Project Showcase

The Bedden Hydropower plant is a flagship initiative by the government of South Sudan. It is situated approximately 65km upstream from Juba. The scheme targets an installed capacity of around 540 - 570 MW. First mapped out in detailed energy-sector roadmaps from around 2009, Bedden was identified as a key long-term priority alongside other major hydropower sites on the Bahr El Jebel such as Fula, Lakki, and Shukoli. The project underwent feasibility and environmental impact assessments, and a conceptual EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) was prepared in 2013. The plant design envisions a 32m high concrete gravity dam reaching a height of roughly 65m with a reservoir crest length of around 5km and an effective hydraulic head of approximately 30m. Once operational, it would substantially alleviate grid constraints in and around Juba and possibly feed power into the broader national grid and regional interconnections.

The Semliki River is part of the Nile River Basin with two thirds of its course being in the DRC and the lower third forming the boundary between the DRC and Uganda. Great Lakes Region is characterized by a shortage of indigenous energy sources and highly skewed relationships of dependency regarding energy imports Less than 10% of the population has access to electricity. The region is thus heavily dependent on oil imports Currently, majority of the population of Eastern DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda relies on bio-fuels such as wood The power demand for the cities of Beni, Butembo and surroundings will be supplied from a hydropower station on the Semliki River with a capacity of 72 MW. It will need a step-up transformer MV/HV or MV; including the construction of the distribution network. The Semliki hydropower station would serve mainly the towns of Béni and Butembo as well as the rural areas located around these towns. The available reserve could be exported to the Great Lakes Region with an interconnection grid. The Semliki is one of four (the others are Mogomba, Muyama and Kiyimbi) proposed hydropower projects, packaged to have potential capacity of 150MW, generating annual energy production of 800 GWh. A hydropower station on the Semuliki River of 72 MW; - power distribution network low and high voltage in the towns of Beni and Butembo and surroundings. The distribution network is envisaged to be a Medium Voltage network. Béni and Butembo will be served by 30 kV lines from the substation at the Semliki plant. Butembo has already a network LV and MV linked to its own hydropower station. However its network will be adapted to the parameters of the Semliki project (distribution voltage 30 kV, distribution 6.6 kV) and will in some cases be extended. A high voltage transmission line (220kV) from Goma - Butembo - Béni whose feasibility is complete will also be constructed to evacuate the generation from Semuliki.Dated studies suggested the project would cost USD 900m. Several areas that require particular attention have been noted in previous studies including: Improvement of hydrological data and modelling, economic modelling to determine viability, comprehensive ESIA to address potentially large environmental challenges, the actual geological conditions, layouts and designs. A budget of USD 6m has been included in the phase of the NEL-IP for the required studies to define the project better.

Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project (RRFHP) Development Objective is to increase the supply of electricity to the national grids of Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. It Comprises of construction of an 80 MW power plant including the associated generation substation. The project is jointly financed by the Governments of Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania with credits and grants totaling to USD 340 million equivalent for the Civil Works and Electromechanical Works. AfDB parallel-financing is associated with the transmission lines to each of the three countries at a cost of USD 121 Million. These include 220kV transmission lines double circuit running 161 km from the power plant to Gitega substation in Burundi, 119km double circuit line from the Power plant to Shango sub-station in Rwanda and 98.2 km double circuit line from the power plant to Nyakanazi sub-station in Tanzania.The project has the following components CP1 (Civil Works); CP2 (Electromechanical works); Livelihoods Restoration Program (LRP); and Local Area Development Program (LADP). Out of the USD 340 million, the budget breakdown for each of the component is as follows: (i)LADP allocation is USD 15 million (USD 5 million for each country (Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania); (ii)LRP allocation is about USD 711,612 (only for PAPs); and (iii)The remaining is for CP1, CP2, OE, and PIU operations.The three governments mandated and entrusted Nile Basin Initiative /Nile Equatorial lakes Subsidiary Action Program Coordination Unit (NBI/NELSAP CU) to coordinate the implementation of the project. The Nile Basin Trust Fund (NBTF) financed the Feasibility and Design Studies to a tune of USD 7.72 million. The studies were carried out from 2005 and completed in 2013. The studies were undertaken by NBI/NELSAP CU. The Project was approved by the World Bank in 2014; procurement of CP1 Contractor and CP2 Contractor was started in 2015 and completed and Contracts signed on 9th November, 2016; mobilization for construction works started in December 2016/January 2017; and the project completion date is 2021.

