Regional lender KCB Group has been recognized for its commitment to transparency on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, winning the Best Organization in ESG Transparency and Disclosure award at the 2nd Edition of the Kenya ESG Awards 2025.

The recognition was announced during an award ceremony hosted by the Kenyan Entrepreneurs' Conference on Trade and Development (KENCTAD) last week.

KCB said this award underscores its leadership in driving sustainable business practices and its dedication to transparent ESG reporting—an essential driver of long-term economic growth.

“This accolade reflects our leadership in ESG transparency and reinforces our position as a frontrunner in sustainable banking practice. For over a decade, we have strived to earn the trust of all our stakeholders through transparent disclosure of our operations, ESG commitments, and progress towards a more sustainable future,” said KCB Group CEO Paul Russo. 

Since publishing its first sustainability report in 2008, KCB said it has aligned its operations with global ESG standards, earning the trust of stakeholders and positioning itself as a leader in sustainable banking practices. 

Last year, KCB launched its 13th sustainability report, marking a historic milestone as the first limited-assured sustainability report by a financial institution in East Africa. 

Recently, the Bank received approval of US$540,000 (KES69 million) from the UN Green Climate Fund to support grant project preparation activities. 

The funding is part of a large project valued at US$118.25 million (KES15.3 billion) that will support MSMEs in adopting climate-smart solutions. These efforts highlight KCB’s alignment with the UN SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action). 

What's more, KCB Kenya is set to receive US$100 million (KES12.9 billion) from the British International Investment (BII) to support its lending capacity to climate-related projects and women led small and medium-sized businesses. 

In an update, the lender said this funding will benefit individuals in the informal sector through the Female-Led and Made Enterprises (FLME) program. 

KCB Group’s role in enhancing sustainable finance has also been manifest through its Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) framework, which has evaluated over KES1 trillion since its launch in 2020. 

Additionally, through the Linda Miti initiative, KCB said it has planted and nurtured over one million trees as part of its mission to combat climate change and promote biodiversity.

As one of Kenya’s pioneers in sustainable finance, KCB Group actively supports green industries, promotes energy transition, and encourages its clients to adopt ESG principles. The Bank also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with national targets and global best practices.