The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the government of Kenya on January 27th in Nairobi, Kenya signed loan and protocol grant agreements of US$97 million and US$120 million for the Thwake multi-purpose dam & Outer Ring road projects respectively.

The Nairobi Outer Ring road project involves the improvement of the existing single carriageway road to a 2-lane dual carriageway. The construction will include service roads, grade separated intersections, pedestrians-foot-over bridges, walkways and cycle tracks over the entire length of the road.

The 13-kilometer project, on completion, is expected to directly enhance the traffic circulation and eliminate traffic bottlenecks to various economic activity centers such as the industrial zone, and the vast populous residential areas of Eastlands.

Thwake Multi-purpose Water Development Program (TMWDP) comprises a multi-purpose dam for water supply, hydropower generation and irrigation development. It will also provide regulation of flows on Athi River downstream of the dam for flood and drought mitigation.

The TMWDP targets broad improvement in productivity and livelihoods over a ten-year period, ending 2023. The Program recognizes the symbiotic relationship between Kenya's water secure and water insecure regions by spanning both the lower and higher levels of the economy to ensure national economic growth is both inclusive and sustainable.

Approved in November 2013 by the AfDB board, the two infrastructure projects are part of the Bank's continued commitment to promoting inclusive growth and green economies as part of its 10- year strategy for Africa.

"These partnerships are informed both by the government's priorities for economic development and our vision for Africa as the continent's premier homegrown development financier," said AfDB Director for the Eastern Africa Resource Centre (EARC), Gabriel Negatu