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 project will deliver: (i) Reduced transport costs for landlocked EAC states (Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) and neighbouring countries like DRC, by shifting cargo from long road hauls to lake shipping. (ii) Improved lake transport operations - more reliable schedules, safer routes, better intermodal links (road/rail/port). (iii) Increased investment in: - port and maritime infrastructure, - modern cargo and passenger vessels, - tourism and water sports around the lake. (iv) A safer navigation and security environment (fewer accidents, better emergency response). Port rehabilitation and construction will include: - Rehabilitation and expansion of Kisumu Port - Construction of Bukasa Inland Port near Kampala; - Upgrades in Mwanza, Bukoba, Musoma;

The Project aims to develop inland water transport infrastructure and services along the Akagera River to improve regional connectivity between Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The project involves river navigation improvements, construction of port facilities, acquisition of suitable vessels, and establishment of a sustainable operational framework. This environmentally friendly transport alternative will connect Lake Victoria to regions along the Akagera River, providing cost-effective transportation for both passengers and freight while reducing pressure on road infrastructure. The project will employ appropriate river transport technologies suited to the specific conditions of the Akagera River, which has varying depths and flow conditions across seasons. Key design elements include: - Shallow-draft vessels, - Modular port facilities adaptable to water level variations, - Environmentally sensitive river training works where necessary. - Solar power systems for port facilities; - Navigation aids and communication systems compliant with inland waterway standards; - Digital booking and cargo management systems; - Safety and emergency response equipment

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

Dinger Bereha Irrigation and Drainage Project is located in Chewaka Woreda develop a 7,500 ha irrigation scheme at Dinger Bereha in Chewaka Woreda. The project will abstract water from the Didessa River and comprises of a mass concrete weir headworks, a 15 km main canal, primary canals and tertiary distribution system of HDPE pipes. The project feasibility studies were completed in 2010. with funding from the African Development Fund.

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.

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 Kitale Town Sewerage Project aims to improve wastewater management and sanitation services in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, addressing challenges from rapid urban growth. The project involves expanding and rehabilitating the sewer network through construction of 94 Km of Trunk and Secondary Sewers including 5,000 plot connections to increase household connections. Two new wastewater treatment plants-the Rafiki WWTP (4,600 m³/day capacity) and the Sirende WWTP(5,600 m³/day capacity)-will be constructed to ensure efficient, environmentally friendly treatment of sewage, replacing the existing Machinjoni and Bidii plants. A total of 85,779 inhabitants will benefit from the project. The project also includes upgrading sewer lines, decommissioning obsolete infrastructure, and strengthening the capacity of local operators. Environmental and social safeguards are integrated to minimize impacts and promote community engagement. Upon completion, the project will significantly reduce pollution, protect local water bodies, and enhance public health and living standards, supporting Kitale's sustainable urban development and setting a benchmark for effective wastewater management in Kenya.

The project aims to address critical gaps in Homabay Town's sanitation infrastructure - protecting Lake Victoria from pollution and improve public health. The project focuses on both sewer rehabilitating the existing 20 km sewer network, which is largely degraded and underperforming, and expanding coverage to serve a growing population. Key components include: - Upgrading the dysfunctional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to meet Kenya's Water Quality Regulations (2006) by improving effluent quality - Rehabilitating primary and secondary sewer lines in the town center - Extending the gravity-based sewer network to newly urbanizing areas - Last-mile connectivity measures involve reactivating house connections, installing new connections, integrating on-site sanitation solutions in peripheral zones. - Operational improvements to reduce non-revenue water and enhance HOMAWASCO's capacity to manage assets. Implementation will be in phases. These interventions will increase service coverage, mitigate environmental risks to Lake Victoria, and align with Kenya's Vision 2030 goals for sustainable urban water management.

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 Project aims to transform the Mukungwa Wetland into an urban wetland recreation and eco-tourism park with view to increase biodiversity, reduce flood risk and manage pollution. The project will not only provide social and economic benefits to the communities but also support innovative approaches to restore and conserve wetland ecosystems on 130 Ha including its buffer zone of 30ha, restoration Mukungwa wetland catchment on 5000ha, promote the sustainable management of natural resources and support livelihood diversification to enhance incomes for local communities. The Project specific objectives include: - Wetland Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded wetlands to improve biodiversity and ecosystem services; - Landscape Rehabilitation: Implementing soil and water conservation measures to prevent erosion and land degradation; - Livelihood improvement: engaging local communities in restoration activities to ensure sustainability and ownership; and - Eco-tourism Development: Establishing the Mukungwa Urban Eco-tourism Park to promote conservation awareness and generate alternative livelihoods.

