EconomyKenya

Adani, AfDB Get $1.3 Billion Grant for Kenya Power Lines

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. (Ketraco) has awarded Adani Group and a unit of the African Development Bank a public-private partnership concession to construct high-voltage power lines, according to an adviser of the East African nation’s president.

“The government through Ketraco has awarded PPP concessions to Adani and Africa50 to build new transmission lines,” David Ndii, chairman of President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisers, said in a post on X. “They are hiring their project teams. The cost of these transmission lines is $1.3 billion that we do not have to borrow.”

Many Kenyans have been angered about a separate proposal to grant another unit of the Indian mogul Gautam Adani’s conglomerate a 30-year concession to run the nation’s largest airport.

Aviation workers held a one-day stoppage last week to protest those plans.

The Kenyan government has borrowed heavily and can still afford to take on additional loans.

Also Read: Adani Acquires 95% Stake in Tanzania Container Terminal for $39.5 Million

To balance the need for continued investment in development, the government says it needs private money in public projects.

Casablanca-based Africa50 has a PPP project to construct the 185-kilometer (115-mile) Loosuk-Lessos transmission line, according to its website.

Five years ago, Ketraco said the AfDB unit would construct 324 km of the high-voltage links for $172.5 million.

At the time, the agency said it was turning to private investment to cut reliance on state funding and to plug a hole estimated at $3 billion for projects due by 2030.

Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. has expressed interest in operating the Gilgil-Thika-Malaa electricity line under Ketraco – according to Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.

The proposal is still under evaluation, he said.

 

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Lawrence Baraza

Lawrence Baraza is a dynamic journalist currently overseeing content at Metropol TV Digital. With a keen focus on business news and analytics, Lawrence guides the platform in delivering insightful, data-driven content that empowers its audience to make informed decisions. Lawrence’s commitment to quality and his ability to anticipate market trends make him a key figure in the digital media landscape. His work continues to shape the way business news is consumed, making a significant impact in the field.

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