Kenyan startups among recipients of Sh1.62b AirBnB grants
Airbnb has launched its Community Fund to foster economic empowerment and sustainability across the African continent, set to allocate $10 million (approximately Sh1.62b) in grants to various organisations.
This initiative, aligned with Airbnb’s Africa Pledge and driven by collaboration with its hosts, aims to bolster communities, enhance digital access, and promote sustainability in Africa until 2025.
Among the notable recipients of these grants are several Kenyan startups, highlighting the country’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The selected organisations, including A Rocha Kenya, are poised to receive support from Airbnb’s substantial investment.
Established in 2020, the Airbnb Community Fund has pledged to distribute $100 million globally by 2030, with the current allocation representing a significant step towards fulfilling this commitment.
Over 120 nonprofits across 44 countries and six continents will benefit from this year’s fund, with nearly $8 million being distributed through partnerships with Airbnb hosts, who played a pivotal role in identifying organisations addressing critical community needs.
In Africa, recipients such as The Wilderness Foundation Africa and Digify Africa were chosen through a rigorous selection process led by the Airbnb Host Advisory Board, comprising 23 hosts representing the global host community.
Additionally, local Host Clubs, composed of volunteer hosts, collaborated to identify, nominate, and vote on organizations making a tangible impact on their respective communities.
The grants provided by Airbnb’s Community Fund are designed to support both national and regional organisations, addressing societal-level issues identified by the Host Advisory Board, as well as hyperlocal, community-based initiatives chosen by Host Club members.
Dr Andrew Muir, CEO of Wilderness Foundation Africa, expressed gratitude for the contribution, and its role in driving innovative conservation initiatives with lasting impacts.
Similarly, recipients like Digify Africa and Africa Ignite acknowledged the financial support’s potential to expand their reach and enhance their impact on Africa’s digital economy.