African Development Bank's mid-term review reaffirms strategic partnership priorities in Kenya · 2024-2028 Country Strategy Paper review confirms strategic priorities remain relevant as Bank outlines measures to accelerate outcomes through 2028.
The African Development Bank Group has reaffirmed its development priorities for Kenya after a recent mid-term review found its five-year strategy for the country remains on track, while flagging new measures to sharpen results before 2028.
The Bank completed a country mission in early March to assess progress under its 2024-2028 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Kenya. The review was conducted in consultation with Kenya's government ministries, departments and agencies, private sector representatives, development partners, civil society organisations, and Bank staff.
The evaluation confirmed the continued relevance of the CSP's core priorities: boosting private sector-led growth through infrastructure development and policy reforms, alongside investments in human capital development. Discussions also identified measures to accelerate implementation and results during the remaining CSP period.
"This mid-term review confirms that our engagement in Kenya is fully aligned with national priorities aimed at lifting people out of poverty," said Caroline Ntumwa, the Bank's country economist for Kenya and task manager for the review. "The keyword is relevance: the areas where the Bank is intervening are aligned with the country's development needs, underscoring the importance of our support in fostering sustainable development." "This mid-term review confirms that our engagement in Kenya is fully aligned with national priorities aimed at lifting people out of poverty," said Caroline Ntumwa, the Bank's country economist for Kenya and task manager for the review. "The keyword is relevance: the areas where the Bank is intervening are aligned with the country's development needs, underscoring the importance of our support in fostering sustainable development."
"We will continue to remain responsive and provide timely support in line with the Government's priorities," Ntumwa added.
The Bank team, led by Alex Mubiru, Director General for East Africa, presented the review's findings to Kenya's National Treasury. He noted that Kenya is navigating a tight fiscal space while facing mounting climate and urban pressures, as well as high youth unemployment. These challenges underscore the need for targeted investments and reforms to sustain growth and expand economic opportunity.
Kenya's National Treasury delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary, echoed that urgency. Amos Cheptoo, Director of Resource Mobilisation, [CN1.1]stressed the importance of ensuring that young people are integrated across all sectors of the economy. "All sectors need to speak to the youth and create opportunities that enable them to participate meaningfully in economic development," he said.
During the consultations, stakeholders assessed the performance of projects across transport, energy, water and sanitation, technical and vocational training, and agricultural value chains. They examined how Bank-supported interventions have contributed to improved connectivity, stronger food security, and expanded access to reliable and affordable energy. They also reviewed progress in mobilising private sector investment and leveraging partnerships with other development institutions.
Held alongside the mid-term CSP review, a two-day Country Portfolio Performance Review workshop brought together more than 200 representatives from project implementing units. led by Sam Kamara, Regional Programme Officer for East Africa, the session assessed the implementation performance of Bank-financed projects and discussed measures to improve portfolio outcomes, including key challenges affecting effective project delivery.
Insights from the two reviews will inform adjustments to the CSP's implementation approach through 2028. The updated framework will sharpen the focus on high-impact operations, strengthen coordination with the government and partners, and help ensure that Bank-financed activities deliver measurable development outcomes.
