Absa Kenya has marked National Tree Planting Day by launching a Kes2 million tree-planting initiative that seeks to plant over 30,000 tree seedlings in Kiambu and Makueni counties during the current short rains season.

In alignment with the national government's wetlands restoration strategy, Absa contributed 20,000 bamboo tree seedlings for planting in Kiu Wetland through the State Department of Forestry. Furthermore, Absa provided 10,000 seedlings to support the restoration of Kinale forest through an existing partnership with Safaricom Plc.

Yusuf Omari, Chief Finance Officer of Absa Bank Kenya PLC, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the bank's sustainability agenda and complements the ongoing government agenda to plant 15 billion trees. During the tree planting drive at Kinale Forest in Kiambu County, Mr. Yusuf explained, "As an active force for good, we are passionate about environmental conservation and its contribution to the well-being of our communities through the simple act of planting and nurturing trees. This resonates with our sustainability commitment number 3, which is to increase biodiversity and encourage environmental responsibility by planting and growing 10 million trees by 2025."

Over the past two years, the bank has been involved in tree planting initiatives in the southern part of Aberdare Forest and the Mau Complex, collaborating with the Kenya Forest Service, local Community Forest Associations, and partners like the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). The bank is also on track to rehabilitate a section of the degraded 100-hectare Sorget Forest in Kericho County.

“This year, we are targeting to plant over 1 million trees countrywide. We believe our efforts will scale the government’s endeavors towards achieving 30 percent forest cover by 2032,” added the CFO.

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