The World Bank Board on Tuesday approved Kenya’s KSh81 billion financing for the roads and ICT projects in North Eastern region.
The Ksh81 billion will fund the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP).
The funds will be used to upgrade 365 km of the 740-km Isiolo-Mandera road and a further 30 km of spur roads.
Besides upgrading of road transport in northern Kenya, there will be laying of a fibre optic cable along the region which will enhance the installation of border management systems.
These funds will open up trade in Northern Kenya and see more border posts put up whilst providing day to day socio-economic infrastructure for residents living along this corridor.
According to the World Bank, the development of the corridor will boost the economy of the region by opening it up to investors.
Key in World Bank’s radar is job creation, ease in domestic and regional trade, improved levels of information sharing and better access to the internet.
“Promoting equal opportunities across the country and linkages in the sub-region will strengthen Kenya’s transformation from a low middle income to a middle-income country by 2030,” Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director for Kenya said in a statement.
Hansen averred that the World Bank shares in government’s effort towards shared responsibility.
“We believe that this investment envisioned as a backbone project under the North and North Eastern Development Initiative will contribute significantly to the Government’s efforts to ensure shared prosperity.”
Security which has been a thorn in the flesh along the northern corridor will be enhanced, Josphat Sasia, Lead Transport Specialist and Task Team Leader he said.
Further, 3.2 million people in the region will feel more included and equity will be realized in an area where communities feel marginalized and underserved.
“Successful implementation of the project will require the support of the leadership and communities of the region,” he said.