The Faecal Sludge Solid Water Management project in the small towns of Kyazanga and Kalangala aims to establish sustainable, safe, and efficient faecal sludge management (FSM) systems to reduce illegal and hazardous dumping of faecal sludge and solid waste to the surrounding swamps and the Lake Victoria. The project focuses on the construction and operation of faecal sludge treatment and solid waste management facilities, incorporating safe containment, emptying, transportation, treatment, and disposal or reuse of faecal sludge aligned with Uganda's environmental and public health standards, and valorization of the end product from faecal sludge and solid waste. Approximately 14,553 people in Kalangala and 59,908 people in Kyazanga (74,461 people) will benefit from the Project. By improving FSM infrastructure and service delivery, the project seeks to reduce environmental pollution, enhance public health, and improve the socio-economic conditions of local communities through better sanitation services. It also supports decentralized, inclusive solutions that integrate with existing water and sanitation frameworks, contributing to broader regional sanitation goals and sustainable urban development in Kyazanga and Kalangala.

The project aims to enhance climate and environmental resilience in the Muvumba and Base river catchments, covering communities in Nyagatare, Rulindo, Gakenke, and Burera districts. It targets 40,000 direct beneficiaries and more than 500,000 indirect beneficiaries, many of whom rely on the catchment for agriculture, water supply, and ecosystem services. By addressing severe land degradation, erosion, and declining watershed productivity, the project seeks to secure livelihoods and protect essential natural resources. Central to the intervention is the restoration of 10,000 hectares of degraded land using ecosystem based and participatory land husbandry techniques. The project focuses on reducing soil erosion by at least 50%, strengthening local ownership, and encouraging co financing mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES). It also aims to create at least 2,000 green rural jobs, improve management of fragile landscapes, and protect critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges from siltation and runoff. It will build capacity within communities through participatory planning tools such as Village Land Use Action Plans and micro catchment action plans. Ultimately, the intervention aims to strengthen long term ecosystem services, improve local livelihoods, and contribute to regional water security for downstream users, including hydropower companies and communities relying on wetland ecosystems.

The Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) project for Huye Town is designed to close a major sanitation gap affecting its 256,148 inhabitants, who rely predominantly on on site sanitation systems without a safe, structured mechanism for collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of faecal sludge. The lack of a dedicated treatment plant has contributed to illegal dumping, contamination of water bodies, and increased risks of waterborne diseases. The project responds to Rwanda's national commitment under NST1 and SDGs to achieve 100% safely managed sanitation by 2050, transitioning Huye from its current 62% basic sanitation coverage to full compliance with safely managed standards. At the center of the investment is the construction of a 240 m³/day Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant specifically sized for Huye's urban population. The facility will incorporate a complete treatment chain that includes: • Faecal sludge reception and screening, • Sedimentation and digestion through an Imhoff Tank, • Unplanted drying beds for dewatering digested sludge, • Long term sludge storage, and • Treatment of wastewater through an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor, followed by first and second stage vertical flow planted filters (constructed wetlands), and finally a maturation pond to ensure compliant effluent discharge.

The construction of the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in Muhanga Town is designed to address the growing need for effective and sustainable faecal sludge management by providing a dedicated facility for the safe treatment and disposal of sludge generated from on-site sanitation systems. The plant will have a treatment capacity of 240m3/day and will incorporate modular treatment technologies, such as screening, grit and grease removal, sludge thickening, liquid phase treatment, and solar drying beds, ensuring flexibility to accommodate future increases in sludge volumes as the town's population grows. Key infrastructure components will include access roads, waste sorting areas, composting units, leachate collection and aeration systems, and support facilities like changing rooms and toilets, all aimed at minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource recovery through by-products such as compost and treated water. This project is expected to increase access to sanitation services for 245,663 in Muhanga, which will in turn improve sanitation services in urban areas of Muhanga from the current 80% basic sanitation services to 100% safely managed sanitation services for the town by 2050.

A cascade of four (five if an additional option near Juba is included) dams has been planned on Bahr el Jebel in South Sudan. From upstream to downstream the dams are the Grand Fula Dam whose large reservoir would extend up into Uganda, Shukoli, Lakki, and Bedden (and Juba further downstream). An alternative configuration would be the replacement of the Grand Fula Dam with a smaller run-or-river project - "Fula Rapids". Design studies have been carried out for Bedden (included in the NRBIP as BIP_NELSAP_005. These dams aim to harness the 250 m drop in elevation along the Bahr el Jabel river over the four sites. The total installed capacity of the four dams would be in the order of 2,100MW. The cascade is considered to be one of the most cost-effective hydropower projects in the region. Phasing of the four projects can reflect different priorities. An early study (1985) favoured Lakki since it was relatively closer to Juba, but the 2009 pre-feasibility study proposed development in order from upstream to downstream. At this stage Bedden Dam is the only one of the dams developed to design level. The final choice will have to choose between Juba-focused early deployment and a system-level cascade maximizing overall generation and grid efficiency. The objective of this study is to look at sequencing options and all other preparatory consideration to prepare the way for an optimized implementation of the proposed cascade. The proposed work will comprise a combination of technical and economic analyses and extensive stakeholder engagement.