GFCR and UNCDF Launch New Coral Reef-Positive Investments in Kenya
GFCR and UNCDF Launch New Coral Reef-Positive Investments in Kenya
New UNCDF and GFCR investments will target wastewater pollution and support sustainable fisheries, strengthening coastal livelihoods.
Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), has signed two new financing agreements to scale reef-positive businesses in Kenya, tackling waste pollution and unsustainable fishing while supporting sustainable coastal livelihoods.
The investments support Sanivation and Kumbatia, two Kenyan enterprises reducing pressures on coral reefs through circular economy solutions that cut wastewater pollution and sustainable fisheries that shift effort away from reef-dependent and destructive practices. Both enterprises have established operating models in Kenya, and the new financing is expected to help scale their solutions into additional coastal areas, strengthening benefits for significant marine strongholds and local economies.
“With these investments, the Global Fund for Coral Reef aims to demonstrate that targeted, patient capital can help local enterprises growth while having a positive impact on lowering stressors on the most resilient Kenya’s coral reef”, said Pierre Bardoux, Director of the GFCR in the UNCDF Strategic Fund Unit. “Within GFCR’s investment ecosystem, UNCDF plays a catalytic role by deploying concessional capital and risk-absorbing instruments in higher-risk markets, helping crowd in wider public and private finance to generate sustained impact across livelihoods, local markets, and ecosystems.”
Together, the investments will demonstrate how targeted blended finance can unlock private sector innovation for reef conservation and climate-resilient development. Both investments are supported through flagship blue economy programme for the Kenya–Tanzania seascape, Miamba Yetu.
Tackling wastewater pollution through circular economy solutions
The GFCR-UNCDF 540,000 USD investment will expand the operations of Sanivation, an innovative waste-to-energy company addressing wastewater pollution. The new deal will bring Sanivation’s model to the Malindi National Marine Park, where sewage that would otherwise flow into sensitive marine ecosystems will be treated and converted into clean-burning energy briquettes for industrial use. By scaling this approach, the investment will reduce nutrient and pathogen loads entering coastal waters, while increasing local jobs and advancing Kenya’s circular economy.
Supporting sustainable fisheries and reef-friendly livelihoods
A second GFCR–UNCDF investment will support Kumbatia Seafood to replicate and scale its proven Lamu model in the reef-rich coastal region of Kwale, helping shift fishing effort away from reef-dependent and destructive practices toward offshore pelagic fishing for mahi mahi using selective, reef-safe methods. Kumbatia trains fishers in sustainable fishing practices, promotes the use of selective and reef-safe gear, and connects them to high-value markets for responsibly sourced seafood.
With an investment of up to USD 250,000, with performance- and impact-based terms, the financing will strengthen training, quality and cold-chain systems, and traceability, including the planned deployment of Pelagic Data Systems artisanal vessel monitoring to improve transparency and responsible sourcing. By linking premium market access to verified, reef-safe practices, the model is intended to reduce destructive fishing pressure on inshore reefs while supporting stronger and more stable incomes for fishers and their communities.
Financing Nature-Positive Coastal Economies
With UNCDF as the catalytic investment partner, GFCR’s Miamba Yetu programme is demonstrating how innovative finance can align sustainable economic development with coral reef protection, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.
About the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)
Led by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) is the world’s leading multilateral coral reef finance platform, mobilising public and private capital toward the protection and effective management of the world’s most climate-resilient reef systems. Backed by a public-private coalition of states, UN agencies, financial institutions, philanthropies, impact investors, conservation actors, and civil society, GFCR blends grants, concessional and risk-tolerant instruments, and private investment to help shift markets toward reef-positive outcomes across 22 coral nations. By 2030, GFCR aims to support at least 400 business and finance solutions, improve management across 3 million hectares of climate-resilient reefs, and contribute to strengthened resilience for 20 million people.
Dive deeper at www.GlobalFundCoralReefs.org and follow the action #ForCoral LinkedIn and YouTube.
