As COP31 opens in Antalya, Türkiye, the question facing negotiators is whether the world’s climate commitments can become projects that actually get built.
For the UAE and Kenya, this is not an abstract debate.
It is the next phase of a partnership with the potential to connect Kenya’s renewable energy resources and development ambitions with Emirati capital, technology and investment expertise.
COP29 established the ambition to scale climate finance for developing countries from public and private sources to at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
COP30 carried that ambition forward through the Baku-to-Belém process, alongside a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035.
These are significant commitments, but their value will ultimately depend on whether countries can translate them into reliable electricity, stronger food systems and more resilient economies.
Kenya is well positioned to demonstrate what this could look like.
Its geothermal resources provide a strong foundation for renewable electricity, while its ambitions in manufacturing, agriculture and digital services create opportunities to turn that energy into wider economic growth.
Realising this potential requires long-term investment and partners able to help projects navigate the technical and commercial challenges between an initial agreement and operation.
This is where the United Arab Emirates can make a meaningful contribution.
The UAE brings experience in developing renewable energy, financing infrastructure and applying technology to challenging environments.
For Kenya, these capabilities offer a basis for cooperation that extends beyond funding individual assets to supporting the industries and services that depend on them.
Geothermal energy is one promising area.
Dubai-based AMEA Power has been pursuing development at Paka, working through the processes needed to establish a viable power project.
Kenya’s wider geothermal pipeline, including the phased development envisaged at Suswa, illustrates the scale of the opportunity for investors with the expertise and appetite to support long-term energy infrastructure.
The significance extends beyond electricity generation.
Reliable geothermal power could support industrial parks, processing facilities and digital infrastructure, giving Kenya a stronger platform for investment and employment.
Emirati participation can help connect these opportunities, bringing energy development into a broader conversation about economic transformation.
The digital sector offers an example of that ambition.
Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based G42 announced an initiative in 2024 that included a planned geothermal-powered data centre at Olkaria.
The proposal highlighted the potential to combine Kenya’s renewable resources with international expertise in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Delivering such....
