Kenya’s development path is not unfolding in easy conditions.The past year has brought sharper climate pressures, tighter public finances and growing demands on basic services. In many parts of the country, these pressures are no longer occasional. They are becoming the backdrop to everyday life.And yet, progress has not stalled.The UN Kenya Annual Results Report 2025 captures what it takes to keep that progress moving. It brings together the results of a year shaped as much by constraint as by commitment and shows how national priorities continued to move forward with support from the United Nations and its partners.Across 2025, Kenya continued to advance key areas of its development agenda. Health services reached millions. Nutrition support expanded in areas facing repeated food insecurity. Investments in water systems helped communities manage longer dry periods. Efforts to connect young people to skills and economic opportunities continued, even as the job market remained tight. These are not isolated gains. They reflect sustained work across sectors, often under pressure.At the centre of this effort is a more joined-up UN system. 25 UN agencies, funds and programmes are working together in support of Kenya’s development priorities under the Cooperation Framework. This shift towards working as one is shaping how support is planned, delivered and measured, with a clearer focus on shared results.The report shows how this is playing out in practice. More programmes are being delivered jointly, aligning more closely with government priorities. In some areas, this is reducing fragmentation and bringing greater clarity to results. In others, it shows where coordination still depends on consistent follow-through.At the same time, Kenya’s leadership on key issues continues to stand out. From climate action to digital innovation, the country is shaping responses that extend beyond its borders, even as it deals with the immediate effects of global and regional pressures.Partnership remains central to this progress. The collaboration between the government, development partners, civil society and the private sector continues to define what is possible. In a context of tightening resources, these partnerships are becoming even more important in sustaining and scaling results.The year has also made clear that progress is uneven. Some areas are moving forward steadily. Others are advancing more slowly, held back by structural challenges that take time to shift. Communities in arid regions, young people without stable livelihoods and women and girls facing persistent barriers remain at the centre of attention. All of this is unfolding with 2030 fast approaching. The window to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is narrowing and the pace of progress matters more than ever.This report offers a clear view of where things stand at this point in that journey.It shows where results are holding, where they are under pressure and where more focused effort is needed. It reflects a system that is adapting how it works, while staying anchored to the goal of improving lives across the country.As Kenya moves further into the current Cooperation Framework cycle, the focus will be on building on what works, strengthening coordination and ensuring that progress reaches those who are still being left behind.This report invites you to look closely at that journey.Enjoy the read.

Nairobi, Kenya – UN Kenya has presented its 2025 Annual Results to the Government of Kenya, highlighting the scale of its support across the country and reaffirming a strong partnership anchored in national priorities.The report was formally handed over by United Nations team led by the UN Resident Coordinator Dr Stephen Jackson to the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Musalia Mudavadi, during a high-level meeting in Nairobi.Bringing together the work of 28 UN agencies, funds and programmes, the results reflect coordinated support to Kenya under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2027), aligned with Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.In 2025 alone, UN Kenya delivered programmes valued at approximately USD 460 million, sustaining impact despite a challenging global financing environment.“UN Kenya entered 2025 facing significant cuts in official development assistance, but through stronger joint action across our agencies we were able to sustain delivery and continue supporting Kenya’s priorities,” said Dr Jackson. “This reflects the strength of our partnership with the Government and our commitment to deliver results that matter.” The results highlight the breadth of UN support across sectors. In 2025, more than 500,000 adolescent girls were reached with services to prevent teenage pregnancies and new HIV infections. Over one million refugees, migrants and host communities received support, while nearly nine million people benefited from nutrition assistance in humanitarian and disaster settings.Access to essential services also expanded, with around one million additional Kenyans gaining access to safe water.The United Nations also played a catalytic role in unlocking financing for development. In 2025, UN Kenya supported the Government to mobilise USD 20 million from the Adaptation Fund to strengthen national water systems.“This is the direction we are moving towards,” Dr Jackson added. “Using UN support to unlock larger flows of financing from global funds and the private sector, while strengthening national systems to sustain impact.”Welcoming the report, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi said the results demonstrate the impact of cooperation between Kenya and the United Nations system.“The partnership between the Government and the United Nations remains strong and this report demonstrates the results of that collaboration," said PCS Mudavadi. “We value the continued support of the United Nations and the role it plays in strengthening systems and advancing our national agenda.”The partnership between the Government and the United Nations remains strong and this report demonstrates the results of that collaboration. We value the continued support of the United Nations and the role it plays in strengthening systems and advancing our national agenda. Beyond service delivery, the report underscores the UN’s role in supporting policy processes, systems strengthening and citizen engagement. More than 350,000 young people engaged on digital platforms to contribute to policy discussions, while over 90,000 agricultural entrepreneurs gained climate-resilient and circular-economy skills as part of Kenya’s green transition.The report also highlights continued UN support in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and social cohesion, including efforts to support electoral preparedness as Kenya looks ahead to the 2027 general elections.Looking ahead, both the government and the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration, with a focus on strengthening national systems, mobilising additional financing and scaling solutions that respond to Kenya’s evolving development needs. As Kenya advances towards the next phase of its development journey, the United Nations is increasingly positioning itself as a catalyst and convenor, working with public and private partners to unlock investment and drive impact at scale.

