The governments of Kenya and Uganda are to receive a loan from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for upgrading an 118km section of road to better connect the two countries.

Works will see construction of the 32km Eldoret town bypass in Kenya

Of the $253m loan approved buy AfDB, the Kenyan Government would receive $147.3m, while the Government of Uganda would get $105.7m.

Upgrading 118km of road would offer all-weather connectivity between Kapchorwa (Uganda) to Kitale (Kenya) for locals, farmers and traders.

Project works also include construction of One Stop Border Post in Suam to facilitate trade between the two countries.

The road upgrade project is expected to significantly reduce travel time in Uganda (Kapchorwa-Suam) from four hours to 1.5 hours and in Kenya (Suam-Kitale) from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes.

"The road upgrade project is expected to significantly reduce travel time in Uganda."

In addition, the Eldoret bypass (32km) construction would reduce traffic congestion in Eldoret Town, as the motorists can avoid crossing of the city centre.

EIB infrastructure cities and urban development department director Amadou Oumarou said: “The proposed intervention is also in line with the Bank’s ten-year strategy and meets four of the 'High Fives' by contributing to the integration of the EAC countries; improving the quality of life by providing socio-economic facilities to people in the zone of influence; increasing agricultural production through access to markets and the reduction transport cost, which lowers the cost of doing business that will play pivotal role in industrialisation.”

The project has been designed to reduce accident risks and improve road safety.

AfDB loans will cover 89% and 88% of the Uganda and Kenya project costs respectively, and the remaining project costs will be taken care of by the respective governments.

The project is slated for completion in 2021, with the project then expected to improve the living standards of the 1.4 million people in the surrounding area zone.