A sum of Sh 40bn has been pledged by the World Bank to support the Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway project in Kenya. The global financier, is expected to approve the release of the funds in the 2023/24 financial year.
The proposed Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit highway project is part of Government of Kenya’s (GoK) First Mover Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. The project is procured as a 30-year PPP concession for improvement and upgrade of two main highways in Kenya – A8 and A8 South, mainly located in the Kiambu and Nakuru counties.
Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway project
The project comprises: widening of the 175km four-lane dual carriageway and Operation & Maintenance of the existing A8 road from Rironi to Mau Summit and strengthening and O&M of the existing 57.8 km 2 lane A8 South from Rironi to Naivasha. The Bank has taken the E&S Coordinator role (with IFC) for this project. It is considering to provide a senior loan of up to USD150 million (UA107million) ADB NSO loan with a 20-year tenor and 3.5 years (42 months) grace period during construction.
The Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway project will be undertaken by Rift Valley Highway Limited (RVHL), a consortium led by Vinci Highways and Meridian. The company has already signed a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer contract with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
“Planned new bank lending include a possible IDA partial risk project guarantee on the $1.5 billion Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Toll Road with IFC participating as an investor,” the World Bank said.