KGGTF team members Kwangchul Ji, Senior Economist and Inhye Bak, Operations Analyst recently visited Kenya and Tanzania to review ongoing grant-supported projects, foster collaboration, and identify areas for future development. Over the course of five days, the mission engaged with government agencies, World Bank teams, and local stakeholders, showcasing KGGTF’s continued commitment to advancing green growth solutions in critical sectors like water, sanitation, and transportation.
Kenya: Accelerating Water and Sanitation Initiatives
Tharaka-Nithi Field Visit (January 13)
In Tharaka-Nithi County, the KGGTF team visited the Tunyai Borehole project, a facility providing clean water to over 2,000 residents and key institutions such as schools and health centers. The solar-powered facility is part of Kenya’s broader efforts to achieve universal access to water. While the project has improved community access to water and supported educational outcomes, challenges such as demand exceeding capacity and reliance on weather conditions remain. KGGTF is helping address these issues through technical assistance, capacity building, and county-wide water and sanitation strategies.
Stakeholder Meetings in Nairobi (January 14-15)
The team held several high-level meetings, including with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation. Discussions highlighted how the KGGTF grant has supported water utilities' turnaround strategies, built technical capacities, and aligned with Kenya’s national goals of universal water coverage. Stakeholders expressed gratitude for the fund’s role in advancing sustainable solutions since 2017, while also identifying future needs, such as integrating sanitation components into upcoming projects.
Tanzania: Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Transport and Water Sector Collaboration (January 16–17)
In Tanzania, the mission focused on the intersection of climate resilience and transportation. Key meetings with the World Bank transport team and Tanzanian stakeholders explored how green infrastructure and GIS-based solutions can mitigate flooding impacts along the Dar es Salaam-Isaka railway. KGGTF’s support for real-time flood monitoring, hazard mapping, and capacity-building initiatives aims to enhance the railway’s operational efficiency while promoting sustainability.
Partnerships with KEXIM Bank
The KGGTF delegation also met with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) to discuss opportunities for collaboration in Tanzania and across Africa. KEXIM shared insights on transport sector financing, reinforcing the importance of integrated approaches for green growth and infrastructure development.
Looking Ahead
This mission reaffirmed KGGTF’s critical role in facilitating green growth through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technical support. As projects in Kenya and Tanzania progress, KGGTF will continue to work closely with partners to drive sustainable solutions that address pressing challenges in water, sanitation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.