The African Development Bank Group on 27 August 2019 signed two grants for $28.8 million for road and water supply projects to improve livelihoods in Somalia and boost resilience.

The grants, approved by the Bank’s Board on 19 July 2019, confirm sustained efforts, especially by the African Development Fund, to tackle fragility in the Horn of Africa. They comprise $11.99 million for the Kismayo Baidoa urban water project and $16.86 million to partly finance a $66.7 million road.

Somalia’s deputy finance minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ali signed for his country and Nnenna Nwabufo, deputy director-general, East Africa signed for the Bank Group. Present at the event were Somali ministers for public works, housing and reconstruction, and energy and water resources, representatives from South West and Jubbaland states and the International Organisation for Migration.

The road project, which will rehabilitate 355 km of regional road networks, will also provide assistance to improve the capacities of public agencies. It is expected to boost productivity, improve living standards, increase inter-regional trade, cut the cost of doing business and create jobs, especially during implementation.

The Kismayo Baidoa urban water supply project will bolster the quality of life, inclusiveness and resilience through increased access to safe water, as well as improved sanitation and water delivery services in Kismayo in Jubbaland state and Baidoa in South West state.

The two projects will be implemented within the framework of the multi-Partner Somalia infrastructure fund managed by the Bank. They are also consistent with the key objectives of Somalia’s National Development Plan.

The Bank’s total approved and ongoing portfolio in Somalia is about $143.7 million, spanning governance, institutional support, capacity building, agriculture, transport, and social sectors.