Swissport Kenya and NCBA have partnered to support Kenya’s reforestation and climate action efforts through an initiative targeting the growing of 10,000 trees at Uplands Forest Station in Kiambu County.
The initiative, conducted on October 9, 2026, brought together employees, airline partners, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and local communities to promote forest conservation and support long-term environmental sustainability.
The partnership forms part of Swissport Kenya’s Green Skies Kenya programme, with NCBA donating 10,000 tree seedlings to support the exercise. Of these, 5,000 seedlings were planted during the initial activity, while the remaining half will be planted progressively over the coming months.
The phased approach is intended to extend the initiative’s environmental impact and contribute to ongoing forest restoration efforts.
Swissport Kenya Chief Executive Officer Racheal Ndegwa said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it operates.
“At Swissport, we believe that being a responsible business means contributing positively to the communities and environments in which we operate,” Ndegwa said.
She added that the company was using its Green Skies Kenya programme to turn its sustainability commitments into practical action by supporting forest conservation and bringing employees and partners together around a common purpose.
Ndegwa thanked NCBA, the Kenya Forest Service and other participants for contributing to the success of the tree-growing exercise.
The initiative also supports NCBA’s wider sustainability strategy, Change The Story, which targets the growing of 10 million trees by 2030.
NCBA has so far planted more than two million trees through partnerships with government agencies, communities, and private-sector organisations as part of its efforts to advance environmental conservation.
Ann Nderi, NCBA’s Head of Group Sustainability, said collaboration between businesses and other stakeholders was essential in addressing environmental challenges.
“At NCBA, we believe meaningful sustainability requires partnerships and long-term action. Our contribution of 10,000 tree seedlings reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and our ambition to support Kenya’s forest restoration efforts,” Nderi said.
She noted that the bank remained focused on supporting tree-growing initiatives that benefit communities and future generations, adding that sustainability required continuous commitment beyond one-day activities.
The partnership highlights the role of private-sector organisations in complementing national environmental conservation efforts by mobilising resources, engaging employees and supporting community participation in forest restoration.
Beyond planting seedlings, the organisations emphasised the importance of protecting trees and maintaining green spaces to ensure that conservation initiatives deliver lasting benefits.
As Kenya marked Mazingira Day, Swissport Kenya and NCBA encouraged employees, customers, partners, communities and other organisations to embrace tree growing and environmental conservation in their daily activities.
They also urged the public to reduce waste and adopt more sustainable practices, stressing that protecting the environment requires consistent action from individuals, businesses and communities.
The initiative comes as businesses increasingly incorporate environmental responsibility into their operations, with partnerships providing a platform for organisations to contribute to climate action while supporting the restoration of natural ecosystems.
Through the Green Skies Kenya programme and NCBA’s Change The Story platform, the two organisations said they would continue supporting initiatives aimed at creating positive environmental impact and contributing to a greener Kenya.