👉 Read the full UN Kenya Annual Results Report 2025 here.

Kenya has taken a significant step in strengthening its digital economy with the launch of a new financing mechanism designed to unlock capital for local digital platforms and technology-enabled businesses. The agreement, signed between the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, introduces a loan portfolio guarantee aimed at expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises operating within Kenya’s growing digital ecosystem.The signing ceremony, held in Nairobi, brought together representatives from the Government of Kenya, the European Union, the United Nations system and private sector partners. It marks a shift in how development partners, financial institutions and government are working together to address one of the most persistent barriers facing digital entrepreneurs, access to finance.Unlocking opportunity in Kenya’s digital economyKenya’s digital transformation continues to accelerate, driven by strong infrastructure investments, a vibrant innovation ecosystem and a growing base of young entrepreneurs. Yet despite this progress, many businesses remain unable to access affordable financing due to perceived risks within the sector.Speaking at the event, United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Stephen Jackson framed the initiative as a practical response to this challenge.“This is about reducing risk in order to unlock opportunity. By sharing risk, we enable lending to businesses that would otherwise struggle to access capital, while maintaining strong financial discipline,” he said.He added that the initiative is also designed to shift how the financial sector views digital enterprises.“For many institutions, this sector is still seen as unfamiliar territory. What we are doing here is helping to reframe that perception. These are not high-risk ideas. They are viable businesses with real potential to grow, create jobs and contribute to Kenya’s economy.”At the heart of the DigiKen programme is what partners describe as a “deal room” approach. This connects promising entrepreneurs with financial institutions, while strengthening their readiness to absorb investment.Through this model, development partners support entrepreneurs to refine their business models, improve their financial readiness and position themselves for investment. Financial institutions are then able to engage with greater confidence, supported by risk-sharing instruments such as the UNCDF guarantee.The newly signed facility will allow the Co-operative Bank of Kenya to extend financing to a broader range of digital enterprises, while maintaining its strong governance and credit standards.“This partnership allows us to extend financing to more businesses while upholding the discipline that defines our institution,” said Vincent Marangu, Director of Co-operatives Banking at Co-operative Bank of Kenya.“Our goal is to widen the circle of opportunity for enterprises that are ready to grow. These are businesses that are commercially viable but often overlooked because they do not fit traditional risk models.”The mechanism also reflects a broader shift in development financing. Rather than relying solely on grants, the approach uses catalytic public resources to unlock much larger flows of private capital. Dr Jackson emphasised that this transition is essential for long-term sustainability.“Grant financing has an important role, particularly in the early stages of innovation. But if we are serious about scaling Kenya’s digital economy, we must move beyond grant dependency. The real opportunity lies in building a market where private capital can flow at scale.”Through the guarantee facility, UNCDF is helping to reduce the perceived risks associated with lending to digital MSMEs. This enables financial institutions to expand their portfolios while building confidence in the sector over time.The initiative is expected to unlock at least two million dollars in private sector financing in the immediate term, with the potential to catalyse significantly larger investment flows as the model matures.Building a bankable pipelineBeyond financing, DigiKen is also focused on strengthening the supply side of the ecosystem. The programme aims to support the development of a pipeline of at least 150 investment-ready digital enterprises.This includes targeted support to entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, to enhance their business models, improve financial management and build sustainable digital businesses. A dedicated training curriculum is being finalised to equip innovators with the skills required to operate in competitive and environmentally responsible markets.This dual approach, unlocking finance while strengthening enterprise readiness, is designed to ensure that investment translates into real growth and job creation.The initiative is closely aligned with Kenya’s national development agenda, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Digital Masterplan.Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy highlighted the progress already made in building the foundations of the digital economy, including the expansion of fibre connectivity and the growth of digital public services through platforms such as eCitizen.“Our focus is on building solutions that are local, inclusive and relevant,” he noted. “Digital platforms provide a powerful opportunity, especially for young people, to participate in and benefit from the economy.”Our focus is on building solutions that are local, inclusive and relevant. Digital platforms provide a powerful opportunity, especially for young people, to participate in and benefit from the economy. The European Union also reaffirmed its support for the programme, noting its role in advancing digital transformation and private sector development.“Many innovative companies face challenges not because of lack of demand, but because they cannot access the capital needed to grow,” said Deputy Ambassador Ondřej Šimek. “This initiative helps unlock that growth while contributing to job creation and economic expansion.”A model for partnership-driven developmentThe DigiKen programme, supported by the Joint SDG Fund, brings together UNESCO, UNCDF, UN Women and UNEP under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator. It is supported by the Joint SDG Fund and reflects a growing emphasis on partnership-driven approaches to development.By combining public resources, private sector expertise and coordinated UN support, the programme demonstrates how targeted interventions can unlock broader market systems and create sustainable impact.Dr Jackson underscored this point in his closing reflection.“What today represents is confidence. Confidence in Kenyan entrepreneurs, in the strength of this ecosystem and in the power of partnerships. When government, development partners, financial institutions and innovators work together, we can unlock opportunities at a scale that none of us could achieve alone.”As Kenya continues to position itself as a leading digital hub in the region, initiatives such as DigiKen are expected to play a critical role in accelerating innovation, expanding access to finance and ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy reach those who need them most.

