NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has highlighted its growing role in global infrastructure financing discussions, using a United Nations forum in Geneva to showcase its expanding Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme and attract greater private sector investment into key sectors of the economy.
The Public Investments and Assets Management Directorate said Kenya participated in the 19th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Innovation, Competitiveness and Public-Private Partnerships, a platform focused on shaping international policy and strengthening infrastructure financing frameworks.
According to the directorate, the global infrastructure financing landscape is evolving rapidly as governments increasingly rely on PPPs to mobilise private capital, improve fiscal sustainability, and deliver resilient infrastructure projects capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
Kenya told the forum that it has built one of Africa’s most robust PPP pipelines through institutional reforms, stronger project preparation mechanisms, and enhanced transaction structuring.
The government cited investments across transport, energy, water, affordable housing, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure as evidence of efforts to expand investment opportunities while accelerating the delivery of critical public projects.
Officials noted that the Geneva discussions closely align with Kenya’s infrastructure development priorities, particularly in areas such as climate resilience, digital transformation, fiscal sustainability, innovation-driven procurement, and stakeholder engagement.
The forum also examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in infrastructure planning and project management, an area Kenyan authorities believe could improve efficiency throughout the PPP project lifecycle.
The directorate said the development of international standards on climate-resilient infrastructure, small-scale PPPs and investment readiness offers valuable lessons that could strengthen Kenya’s project preparation and governance frameworks.
Kenya has increasingly turned to PPP arrangements as it seeks alternative financing models amid rising public debt pressures and growing demand for infrastructure investments.
The government argues that private sector participation can help bridge financing gaps while accelerating the implementation of strategic projects that support economic transformation and job creation.
The Geneva meeting also reviewed progress made through the PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS), a global benchmarking tool designed to assess infrastructure sustainability and investment readiness.
According to figures presented at the forum, PIERS has evaluated more than 350 infrastructure projects across 68 countries and 24 sectors, representing over USD 139 billion in capital expenditure.
Kenyan officials said such international benchmarks provide important insights for expanding the country’s pipeline of bankable PPP projects and strengthening investor confidence.
The discussions come as Kenya continues to position itself as a regional infrastructure investment hub, with authorities seeking to attract more global capital into priority sectors while supporting sustainable and climate-resilient development.
Government officials maintain that strengthening PPP frameworks remains central to achieving long-term development goals and delivering critical infrastructure without placing excessive pressure on public finances.