This Project is located in Western Kenya. The dam is intended to provide flood controls, irrigation development and hydropower generation. The project includes a 155 Mm3 dam, 20MW electricity, 30,000ha of irrigation, up to 86,400m3 /d water supply, benefitting 1.152m people. Detailed feasibility and design studies have been done for this project and it now requires implementation, estimated at USD 393.7m over 3 years, which has been included in NEL-IP.

The Mara River Basin Project contributes to improved living conditions of the basin communities by creating an enabling environment for sustainable development-oriented investments and building capacity of riparian staff and communities in integrated water resources management and development. The project is preparing several investment proposals in the fields of water infrastructure, watershed management and irrigation infrastructure for subsequent funding within a consistent basin development strategy. This primarily irrigation project includes the Borenga Dam, will benefit 100,000 people, irrigate 8,340Ha in 13 villages of Serengeti and Butiama Districts, 2.85MW hydropower, water supply to 18 villages in Serengeti, Butiama and Tarime Districts in Tanzania.

The Ruvyironza Multipurpose Water Resources Development Project (PIDA Code: BIP_NELSAP_017) is a major infrastructure initiative in Burundi. The project's core component is the construction of a multipurpose dam on the Ruvyironza River, a tributary of the Kagera River. The primary purposes are irrigation, hydropower generation, and water supply. The dam is expected to create a reservoir with a surface area of approximately 11 square kilometers, inundating about 11 km of the Gitega-Ngozi highway, the Kibaya Bridge, and the Kibaya river gauge. The project scope includes: 1) Development of 14,674 hectares of irrigated agriculture across five provinces (Cankuzo, Gitega, Karuzi, Muyinga, Ruyigi); 2) Installation of a 22 MW hydropower plant; 3) Provision of water for municipal and livestock supply, and aquaculture; 4) Catchment restoration activities upstream of the dam (covering a 1,999 km2 area) to address land degradation. The project preparation phase, managed by the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), includes comprehensive feasibility studies, detailed design, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), and tender document preparation.

The Kabuyanda Water Resources Development Project, renamed Kabuyanda Irrigation Scheme, is located in Isingiro and Ntungamo Districts in south-western Uganda. The project area is characterized by fluctuating rainfall and with up to four months of little to no rainfall. The proposed project consists of a dam (Kabuyanda dam) and an irrigation scheme. The dam is a 33 m high earth-fill dam on the Mishumba River with a 8.8 MCM reservoir and 90 km2 drainage area. The dam will be located approximately 5 km north-west of Kabuyanda Town, and will submerge an area of 100 ha within the Rwoho Central Forest Reserve (CFR). The irrigation area served by the dam is expected to cover 3,300 ha.Funded under the World Bank-funded Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project (ICRP). In 2019, the design of the original project was revised to simplify management and reduce the project costs, and the ESIA and RAP (including all required documentation like the Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) and Dam Safety Management Plan (DSMP)) were accordingly revised and updated. Dam utilization options were also re-assessed and the option of irrigation development alone, which excludes hydropower, domestic uses and livestock uses, was recommended and selected for implementation.

The Lakes Edward and Albert Basin supports over 14 million people who depend on fisheries, agriculture, transport, and diverse ecosystem services. The basin faces severe pressures from population pressures, poverty, limited social services and infrastructure, and unsustainable resource use. LEAF I and II made progress, but basin-wide challenges—including overfishing, declining biodiversity, catchment degradation, water-quality deterioration, climate impacts, and institutional weaknesses—remain significant. The Project Development Objective is to ensure the sustainable management, development, and utilization of fisheries and water resources in the basin, enhancing biodiversity, economic growth, and community livelihoods. There are five components: (i) Fisheries Resources Management and Development—strengthening monitoring, rebuilding stocks, aquaculture, improving landing-sites, and alternative livelihoods. (ii) Integrated Water Resources Management—expanding monitoring networks, implementing catchment plans, improving pollution control, and access to safe water and sanitation; (iii) Navigation and Maritime Safety to enhance safe, efficient water transport. (iv) Control of Invasive Aquatic Weeds—coordinated surveillance, prevention, and management of invasive species. (v) Project Coordination and Management— operationalization of an effective permanent transboundary basin institution--strengthened cooperation for shared benefits

