Africa Finance Corporation to Establish Its First Regional Office in Nairobi

Kenya, 25 April 2026 - The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is set to establish its first regional office in Nairobi in a broader effort to strengthen East Africa's infrastructure capacity.

This was confirmed after the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and AFC President and CEO Samaila Zubairu signed an agreement on Friday, in a ceremony witnessed by President William Ruto.

AFC is a pan-African multilateral development finance institution, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, that was created to bridge Africa’s infrastructure deficit.

The corporation operates as a public-private partnership, providing financing and advisory services for large-scale projects across the continent.

 Through the new agreement, AFC plans to mobilise over US$2 billion in the region over the next three to five years, targeting key sectors including transport corridors, energy, special economic zones, and digital infrastructure.

President Ruto maintained that the development not only cements the country’s position as a leading destination for investment but also enhances its capacity to deliver transformative projects aligned with national development priorities.

“AFC President Samaila Zubairu underscored that the Nairobi office will enable faster project origination, improved structuring, and scaled capital deployment across interconnected markets,”  the State Department for Foreign Affairs said.

“AFC’s expansion builds on its strong track record in Kenya, where it has committed over US$1.3 billion since 2017 in energy, transport, and industrial projects, including the Dongo Kundu Integrated Industrial Park, Naivasha Special Economic Zone II,” it added.

Kenya has long served as Africa’s diplomatic capital, hosting a range of international offices.

The recent approvals for an AFC regional office will further strengthen this position, adding to a portfolio that already includes over 150 international and intergovernmental organizations, alongside thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

 In late March, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) revealed that it had selected Nairobi as the host of its regional offices, which will serve the East and South African Regions.

 The government described the opportunity as a reflection of Nairobi's growing influence in environmental stewardship, innovation, and climate ambition.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world's largest dedicated fund helping developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and adapt to climate change.