The German Co-operation has made a commitment of EUR 45 million towards the implementation of a new program within the Lake Victoria Basin.
This follows a series of negotiation between the East African Community and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany represented by its Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
During the negotiations, the EAC Secretariat and affiliated institutions presented their plans and project proposals to the Partner, who at the end made financing commitments.
In November 2020, EUR 15 million were committed for Regional Economic Integration in EAC.
However, in July 2022, the Partners modified the scope and agreed that the commitment be used on prioritizing and financing climate-proof infrastructure investment, including measures in Lake Victoria Basin that include landscape restoration, climate change resilience and Nature-based Solution approach.
In December 2021 and July 2022, EUR 10 million and EUR 20 million were committed respectively as additional funding to the LVB-IWRM Programme.
The above commitments translate into EUR 30 million additional to the LVB-IWRM Programme under implementation, and EUR 15 million for a new Programme on “Fostering Potential in the Lake Victoria Basin” Nature-based Solution project.
The commitment of EUR 30 million will be utilized to scale-up the ongoing High Priority Investment projects in the Cities of Kisumu/Kenya, Mwanza/Tanzania, and Kampala/Uganda.
On the other hand, the commitment of EUR 15 million for the Program on “Fostering the Potential of Lake Victoria” will be utilized in piloting a Nature-based Solution Projects in Rwanda and Burundi, and the remaining funds will be used to promote and enhance knowledge on Nature-based Solutions in the EAC Partner States.
Both commitments shall lapse if the related grant agreements between KfW and the Recipient (i.e. EAC/LVBC) are not concluded within a period of five years after the day each commitment was made (Nov. 2025 and July 2027).
Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire presents a gift to Mr Conrad Thombasen, Programme Manager GIZ,
The KfW delegation from Frankfurt/Germany undertook a mission from 12th to 16th February 2024 at the LVBC headquarters in Kisumu/Kenya, where both institutions discussed and agreed on an Action-based Roadmap for fast-tracking the preparation of the required legal instruments.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Executive Secretary, Dr Masinde Bwire, led the LVBC team while KfW Delegation was led by Mrs. Eva Birnfeld, the Head of Division at KfW.
Dr Masinde said, “We are happy for the support from our development partners and will work within our core mandate to achieve the intended objectives”.
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