The Ngono Valley project (located in the western shores of Lake Victoria and shared by the Districts of Bukoba Rural and Missenyi) will develop a multipurpose reservoir, net irrigated agriculture of approximately 5,825 ha, generation of hydropower, as well as contribute towards sustainable land management of endangered sub-catchments in the Ngono River Basin. The proposed projects are part of the investment projects advanced by Tanzania to the NELSAP for projects preparation and which were prioritized through the NEL Multi-Sector Investment Opportunity Analysis. The project has been phased into two stages as follows: The project includes command areas and a canal for small scale farmers (stage 1), followed by stage 2 which includes a 17m high, 268 MCM Dam, Hydropower plant with installed capacity 1.65MW, mean annual energy production 8.7GWh, irrigation command areas for small- and large-scale farming and will have 100,000 beneficiaries including water supply to 23 villages in Missenyi and Bukoba Districts on the western shores of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Feasibility studies, detailed design, ESIA have been done, and the project is now seeking implementation funding of USD 243m.

The Uganda (Nkenda) - DR Congo (Beni-Butembo-Bunia-Mabuki) Power Transmission Inter-Connection Project is a strategic regional infrastructure initiative aimed at constructing a 400 kV double-circuit high voltage transmission line spanning 352.2 km, linking Nkenda substation in Kasese, Western Uganda, to new substations at Beni, Butembo, Bunia and Mabuki in the North Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project includes upgrading the Nkenda substation and aims to integrate the isolated and eastern DRC power grid with Uganda's national grid, thereby enhancing electricity reliability, security, and access in the region. It supports optimal utilization of generation resources, promotes regional power trade, and facilitates least-cost power expansion projects, contributing to socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. Sponsored by the Nile Basin Initiative/Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NBI/NELSAP), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), and Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), the project is aligned with the East African Power Pool (EAPP) Master Plan to create a regional power highway which aims to maximise the affordable availability of electricity around the region. Increasing power trade is key to this aspiration.

Construction of a transmission line that connects the power networks of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. This project includes the section of 905km Zambian section of the 2,800km ZTK interconnector from Kabwe-Pensulo-Nakonde-Kasama in Zambia to Tunduma in Tanzania. The project was envisioned to be implemented in two phases starting with the Kabwe-Pensulo-Kasama-Nakonde section and the second phase would have comprised the Kabwe-Pensulo-Mpika-Kasama section. It will have had a capacity of 500MW, upgradable to 2000MW depending on power demand. The original concept for the ZTK Interconnector was a high voltage 330 kV transmission line going from Pensulo (Zambia) to Nairobi (Kenya) with three connection points in Tanzania (Mbeya, Singida and Arusha). At that time, Tanzania grid was operated at 220 kV. The original concept of the ZTK Interconnector has been replaced, by two interconnections between two national grids: the Kenya-Tanzania Interconnection and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnection.

The Nsongezi Hydropower Project is a proposed run-of-river scheme on the Kagera River, located along the border between Uganda and Tanzania. The project is also regionally relevant, with potential power supply benefits to Rwanda. Although the project features a 20m high concrete dam on the Kagera River, reservoir storage and operation is such that the scheme effectively operates as a run-of-river scheme. The main role of the reservoir is to balance energy production gains with minimized environmental and social impacts. The hydropower plant will consist of an open-air powerhouse on the Ugandan side of the river, equipped with three vertical Kaplan turbines. Positioned downstream of the Kikagati Power Station, Nsongezi aims to fully utilize the hydropower potential of this 25 km stretch of the Kagera River. Turbine discharge is expected to be in the range of 220-250 m³/s, Power evacuation will be via a 35 km, 132 kV transmission line connecting the plant to Uganda's Mirama Hills substation. The project is included in Uganda's Second National Development Plan (NDPII) for the 2015/16 - 2019/20 period. It is also included in NELSAP's Investment Strategy Action Plan (2012).

