Tujenge Pamoja (Let’s build together) is part of the European Union’s SWITCH Africa Green program and is designed to accelerate Kenya’s transition to a circular and inclusive green economy. It combines policy cooperation with direct support to businesses, focusing on sustainability, access to finance, and green job creation.

Moving from the current “take–make–dispose” pattern to the circular economy practices of repair, recycle, re-use.

Our aim

By facilitating Kenya’s shift to an inclusive green economy, the program broadly aims to generate growth, decent jobs, and poverty reduction. Specifically, Tujenge Pamoja wants to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – particularly those led by women, youth, and marginalized groups – adopt sustainable production practices, access green financing, and generate green jobs.

Working on the circular economy in Kenya

In short

Tujenge Pamoja contributes to Kenya’s just transition to a circular economy in several key areas:

  1. It will reduce waste streams and greenhouse gas emissions
  2. It will create quality green jobs and improve livelihoods, particularly for women and youth.
  3. Its conservation and biodiversity protection component will strengthen the resilience of coastal and urban ecosystems.

Capacity building and training will support 3,200 MSMEs and strengthen 40 Business Support Organizations.

Overall, the program contributes to SDGs 8 (Decent Work), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action) and supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

How we work

We work closely with government institutions to strengthen incentive structures, legal frameworks, and monitoring systems, including support for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems aligned with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The program also promotes sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices and circular business models across key value chains.

Capacity building and training will support 3,200 MSMEs (80% micro, 15% small, 5% medium) and strengthen 40 Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to become circular economy training hubs. They will receive tailored training on compliance, innovation, and circular economy principles. And through the “Let’s Go Green Seed Fund,” MSMEs will receive catalytic financing to de-risk investments and adopt circular models.

Finally, the program’s awareness campaigns aim to reach 30 million people with messages that convince them to change their behavior from the current “take – make – dispose” pattern to the circular economy practices of repair, recycle, re-use.

Strategic focus areas

  • Plastics and packaging: reducing pollution and promoting reuse and recycling
  • Organic waste: composting, biogas solutions, and innovations such as Black Soldier Fly composting
  • Textiles: addressing mitumba (imported second-hand clothing) waste and promoting sustainable reuse

Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

The program integrates a strong Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) approach. Half of all MSMEs supported are led by women, and about 60 percent by young people. Ten percent are led by marginalized groups; all include PWDs, refugees, and LGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.

Expected outcomes

  • MSMEs adopt circular business models such as reuse, recycling, composting, and sustainable textiles
  • Increased access to finance and reduced risk perception among financial institutions
  • Strengthened policy compliance aligned with Kenyan and EU circular economy frameworks
  • Enhanced green skills and innovation ecosystems through BSOs and TVETs

  • The program operates in eight hotspot counties:

    Nairobi Metropolitan Area: Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, Makueni
    Pwani Economic Bloc: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale

  • February 2026 to February 2029

  • The program is implemented in partnership with Hivos, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), United States International University, Africa (USIU), KCB Foundation, and SOMO

  • European Union – Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)