Dams, irrigation and energy projects top the list of ventures identified by the Nile Basin Initiative as necessary to improve the lives of thousands of individuals who depend on the river’s resource.

They projects include the following:

Kenya-Uganda Interconnector (Bujagali-Tororo-Lessos): The $78 million project is being financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), with 50 per cent of the cost to be split between Kenya and Uganda. It comprises a 260km line with a capacity of transmitting 400KV, stepping. Construction is ongoing.

Kenya-Tanzania Interconnector (Nairobi-Arusha-Singida): The project was prepared with financing from the Norwegian government at a cost of $3 million. Once completed, it is expected to transmit 400KV and also enable power exchange of up to 1,000MW. The total cost is $223 million and is to be financed by AfDB and JICA. The tendering and implementation is being done by Kenya and Tanzania.

Ethiopia-Kenya Interconnector: The project was prepared by the governments of Kenya and Ethiopia. Once completed, the project will have the capacity of transmitting 400KV and will be capable of routing an estimated 2,000MW from Ethiopia to Kenya.

The implementation is ongoing and is being conducted by Kenya and Ethiopia. Others are the construction of Uganda-Rwanda interconnector, which is also ongoing. The Tanzania-Zambia interconnector, Uganda-DR Congo interconnector and Uganda-South Sudan interconnector are all at the preparation stage.

Maira dam, Sio-Malaba-Malakisi river system: The $12 million project is expected to help irrigate 3,000 hectares of land and also supply clean water to area residents. The project is being implemented by the Kenya government under the Kenya Climate Growth Resilience Programme Phase II and the World Bank.

Nyatike dam, Gucha Migoru river system: The $300 million project is expected to bring about 20,000 hectares under irrigation and will have a potential of producing 50MW of electricity. A detailed preparation of the project is being done by the Kenyan government with the help of the Nile Basin Initiative.

Yala River Basin System: The Keben dam, which will be constructed on the river basin, was identified by NELSAP. Once completed, the dam is expected to generate 5MW and bring around 1,000 hectares under irrigation. A detailed preparation and implementation plan is being prepared by the Kenyan government.

The estimated cost of the project is $60 million.