KEPSA, KWCA and TERRASOS Convene Leaders to Advance Nature Finance and De-Risk Investments
This article was originally published on the KEPSA website and has been republished on the KWCA website with permission.
On 22 July 2026, leaders from the private sector, financial institutions, conservation organisations, government, and development partners convened in Nairobi for the “De-Risking Investments by Investing in Nature” Forum, jointly organised by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Terrasos, the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), and EarthAcre. The high-level forum explored how investing in nature is emerging as a strategic approach to reducing investment risks, strengthening business resilience, and unlocking sustainable economic growth while conserving biodiversity.
The event was officially graced by Ms. Carole Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer of KEPSA, together with Dr. John Wandaka, Chair of the KEPSA Environmental Sector Board, and Mrs. Jane Ngige, Vice Chair of the Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET). The forum also brought together key representatives from the organizing partners, including Mr. Mohanjeet Brar, Co-founder of EarthAcre; Ms. Juanita López-Peláez, Strategic Biodiversity Finance Director for Africa at Terrasos; and Policy Advocacy Manager Gladys Warigia, Strategic Communication Manager Joyce Mbataru, Mercy Mwangi, and Stanley Kumum from the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), reflecting a shared commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation and nature-positive investment.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Carole Kariuki emphasised that investing in nature is no longer philanthropy or corporate social responsibility but a strategic business imperative that strengthens resilience, protects value chains, and enhances long-term competitiveness. She noted that nature loss and biodiversity decline present growing financial risks to businesses and highlighted Kenya’s strong potential to become a leader in nature finance and biodiversity investment. She also reaffirmed KEPSA’s commitment to supporting businesses in advancing Environmental Social Governance (ESG), sustainable finance, and nature-positive investments to drive a resilient and inclusive green economy.
A major highlight of the event was the Market Briefing on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures, delivered by Ms. Christine J.W. Mwangi, CFA, Programme Manager, Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), UNDP. Her presentation introduced participants to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework and demonstrated how businesses and financial institutions can identify, assess, manage, and disclose nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. The session emphasized that integrating nature into financial and corporate decision-making enables organisations to improve resilience, strengthen transparency, respond to investor expectations, and create long-term value.
The forum also featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by Dr. Jackson K. Koimbori, Head of Circular Economy and Climate Change at KEPSA, who also served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. The distinguished panel comprised Ms. Christine J.W. Mwangi, CFA (BIOFIN, UNDP), Mr. Owen Ombima, Senior Officer, Sustainability and Shared Value at Safaricom PLC, Mr. Joseph Mathenge, Foundation Manager at Absa Kenya Foundation and an experienced development and sustainability professional, and Ms. Rose Mugo, Senior Manager, Sustainability Reporting, Policy and Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank and Nature Finance Champion for Africa. The discussion explored how businesses can integrate nature into ESG strategies, strengthen corporate sustainability, improve nature-related disclosures, and mobilise private investment to support biodiversity conservation and resilient value chains.
Throughout the forum, speakers emphasised that healthy ecosystems are fundamental to resilient economies. They highlighted that forests, wetlands, wildlife conservancies, and other natural ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services that sustain agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, water security, and climate resilience. Investing in nature therefore helps businesses reduce operational, environmental, financial, and regulatory risks while protecting supply chains, strengthening competitiveness, and creating shared value for investors, communities, and the economy.
Participants also explored innovative financing mechanisms that are accelerating biodiversity conservation across Africa. Terrasos shared global experience in biodiversity finance and habitat banking, KWCA demonstrated the value of community conservancies in conserving Kenya’s natural heritage while supporting local livelihoods, and EarthAcre showcased technology-driven solutions that measure biodiversity outcomes and facilitate transparent investments in nature. These approaches illustrate how strategic partnerships can mobilise private capital to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits while contributing to national and global sustainability goals.
The forum concluded with a strong call for deeper collaboration among businesses, financial institutions, conservation organisations, governments, and local communities to scale investments in nature. By bringing together the expertise of Terrasos, KWCA, EarthAcre, KEPSA, BIOFIN, UNDP, and leading private sector institutions, the event reaffirmed that investing in nature is no longer solely a conservation priority, it is a strategic investment that de-risks businesses, strengthens ESG performance, safeguards biodiversity, enhances climate resilience, and drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth for Kenya and beyond.