Multipurpose water resources development project on the transboundary Malaba River at the border between Kenya and Uganda in the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) River Basin (Lake Victoria sub-basin). Features a 40-metre-high composite dam with 31.6 million cubic metre reservoir, a 1.3 MW mini-hydropower plant (with potential for an additional 20 MW via floating solar pontoons), a 4,000-hectare irrigation scheme (1,180 ha Kenya, 2,820 ha Uganda), water supply system for over 270,000 people, fisheries and aquaculture programme, and restoration of 30% of the degraded 447 km² watershed. Flood protection for downstream communities also included. The project was first identified in 2010 under the NELSAP SMM River Basin Management project, with feasibility studies, ESIA, resettlement plan, and detailed designs completed by July 2022 at a cost of USD 1.83 million.
PIDA Code
W.30.02
Project Status
Active
Project Stage
Transaction Support & Financial Close
Completion Percentage
0
Sector Name
Water
Subsector Name
Water Supply
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Landmark bilateral project launched April 16-17 2025 at Busia Breeze Hotel, Busia County, Kenya, signed by Kenya Cabinet Secretary Eng. Erick Muriithi and Uganda State Minister Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim. Funded by AfDB (USD 132.15M) and NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund. Total project: USD 137M including USD 4.77M for land acquisition and resettlement. Operational start: 2030. NELSAP-CU Regional Coordinator Dr. Isaac Alukwe and NBI Executive Director Dr. Florence Adongo confirmed at launch. Uganda submitted formal AfDB financing request; Kenya Cabinet approved early 2024. Bilateral steering committee with RPSC led by Ms. Gladys Wekesa (Kenya) and Mr. Jackson Twinomujuni (Uganda).
Description
Capex Cost
137.00USD million
Preparation Cost
0.50
Revenue Model
Revenue from irrigation services, water supply, and hydropower generation
Project Risk
Implementation and coordination risks
Countries
Kenya, Uganda
Stakeholders
Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program
Start Date
Date Created Raw
Updated Date