Nairobi – Kenya has taken a major step in global climate leadership. President William Ruto on Tuesday launched the African headquarters of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) in Nairobi, strengthening Kenya’s role as a driver of climate resilience across the Global South.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, where Ruto declared the new facility a game-changer for climate policy and action in Africa.
“This center is timely. It will support policy development, research, and training aimed at building resilience to climate shocks,” President Ruto said.
The new GCA hub will serve countries across the Global South, complementing the original GCA headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which primarily supports the Global North. The Nairobi-based facility will focus on solutions tailored to local climate realities, while fostering collaboration between policymakers, scientists, and development partners.
The center will cost KSh1.7 billion to construct. According to President Ruto, the full amount is covered by development partners, with no financial burden placed on the Kenyan government.
“The establishment of this hub comes at no cost to Kenyan taxpayers. Yet, it places Kenya at the core of climate adaptation efforts across the region,” he noted.
Ruto emphasized that the hub will integrate climate adaptation into all levels of public service, including leadership training and performance measurement.
“Our ambition is to embed climate adaptation into the public sector training leaders who will act decisively to protect communities from climate threats,” he said.
The Global Centre on Adaptation, founded in 2018 by former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, coordinates international efforts to prepare countries for worsening climate impacts. President Ruto joined the GCA Advisory Board in 2023, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to green development.
Ban Ki-Moon, who attended the event, praised Kenya’s leadership and issued a global call to action.
“This is Africa’s century,” Ban said. “But for Africa to succeed, it must protect itself from climate shocks. In the name of humanity, and the Global South, we must speak with one voice.”
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall, chair of the GCA Supervisory Board, also attended the event. He lauded Kenya’s growing role in shaping international climate policy. GCA President and CEO Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, accompanied him.
Before the event, President Ruto honored Ban Ki-Moon with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart Kenya’s highest award for his global contributions to climate adaptation.
In a related development, Ruto signed the Division of Revenue Bill, 2025, into law. The legislation allocates KSh2.332 trillion to the National Government and KSh415 billion to county governments for the 2025/2026 financial year. It also includes KSh9.6 billion for the Equalisation Fund, which will support critical development projects in 34 marginalized counties.
The county allocation marks an increase of KSh27.6 billion from last year, reflecting what Ruto called “a clear commitment to strengthening devolution and ensuring fair distribution of national resources.”
The launch of the GCA’s African hub positions Kenya as a central force in the fight against climate change, while underscoring the nation’s ambition to lead with action rather than words.
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