Angololo Water Resources Development

The project will improve water security, irrigation, renewable energy access and agricultural productivity for communities in Kenya and Uganda, with an estimated 300,000 beneficiaries. It aligns with national development priorities and has been informed by extensive consultations with communities, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The project is assessing opportunities for private-sector participation and sustainable revenue generation, including user-fee arrangements. Public and development finance are intended to support project preparation and help mobilise additional investment, while the final financing and risk-allocation structure remains under development.

Project costs, liabilities and fiscal risks are expected to be reflected in the public financial systems of Kenya and Uganda. Further work is under way to assess fiscal sustainability, contingent liabilities and long-term funding requirements as the financing structure is developed.

Climate resilience is embedded in the project’s design through water storage, drought management, flood regulation, climate-adjusted water-availability analysis and catchment restoration. The project also supports low-carbon development through mini-hydropower and alignment with the national climate commitments of Kenya and Uganda.

Project preparation includes economic, environmental and social appraisal of the multipurpose infrastructure and its long-term benefits. Competitive procurement, life-cycle costs, performance indicators and operational requirements are expected to be incorporated as the project advances to tendering and implementation.

The project is expected to create local employment and business opportunities during construction and operation. Workforce training, community capacity-building and participation of local contractors and suppliers are planned for later implementation stages.

Project preparation is governed by NELSAP-CU and African Development Bank integrity, audit and procurement requirements. These include external audits, transparent disclosure of procurement information, competitive tendering, confidential bid evaluation and access to whistleblowing mechanisms.

A comprehensive ESIA and management plan address biodiversity, community impacts and mitigation measures. Resettlement and livelihood-restoration plans provide for consultation, compensation at full replacement cost and monitoring, while labour and grievance requirements will apply during implementation.

The project is intended to provide fair and non-discriminatory access to water, irrigation and related infrastructure services across beneficiary communities in Kenya and Uganda. Detailed access conditions will be incorporated into future contracts, tariff arrangements and regulatory frameworks.

The project recognises the need for equal access to employment, consultation and project benefits, including for women and disadvantaged communities. Non-discrimination and zero-tolerance commitments are established, while detailed inclusion targets and action plans should be strengthened before implementation.