The South Sudan (Renk) - South Sudan (Malakal) 220 kV High Voltage Power Transmission Interconnector project is located in the Upper Nile region, connecting the town of Renk in South Sudan border with Sudan to Malakal in South Sudan. The South Sudan (Renk) - South Sudan (Malakal) 220 kV High Voltage Power Transmission Interconnector project involves the construction of a 220 kV transmission line approximately 320 km long, connecting the town of Renk in Sudan to Malakal in South Sudan. This interconnection aims to facilitate the import of up to 140 MW of electricity from Sudan to South Sudan, addressing the latter's critical power supply shortages and enhancing regional energy security. The project includes the development of associated substations and distribution infrastructure in South Sudan's Upper Nile State to improve electricity access and reliability for local communities. It forms part of the Nile Basin Initiative's efforts to promote regional power trade and integration within the Eastern Africa Power Pool framework, supporting socio-economic development and stability in the border regions.

The project will construct a dam of about 30 metres on the Malaba River at the Kenya-Uganda border, creating a reservoir of roughly 31 million cubic metres. The scheme is designed to supply potable water to approximately 270,000 people, irrigate about 4,000 hectares, generate 1.3 MW of hydropower, support fisheries and livestock, regulate floods and droughts, and restore the associated upstream watershed. NELSAP-CU of the Nile Basin Initiative has coordinated the joint preparation process for Kenya and Uganda.

The Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWDP) is located on the trans-boundary Malaba River that is between Kenya and Uganda and it falls within the Sio-Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin within the Lake Victoria sub basin. The Angololo project was identified by Kenya and Uganda in collaboration with Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) through its Sio Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin Management (RBM) project. NELSAP-CU conducted its prefeasibility studies in 2010 with grant financing from the Royal Government of Sweden and the Royal Government of Norway. Following this identification study, the Governments of Kenya and Uganda formally requested NELSAP to integrate it into its pipeline of natural resources projects for further appraising and development. The project was approved during the 18th Nile Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers (NELCOM) meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda on 13th October 2015 and was included into the African Development Bank (AfDB) pipeline (IOP) for the year 2016 – 18 to seek possible funding support. NELSAPCU/NBI was mandated in the signed MOU between Uganda and Kenya to support in mobilization of resources for preparation of the investment project. NELSAPCU approached AfDB Eastern Africa Regional Centre (EARC) for funding to undertake preparation studies. The project studies will consist of the following components: • Feasibility Study, Detailed Design and Preparation of Tender Documents; • Independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) • Stakeholder engagements to validate project study outputs. Once proven economically viable, the project studies will proceed to Detailed Designs (DD), and preparation of tender documents.

This project involved construction of water supply and sanitation systems, improving solid waste and storm water management, improving watershed management, improving urban planning and building capacity of urban authorities in 15 secondary towns in the Lake Victoria Basin. This project intends to meet the Millennium Development Goals and support secondary urban centers in the Lake Victoria Basins to contribute to the reversal of the pollution of the lake through improvements of sustainable water supply and sanitation infrastructure in 15 secondary towns within the Lake Victoria Basin. The selected towns were across East Africa countries with Burundi having 3 towns that included: Ngozi, Muyinga and Kayanza. In Kenya, Keroka, Kericho and Isebania were among the towns while in Rwanda, Kayonza, Nyagatare and Nyanza were identified. Tnazania had Geita, Sengerema and Nansio towns added while Uganda had Mayuge, Buwama-Kayabwe-Bukakata and Ntungamo. The implementation was launched in 2011 with approx. 110 MUSD grant funding from the African Water Facility. This component of LVWATSAN was called LVWATSAN Phase II. Africa Development Bank entered into a Contribution Agreement with UN-HABITAT to offer Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Programme. MWAUWASA was delegated to take the role of implementing authority for the 3 Tanzanian towns; Geita, Sengerema and Nansio, financed by AfDB.  The water supply has been improved for 784,470 residents of beneficiary towns across the Partner States.