In Kenya’s coffee-growing regions, many farmers spend years tending their crops without ever tasting the final product. For John Kamau, that gap became a question he could not ignore.At 27, he is part of a new generation stepping into agriculture differently. Not only as producers, but as processors, roasters and connectors across the value chain.Kamau grew up around coffee estates in Juja, where his father worked. Coffee was part of daily life, but what stayed with him was curiosity.“I remember asking my father so many questions,” he says. “I wanted to understand how coffee moves from the farm to the final cup.”“I wanted to understand how coffee moves from the farm to the final cup.”That curiosity shaped his path. He studied agribusiness at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, trained as a barista and later as a roaster, and gained hands-on experience abroad. With each step, his focus sharpened.“The more I learned, the more I thought about the farmer,” he explains. “The value of coffee changes so much after processing. I started asking how that value can stay closer to them.”This thinking led to Jungle Harvest Coffee Roasters, his enterprise focused on value addition. Kamau sources green beans directly from farmers, roasts and packages the coffee, and brings the final product closer to where it begins.For some farmers, it is their first time tasting their own coffee.“When they taste it, it changes how they see their work,” he says.He is also intentional about who he works with. Many of his suppliers are youth and women-led groups, often overlooked within the sector.“It is not only young people who need support,” he adds. “Women are doing a lot of work in coffee. Buying from them is one way of strengthening their position.” The journey has had its challenges. Access to machinery remains limited, and certification processes take time. Even so, he has continued to grow, securing a roasting licence and expanding his operations step by step.His approach has drawn recognition, including through a UN-supported coffee innovation challenge focused on sustainability. But for Kamau, the goal remains simple.He wants more Kenyans to drink Kenyan coffee. He wants farmers to better understand the value of what they produce. And he wants more young people to see that there is space for them in the sector.“You can start small and grow,” he says. “There is space in this industry. What matters is finding where you fit and building from there.”His work points to a shift that is already underway. One where value stays closer to the source, and where young people are not leaving agriculture, but reshaping it from within.

Story first published at https://kilimonews.co.ke/agribusiness/young-and-roasting-john-kamau-leads-the-youth-in-coffee-value-addition/