Absa Kenya Foundation Scales Up Mangrove Restoration To 350,000

Absa Kenya Foundation has launched the next phase of its coastal restoration program at the Sabaki Estuary in Malindi, planting an additional 200,000 mangrove trees. This marks a significant scale-up of the initiative launched in 2023, which saw the planting of 150,000 mangrove trees in Jomvu Kuu and Majoreni Forests across Mombasa and Kwale Counties.

The exercise is part of Absa Kenya Foundation’s broader commitment to plant and nurture 10 million trees by 2032, under its Natural Resource Management pillar. Focused on restoring fragile water towers, marine reserves, and forest ecosystems along the coastline, the initiative also contributes to Kenya’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

This ambitious project follows the successful execution of the first phase, which tested the resilience of mangrove trees over the past two years, concluding that mangroves have an 80% survival rate when well-planted and cared for.

Speaking during the commissioning of the second phase of the project, Absa Bank Kenya’s Chief Finance Officer, Yusuf Omari, reiterated the bank’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

“As an active force for good, we care about the communities around us and the environment in which we operate,” said Mr. Omari. “Mangroves play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and protecting coastal communities from natural disasters. Therefore, this initiative will not only enhance the natural beauty of our coastline but also provide numerous environmental benefits such as erosion control, water quality improvement, and the promotion of biodiversity.”

Also known as the ‘lungs of the coastlines’, mangrove trees can play an active role in combating climate crisis by absorbing up to 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂₎ from the atmosphere annually. They can also act as a defence against natural disasters like storms and tsunamis, dissipating wave energy and reducing the impact on vulnerable coastal communities while minimizing the destruction caused by these catastrophic events.

Placing a strong emphasis on community engagement, Absa Bank Kenya has previously partnered with grassroot organisations like Gazi Women Group in Kwale County for environmental initiatives that create inclusive green jobs and promote sustainable livelihoods such as eco-tourism and small-scale aquaculture.

“Preserving and restoring mangroves can help create sustainable development pathways, fostering economic growth while safeguarding the natural heritage,” added Mr. Omari. “Planting of mangrove trees is therefore not a choice, but critical for the health of our planet and the well-being of future generations.”

To date, Absa has partnered with the KFS, Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and local communities to support reforestation efforts in critical catchment areas like the Aberdare Forest, Mau Complex and the Sorget Forest in Kericho County among others.

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