The Ethiopia (Gambela) - South Sudan (Malakal) Power Transmission Line - Phase 1 project is located in the transboundary corridor connecting the Gambela region in southwestern Ethiopia to Malakal in South Sudan. It involves constructing a 357 km, 220400 kV transmission line connecting the Gambela region in Ethiopia to Malakal in South Sudan. This interconnection aims to facilitate the export of 100800 MW of electricity from Ethiopia to South Sudan initially, with plans to gradually increase power imports up to 4001000 MW, thereby addressing South Sudan's critical electricity demand while generating revenue for Ethiopia. The project includes conducting feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and resettlement action plans, with construction expected to commence within two years following study completion. It is part of a broader regional effort to enhance electricity trade, grid integration, and energy security between the two countries, supported by a joint technical committee to oversee implementation and future expansions, including a planned 700-kilometer line from Ethiopia's Tepi distribution centre to Juba, South Sudan's capital.

The Kakono hydropower site is located on the Kagera River, Northwest Tanzania near the border with Uganda. As a key component of Tanzania's energy strategy, Kakono offers a strategic opportunity for expanding renewable energy, enhancing grid stability, and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. This run-of-river site, downstream among the potential locations on the Kagera River, aligns with national development goals. The Project will entail the construction of a concrete-faced rockfill dam (42 m high and 1,380 m long) and a gravity roller-compacted concrete dam (61 m high and 284 m long) producing a hydropower potential exploited through a powerhouse at the toe of the dam. The limited live reservoir storage volume of 90 Mm3 will allow the option of daily regulation of the river flow when necessary. The power plant will comprise two Kaplan turbines, each with a capacity of 43.9MW and a maximum combined discharge of is 3,16m3/s. The project will also include a 38.5 km long 220 kV transmission line to the existing substation at Kyaka and will be managed by Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO). Preparations are well advanced and include a detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), completed in 2022.

The project area covers the Akanyaru marshland, the Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru and their watersheds shared by Rwanda and Burundi, and is located in the Akanyaru sub-basin and the downstream Nyabarongo sub-basin, both being part of the Kagera sub-basin shared by Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. The project area has experienced a steady decline in the level of ecosystem services from being the food basket of Rwanda and Burundi in the 1960s with widespread forest area and plenty of rainfall to its current status of frequent drought, soil erosion and lack of grazing land. The objective of this project is to enhance: Co-ordination, sustainable development, management and utilization of the Lakes Cyohoha, Rweru, Akanyaru marshland environment, including water and fisheries resources production Contribute to poverty reduction and the reversal of environmental degradation in the Bugesera region shared by Rwanda and Burundi, especially in the Rweru and Cyohoha lakes basins and Akanyaru marshland. The project aims to develop 4,200ha irrigated land; 2.5 million agroforestry trees; 765ha riverbank & lake shores protected; restocking of 2 lakes; support to 9 fishermen cooperatives; 1 million beneficiaries including 4,500 fisher folks and improved capacity of more than 6,500 farmers. In more detail: Integrated Agriculture and Watershed Development and Management: Nearly 2,000 ha of irrigated land set up with hillside irrigation techniques and effective marshland management, more than 6,500 farmers with improved capacities on improved seeds, dairy cows and post-harvest infrastructures Watershed management: Mechanisms and capacities for joint water monitoring and management in place and operational, Protection of 765 ha of lakeshores and Akanyaru riverbanks with fodder grass, agroforestry, fruit, bamboo and indigenous tree species. Conservation of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity through restoration of lakes shores, spawning sites and catchments and joint mechanisms for fishery and water resources monitoring and management Fisheries Resources Development and Management: Restock of the 2 lakes with 1,000,000 tilapia fingerlings, support construction of fishery infrastructures and strengthen capacities of 9 fishermen cooperatives and key stakeholders for sustainable fishery development. Regional Integration and peace building through harmonized policies frameworks Capacity building and development: Capacity building for alternative livelihood and by commodity chain of 4,500 beneficiaries from fishery, farmers and agriculture cooperatives, 50% being women. Leading to poverty reduction and improved food security. This component also specifically addresses knowledge generation and dissemination systems to monitor specific risks and threats, notable climate change and variability. The project is ready for implementation and requires funding of USD 95m over 4 years implementation to enable the project to become financially self-sufficient.

