NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 22 – Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has today reached the million-tree mark in its initiative to grow 10 million trees by 2030 under its flagship environmental initiative named ‘Much More Than Trees’. The milestone was marked at the AMREF International University campus in Northlands, Ruiru, at a ceremony presided over by Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng – Principal Senior Deputy Director Forest Conservation and Management, Kenya Forest Service.
Launched in 2023, the ‘Much More Than Trees’ initiative is part of DTB’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and its goal of achieving net-zero operations by 2030. Beyond planting trees, the programme emphasises the need to monitor, nurture and grow trees, along with a focus on community livelihood benefits, environmental resilience, and long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the event, DTB Group Chief Executive Officer, Nasim Devji said the bank will accelerate its pace and work with more partners to leverage the expertise and synergies of others with an interest in increasing Kenya’s forest cover.
“At DTB, Sustainability Excellence is one of the key pillars of our business growth strategy and is entrenched in how we do business and get involved in efforts to grow the economy. Tree-growing is key to sustainability, and we are keen on growing rather than just planting trees because the work does not stop when we put seedlings in the ground,” said Ms Devji.
The bank has planted more than one million trees since the start of the initiative in 2023, all of which are being monitored to ensure they are strong enough to grow on their own.
“We named the tree-growing initiative ‘Much More Than Trees’ to capture the purpose and impact that we are keen to achieve because the work goes to deliver environmental value, support livelihoods and communities, and the impact that increased forest cover has on slowing down climate change. These one million trees represent carbon reduction, community empowerment, biodiversity restoration, and hope. And we are only getting started.” added Ms Devji.
To date, the Bank has planted one million trees across schools and tertiary institutions, in collaboration with students, farmers and community members.
With schools, the bank has planted micro forests consisting of fruit trees, which improve access to fresh, healthy food for students and gives them practical learning examples. With farmers from KTDA, the bank has helped plant avocado trees, providing diversified sources of income.
DTB aims to plant and grow 10 million trees by 2030, contributing to Kenya’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign and supporting the country’s ambitions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
