Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday, marking the beginning of his four-day official visit to Kenya.
During his visit, Adesina will meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as other senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, Ambassador Ukur Yatani, who serves as the African Development Bank Group's Governor for Kenya.
One of the key highlights of Adesina's visit is the tour of the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway Improvement Project, a crucial component of Kenya's section of the Cape to Cairo trans-Africa highway. The project aims to facilitate intra-Africa trade by upgrading the highway to a two-lane dual carriageway.
The African Development Bank is co-financing the 84 km Kenyan segment of the highway with €178 million, alongside the Africa Growing Together Fund (€31 million) and the Government of Kenya (€49 million).
According to Nnenna Nwabufo, the African Development Bank's Director General for East Africa, the upgraded road will have a significant impact on the Kenyan people, reducing travel time, expanding markets, and boosting rural productivity.
The highway connects Nairobi with major commercial and agriculturally rich towns in central, upper eastern, and northern Kenya, and is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Adesina's visit also includes meetings with members of the diplomatic corps in Kenya and representatives of the Bank's international development partner countries to discuss opportunities for continued collaboration.
The African Development Bank has a long history in Kenya, dating back to 1967, and has committed a total of $6.3 billion to the country, mainly in the energy, transport, agriculture, and social sectors.