The Nyimur/Limur multipurpose water resources project is a transboundary project located in the Aswa Basin covering parts of Lamwo District, Uganda and Magwi Country, Eastern Equatorial State, South Sudan. The location coordinates are 3.560042°N, 32.361010°E. The project comprises of several components, including a community-based irrigation scheme, a dam and water reservoir, a water and soil conservation component and flood control component. The core scheme of the project consists of a 26 m head dam on the Nyimur River, a mini hydropower plant with a 350 kW capacity; and development of 5,105 ha for paddy rice irrigation. The project is expected to benefit 12,000 people from the two countries. The preparatory studies (2015-2019) included feasibility studies for community-based irrigation, hydropower generation, and watershed management; an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA); and preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). At the project end in 2019, a roundtable donors meeting was held to mobilize resources for the implementation phase. Project preparation activities were funded through a EUR 1.975 million grant from the AfDB, with EUR 0.587 million co-funding from NELSAP-CU and EUR 34,608 in in-kind support from the countries.

The Taba-Gakomeye Multipurpose Water Resources Development Project is a planned infrastructure project in the Nile Equatorial Lakes Region, specifically in Burundi. Its primary purpose is to develop a multi-purpose reservoir on the Ruvyironza River to address water scarcity, enhance food security, and support socio-economic development. The project scope includes the construction of a dam and reservoir for irrigation, domestic water supply, livestock watering, and potentially hydropower generation. It is designed to regulate river flow, mitigate floods, and improve water availability for surrounding communities and agricultural activities. The project is part of the broader Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) under the Nile Basin Initiative.

Angololo Water Resources Development Project (AWDP) is located on the transboundary Malaba River shared by Kenya and Uganda and falls within the Sio-Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin of the Nile Basin. The project consists of a proposed 30 m high dam with a reservoir capacity of 43.0 MCM and hydropower generation capacity of 1.75 MW. The dam will supply potable water to 20,000 people and irrigate 3,300 hectares (1,180 ha in Kenya and 2,120 ha in Uganda). The project also includes rehabilitation of the 430 km2 watershed upstream of the dam. In total the Angololo Water Resources Development Project is expected to benefit at least 127,300 people from Tororo, Manafwa, and Namisindwa districts in Eastern Uganda and Busia and Bungoma Counties in Kenya through employment creation, irrigated agriculture, piped water supply, hydropower generation, and livestock and fisheries production. The Angololo project was identified by Kenya and Uganda in collaboration with NELSAP-CU under the Sio Malaba Malakisi (SMM) River Basin Management (RBM) project. NELSAP-CU conducted its prefeasibility studies in 2010 with grant financing from the Royal Government of Sweden and the Royal Government of Norway. Feasibility studies (including detailed designs, ESIA and RAP studies and stakeholder engagement) commenced in 2019 with a US$ 1.5 million grant from NEPAD-IPPF and are expected to reach completion in 2021. The project is located at coordinates 0.693243°N, 34.306400°E

Construction of a transmission line that connects the power networks of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. This project includes the 96km Kenyan section of the 2,800km ZTK interconnector, which runs from Arusha in Tanzania to Isinya in Kenya. In Kenya, the line will be linked to the high-voltage direct current interconnector between Kenya and Ethiopia

PEAT-WISE was conceived to address the growing threats to peatlands caused by unsustainable practices such as drainage for agriculture, burning, and peat extraction. These activities have led to land degradation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. The project recognizes that peatlands are globally significant ecosystems because they store vast amounts of carbon, regulate water flows, and support diverse flora and fauna. The project's core objectives include: • Restoration and protection of peatlands in the Akanyaru and Nyabarongo wetlands, which are among the largest peatland complexes in the Nile Basin. • Climate change mitigation and resilience, by conserving peatlands as carbon sinks and enhancing their role in flood regulation and water storage. • Sustainable livelihoods development, promoting eco-friendly land use practices that allow local communities to benefit economically while reducing environmental harm. • Capacity building and policy support, strengthening institutional frameworks in Rwanda and Burundi for transboundary ecosystem management. • Regional cooperation, fostering collaboration between the two countries to jointly manage shared wetlands and peatlands within the Kagera River Basin. Expected Impacts • Environmental: Reduced greenhouse

