The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $150 million in new financing for the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway project, under the Kenyan government’s First Mover public-private partnership (PPP) programme.  

What does the project entail?

“The project will see the development of the A8 and A8 South highways. The existing 175 km A8 road from Rironi to Mau Summit will be transformed into a four-lane carriageway and the 57.8 km two-lane A8 South, from Rironi to Naivasha will be strengthened and maintained over a period of 30 years. The roads also form part of the strategic “Northern Corridor” which is the busiest trade and transport corridor in East Africa, providing gateway access to Kenya’s landlocked neighbouring countries,“ said The African Development Bank July 2022 press release.

Reducing trade barriers

Kenya has signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and this highway will help reduce non-tariff barriers to trade and save businesses time and transportation costs.

“Tolling and concessioning of major trade corridors across the African continent is on the rise as the need for connectivity and integration is amplified by the AfCFTA and the need for alternative financing sources through PPPs, to ensure the sustainability and reliability of trade corridors,“ stated Mike Salawou, Bank Acting Senior Director for the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department.

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