Kenya unveils green bonds market

Kenya has launched a frameworks that allows the issuance of listed and unlisted green bonds. A green bond is a fixed income instrument whose proceeds are used to finance or refinance projects which generate climate or other environmental benefits that conform to green guidelines and standards.

Issuers of unlisted or listed green bonds in Kenya will be required to appoint an independent verifier to conduct a pre-issuance review and confirm to the investors, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in the case of listed green bonds, that the issuance is eligible to be classified as a green bond in line with green guidelines and standards. The procedures for listing of green bonds on the NSE are outlined in the NSE Listing Rules, which have been amended appropriately.

The launch of the green bonds market has been embedded in the legal framework through the publication of a Policy Guidance Note (PGN) on Issuance of Green Bonds and the approval of amendments to the NSE Listing Rules by CMA.

‘Over the next five years and beyond, green instruments will play an important but niche role in driving the growth of Kenya’s capital markets, in line with the Marrakech Pledge which calls for an increase in the volume, flow and access to finance for climate projects, alongside improved capacity and technology from developed to developing countries,’ CMA Chief Executive Paul Muthaura observed during the launch on Wednedsay. He further noted that the NSE and CMA were among the founder signatories of the Pledge during the 22nd Conference of Parties in Morocco.

The amendments to the NSE Listing Rules will enable the Exchange to mobilize domestic resources and international capital flows earmarked exclusively for environmentally beneficial investments to support the country’s transition to a sustainable economy. Additionally, this will enable investors balance financial returns with environmental benefits whilst hedging against climate policy risk.

Speaking during the launch, NSE Chief Executive Geoffrey Odundo said the approval of the amendments to our Listing Rules to facilitate issuance of green bonds will enable the NSE offer local and international issuers additional source of green financing, improve investor diversification as well as enhance issuer reputation thus leading to growth in our market.

“The approval also underscores our commitment to continue offering investors with a wide variety of investments instruments for their varied investments needs,” he said.

The launch of the regulatory framework is a culmination of the work undertaken by The Green Bond Programme established in 2017, whose aim was to develop a domestic green bond market. The partners in the Programme include; The National Treasury and Planning, Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Bankers Association, NSE, CMA, Climate Bonds Initiative, Financial Sector Deepening Africa and Dutch Development Bank FMO.

“The new Green Bond Guidelines, launched by NSE and CMA provide confidence to investors and certainty to issuers of green bonds in Kenya. At a time when the pipeline of issuers is strong, FSD Africa is pleased to have supported this process – a milestone for the green bonds market in Africa,” Mark Napier, Director, FSD Africa.

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According to the Green Bonds Kenya Annual Report for 2018, the green bond market globally has grown tremendously with issuances totaling $155.5 billion in 2017 and an estimated $250-$300 billion in 2018. Kenya’s economy is highly dependent on its natural resources with more than 50% of the country’s GDP attributable to sectors that are directly or indirectly reliant on natural resources. This dependence exposes Kenya to the risk of climate change, adverse weather conditions and related environmental risks.