 The Project is located in Eastern Equatorial state of South Sudan. It is in the southern part of Magwi County, approximately 39 kilometres south of Magwi, near the border with Uganda - South Sudan Uganda Border. This MPP Water resources development project will result in a 520 Mm3 dam, 10MW electricity, 21,800ha of irrigation, and up to 36,000m3 /d water. A pre-feasibility study has been done and now requires a feasibility, ESIA & RAP, detailed design and project implementation. USD 3m has been included in NEL-IP for studies. A preliminary estimate for implementation is USD 41.6m

The Lau Watershed Management project is one of the four fast track projects prepared in 2007 under the Eastern Nile Watershed Management (ENWM) Project. The Lau Watershed project area is administratively located within Maiwut County, Upper Nile State in Southern Sudan. Maiwut County has six Payams, four of which (Maiwut, Kigille, Jotome and Turuw) fall within the Lau Watershed Project area. The watershed (the part in South Sudan) has an area of 700 km2 that is characterized by rugged densely vegetated mountainous highland terrain at its head and plain lowland in the downstream parts. The altitude ranges from 415 to 1904 m amsl, with about 90 percent of the watershed falling below 500 m asl. During dry seasons, many people move long distances with their livestock in search of forage and water. The people that remain behind in the watershed have great difficulty finding adequate water (for domestic use and for the livestock that has not been driven away. Conflicts over water resources and grazing grounds are common in the watershed. Other issues identified in the watershed include deforestation, overgrazing, land degradation and soil loss, water pollution, and loss of wildlife from hunting and habitat destruction, impacts of climate change manifesting as changes in rainfall patterns, and weak institutions. The project objective was to restore community capacity to sustain and develop livelihoods in an environmentally responsible manner. The project had four components namely: (a) capacity building and institutional strengthening; (b) provision of basic services; (c) support to livelihoods, and; (d) project management. Specific interventions under the project included building capacity of Maiwut County and supporting NGOs; supporting the formation of, and building capacity of Community-Based Organisations; engaging and promoting community participation; constructing water supplies for domestic water use, livestock watering and agricultural irrigation based on sand dams or surface water reservoirs; constructing demonstration pit latrines and carrying out hygiene education; supporting school feeding programmes; introducing adult literacy programs; upgrading rural feeder roads to improve market access; demonstrating improved farming methods (e.g. use of improved seeds and fertilizers, mechanical ploughing; soil and water conservation; pest and disease control, etc); introducing small-scale irrigation; training fishermen in improved capture fisheries; introducing fish farming; supporting establishment of dairy processing cottage industries; establishing fruit tree nurseries, and promoting agro-forestry; diversification of income-generating activities (beekeeping, wood craft and furniture marking, vegetable processing, fruit processing, edible oil processing, grain milling, producing improved stoves, etc.); promoting use of renewable energy sources (biogas, solar); and introducing compressed bricks to replace traditional soil construction techniques.

The Kitoba-Lubango focal area (5,664 ha) is situated in is located between the villages of Kitoba and Lubango, in the territory of Lubero, in the district of Goma, in the province of North Kivu, in eastern DR Congo. The Project is to develop 3,000 ha irrigation and watershed management and is part of the investment programs prioritized by DR Congo for preparation and implementation whose identification was undertaken in 2012. Benefits will accrue to 15,000 beneficiaries (including 4,286 farmers) either directly or indirectly through creation of employment opportunities, water for domestic consumption, agricultural production, and livestock production. The outcomes of these benefits will be enhanced household incomes and livelihoods, environmental protection, watershed management, boosted agricultural production to match the ever increasing population and market demand at regional level thereby improving both national and regional food security, social economic development and ultimately poverty reduction. The Project"’s expected outputs include: Kitoba-Lubango irrigation infrastructure to enable 5,664 ha of land to be under irrigated agricultureWatershed management program for catchments upstream of the proposed irrigation infrastructureEnvironmental and Social Management PlanImproved market infrastructure and outlets; greater participation in rural economy by small-holder farmersImproved water resources monitoring along three tributaries through establishment of 2 new river gauging stations. A pre-feasibility study has been done and it is expected that this national priority project will cost USD 21.1m. Feasibility, ESIA, and detailed design is required and has been allocated USD 3m in NEL-IP.

