new investment prospectus titled Waste Management and Circular Economy: Investment Pathways and Opportunities in Kenya, aimed at unlocking capital in the country’s waste management and circular economy sectors while repositioning waste as a key economic resource.
The prospectus was unveiled at the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) during the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative forum in Nairobi, bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners to explore scalable circular economy solutions.
Kenya currently generates approximately 22,000 tonnes of waste daily, with only about 4 percent recycled. According to the prospectus, converting this waste into value across five priority sectors could unlock over $700 million in economic value and contribute about 0.5 percent to GDP by 2030, while also driving job creation and strengthening local supply chains.
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Commissioned by Invest Kenya, the report was developed in collaboration with Systemiq, ALN Kenya, and TakaTaka Ni Mali. It highlights a growing ecosystem of more than 120 circular economy businesses already operating across Kenya’s waste value chain.
The document reframes waste not merely as an environmental concern but as a strategic economic opportunity, emphasizing the potential to create new industries, strengthen manufacturing value chains, and reduce reliance on imported raw materials through material recovery.
The launch comes amid increasing momentum for circular economy initiatives both in Kenya and globally. Recent policy frameworks, including the Sustainable Waste Management Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, are helping to create a more enabling environment for private sector investment. At the same time, shifts in global supply chains are driving demand for recycled and secondary materials.
Speaking at the closing of KIICO, Kithure Kindiki underscored the growing importance of sustainability in global investment decisions.
“Climate commitments are reshaping industries. Investors are looking for destinations that combine sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term growth. In this emerging global order, we see this as an Africa moment.”
Kindiki added that Africa sits at a critical intersection of climate action and economic transformation, noting that while the continent holds nearly 40 percent of the world’s renewable energy potential, it has attracted only about 2 percent of global renewable energy investment over the past decade.
“Correcting this imbalance is not only a climate imperative but also the investment opportunity of this generation,” he said.
He further referenced the Africa Climate Summit 2023, stating:
“African leaders have already charted the path through the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change.”
Despite the sector’s potential, investment has historically been constrained by fragmented data and limited visibility of viable projects. The new prospectus aims to address these challenges by clearly outlining investment pathways and opportunities across the circular economy value chain.
In his remarks, John Mwendwa highlighted growing investor interest and ongoing deal activity.
“As witnessed during the opening of KIICO, the results are already tangible; we unveiled USD 2.9 billion in investments. And we have a robust pipeline in green deals that we are actively facilitating towards closure.”
Mwendwa added that Invest Kenya is accelerating efforts to sustain momentum by developing investment-ready projects and strengthening financial support mechanisms.
“We are fast-tracking a Project Preparation Facility to develop bankable projects, while expanding de-risking instruments, including guarantees, blended finance, and risk-sharing mechanisms.”
The prospectus is expected to play a key role in catalysing private sector participation and scaling Kenya’s transition to a circular economy over the next three to seven years.
