Leveraging public-private partnerships for climate finance: advancing climate-smart agriculture for NDC implementation in Kenya and Senegal

This study investigates how Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) mobilize climate finance and enhance Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Kenya and Senegal. Using a comparative exploratory–normative research design, the research combines document analysis, project reports, and secondary data on PPP investments, CSA adoption, and NDC implementation between 2015 and 2024. Both countries have established enabling environments for private sector engagement, yet their approaches and outcomes differ. In Kenya, comprehensive climate legislation and structured programmes such as the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) enabled PPPs to reach over 600,000 farmers, increase productivity by 40%, and expand solar-powered irrigation systems. Senegal, by contrast, deployed participatory, farmer-focused PPP models that mobilized $50 million, generated carbon credits worth $10 million annually, and supported large-scale agroforestry with 15 million trees planted, although country-level data remain less detailed. Shared challenges include fragmented climate data, limited monitoring systems, and gaps in gender inclusivity. Kenya benefits from legislative coherence and large-scale implementation, whereas Senegal excels in participatory approaches and localized financing. The findings highlight both convergent and divergent lessons, offering practical insights for designing context-sensitive PPP strategies to scale CSA and accelerate NDC achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. To strengthen PPPs in financing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and achieve NDCs, governments should: De-risk CSA through Blended Finance: Combine public, private, and donor funds, concessional loans, climate insurance, and government guarantees to de-risk CSA investments – following Senegal's CNAAS successful model.Leverage International Climate Funds: Strengthen national capacity to access international funds like African Development Bank, Green Climate Fund, and private impact investors, following Senegal's proven approach.Enhance Institutional Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Establish CSA-PPP coordination units and multi-stakeholder platforms – like Kenya's PPP Unit model – to improve accountability, transparency, and cross-sector collaboration in implementing national climate commitments. De-risk CSA through Blended Finance: Combine public, private, and donor funds, concessional loans, climate insurance, and government guarantees to de-risk CSA investments – following Senegal's CNAAS successful model. Leverage International Climate Funds: Strengthen national capacity to access international funds like African Development Bank, Green Climate Fund, and private impact investors, following Senegal's proven approach. Enhance Institutional Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Establish CSA-PPP coordination units and multi-stakeholder platforms – like Kenya's PPP Unit model – to improve accountability, transparency, and cross-sector collaboration in implementing national climate commitments.