The World Bank, via its International Development Association (IDA), has reportedly approved the sum of 750 million dollars (81.4 billion Kenyan Shillings) as funds for Kenya’s North Eastern projects; called the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP).
The project is geared towards creating digital access and connectivity to social services for the more than 3.2 million people who live in the region, while also stepping up the transportation of goods and individuals.
The 750 million dollar funding, will help improve at least 365 kilometres of the 740 kilometre Regional Road Corridor that is the Isiolo to Mandera road. It will also help upgrade about 30 kilometres of spur roads, in addition to the setting up of a fiber optic cable along the 740 kilometre Regional Road Corridor with its spurs to various local communities.
One expected long term benefit, is the improvement of the various measures put in place to further facilitate trade. These measures include systems for border management, as well as border posts.
Another is that it most assuredly, guarantees the provision of basic socio-economic infrastructure for all the communities who live along the Regional Road Corridor, while strengthening emergency response measures should a catastrophe or disaster ever occur.
Investments are also expected to arise from the planned development. These investments will hopefully create jobs, boost domestic and regional trade, as well as increase online opportunities and upgrade information sharing.
The North Eastern Projects are expected to go on for a duration of six (6) years and will be the first in a number of projects intended to support the development of modal links and transport corridors under the Horn of Africa Initiative.
In August 2020 a 150 million dollar credit line was also approved by the World Bank and set aside for the upgrading of living conditions in various informal settlements across Kenya, the improvement of drainage systems, roads, street lighting, as well as sanitation and water.
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