The Amala-Norera WRD Project seeks to promote sustainable water management practices that balance the needs of various water users, including agriculture, livestock, and domestic use. The Project is part of the investment projects advanced by Kenya to NELSAP for project preparation. The project was included in the NELSAP Strategic Plan 2012 - 2016, approved by the NEL Council of Ministers in January 2012. The project is prioritized by the Government of Kenya, and it is included in the National Water Masterplan, 2030. Pre-feasibility studies for Amala dam and feasibility studies for Norera dam were concluded in 2014. The impact of the Amala-Norera WRD Project is significant. It will not only ensure a sustainable supply of water for the communities and livestock in Bomet and Narok Counties with population of 1,028,130 and 1,157,8733 but also improve the quality of water in the river, which is essential for the survival of aquatic life and the tourism industry, a critical source of income for both countries. The project will increase water availability for agriculture through development of 5,000Ha irrigation command area, hence improve food security and create new income opportunities for farmers. Moreover, by promoting sustainable water management practices, the project will contribute to reducing conflicts over water resources and enhance the resilience of the communities to climate change.

The Sudd wetland is one of the most unique and valuable ecosystems on Earth. It is the largest wetland in Africa, and a designated a Ramsar site. The Sudd wetlands are of critical importance to South Sudan and the wider region through two competing factors â€" the value of the oil deposits below them, and the important ecosystem services they currently provide. The Sudd is an important environmental resource that supports large populations of wildlife (including endangered and endemic species) rich and abundant fish populations, and around 1 million people whose engage in agriculture, fishing and livestock husbandry for livelihoods. The Suud is also pivotal in regulating the weather patterns in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the greater East Africa region and acts as a barrier to the southward encroachment of the Sahara desert, and in controlling the hydrology of the White and Main Niles. Due to decades of conflict in South Sudan, very little research has been undertaken on the Sudd, hence information to support its management is scanty. The region is suffering from impacts of climate change, which manifest as increasing frequency of extreme high inflows and rainfall, leading to cycles of expansion and contraction of the Sudd. An economic valuation study put the value of the Sudd at $3.3 billion based primarily to the climatic regulation, flood control and biodiversity services, but also through provisioning services including livestock grazing and watering, fishing, and papyrus crafts.

This project will be located in the Blue Nile Sub-basin covering among others the ecological significant watersheds of the Dinder and Rahad Rivers. The two rivers originate in the Ethiopian Highlands and flow west before entering the Blue Nile, traversing the Dinder National Park (DNP) and Alatish Regional Park located in Sudan and Ethiopia respectively. The Rahad-Dinder wetlands, which are rich in biodiversity, are part of thi ecosystem. The project will be used to identify and prepare watershed and wetlands management projects for important conservation areas along the Ethiopia-Sudan border.Project study outputs are:Technical feasibility study, Detailed Designs, and economic viability of the project including implementation arrangements and schedules, and Tender documentsDetailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)Resettlement and Compensation Action Plan (RCAP)

The Regional Transport and Navigation Development Project is one of several priority projects under the Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Plan for the Baro-Akobo-Sobat Sub-basin in the Eastern Nile region. This project will investigate and evaluate the feasibility of investments to improve the role of navigation in the Baro-Akobo-Sobat sub-basin within the context of regional transport and access to markets as a whole. It will also to carry out the necessary planning and design work to get the project ready for implementation and support its implementation. The project identification was completed in 2017 with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Baro-Akobo-Sobat multipurpose water resources development study project.