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Localisation: Nairobi, Kenya

Address: Braeside Gardens, Off Muthangari Rd, Lavington, Nairobi

Date of launch: December 2024

CONTEXT

Kenya faces deep-rooted challenges across the 3ZERO pillars— Zero Carbon, Zero Exclusion, and Zero Poverty— which continue to hinder sustainable development and social equity. The country is one of the most climate-vulnerable in the world: with 80% of its land classified as arid and semi-arid, Kenya experiences rising temperatures, recurrent droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns that put immense pressure on water resources, shrink pasturelands, and intensify competition for grazing areas.

Beyond climate concerns, socioeconomic exclusion and poverty remain pressing issues. With 75% of the population under 35 years old, Kenya has a staggering youth unemployment rate of 38.9%, forcing many into rapidly growing urban centers where infrastructure struggles to keep up. While Kenya ranks 8th in the Global Innovation Index 2023 for Sub-Saharan Africa and 3rd in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024 Africa, many young people still face limited access to economic opportunities.

However, small and medium enterprises drive 35% of the country’s GDP and employ over 80% of the working population, highlighting growing potential for entrepreneurship and innovation.

To address these urgent challenges, bold action is needed to accelerate climate resilience, economic inclusion, and poverty reduction. 3ZERO House Kenya is stepping up as a key driver of locally-driven change, providing a collaborative space for innovation, partnerships, and sustainable solutions that will help shape a more inclusive and climate-resilient future.

ABOUT THE 3ZERO HOUSE

Creating spaces dedicated to innovation

Established in 2024, 3ZERO House Kenya is a vibrant innovation hub in Nairobi dedicated to tackling poverty, social exclusion, and environmental challenges. As part of Acted’s global 3ZERO initiative, it promotes Citizen-Driven Climate Action, Sustainable Infrastructure, Circular Economy, and Inclusive Economic Opportunities through entrepreneurship, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. By offering incubation and acceleration programs, start-up support, workshops, and youth training, 3ZERO House Kenya empowers emerging innovators and connects them with key stakeholders. With a strong focus on climate justice and inclusive economic growth, the hub serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and community groups to co-create climate-smart solutions, driving sustainable development and long-term impact.

Challenges in Kenya

Kenya faces interconnected socio-economic and environmental challenges that require collaborative solutions. While the country has a vibrant innovation ecosystem, gaps remain in inclusion, collaboration, funding, sustainability, and infrastructure, limiting the impact of both the private sector and the humanitarian community, which often operate in silos. Additionally, the green transition must be inclusive, ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from climate adaptation and economic opportunities. Nairobi, a hub for entrepreneurs, tech start-ups, and social enterprises, presents a strong demand for innovation and cross-sector partnerships. With urbanization, youth unemployment and climate challenges are on the rise, 3ZERO House Kenya provides a much-needed space to bridge these gaps — fostering climate-smart entrepreneurship, inclusive economic growth, and partnerships that drive sustainable development.

Inclusive Climate Entrepreneurship Program

Implemented by 3ZERO House Kenya with funding from EIT Climate-KIC and Irish Aid, the Inclusive Climate Entrepreneurship Program is designed to support a new generation of climate innovators by empowering women from climate-vulnerable communities to lead in climate adaptation entrepreneurship. The program will provide 200 women with foundational knowledge on climate change, business skills, and design thinking, while 30 participants will receive mentorship and join a Climate Hackathon. Ultimately, the initiative will accelerate at least five women-led climate startups, ensuring that talented young women from rural communities—among the most affected by climate change—are at the forefront of adaptation efforts and can benefit economically from climate-focused entrepreneurship. This project advances climate justice and inclusive economic opportunities within Kenya’s innovation ecosystem.