The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has provided over €1.2 million (over KSh 166 million) in technical assistance support to cities in East Africa to prepare for climate-resilient urban development projects.
The cities set to benefit from this technical assistance are Kericho, Nyamira, Kisumu, Embu, Eldoret, and Malindi in Kenya, Zanzibar in Tanzania, and Makindye in Uganda.
EIB Global’s support for cities is financed through the City Climate Finance Gap Fund – a multi-donor trust fund supported by Germany and Luxembourg and implemented jointly with the World Bank and in close partnership with German Development Cooperation (GIZ). The technical assistance programme focuses on early-stage project preparation to facilitate access to finance for urban projects that would otherwise potentially remain at the idea stage.
Most of the support for the cities in the region will revolve around assessing options for managing solid waste and faecal sludge, waste-to-energy solutions through production of biogas, and wastewater treatment. Preliminary proposed solutions have recommended integrated solid waste management plans that encompass segregation of waste at source, separation of waste collections, waste recovery and proper disposal.
Further technical assistance promotes active mobility through evaluating non-motorised transport options, implementing urban floodproofing measures to mitigate flood risks and enhancing environmental sustainability through the establishment of green public parks as well as expansion of urban forestry and biodiversity.
In Kenya, EIB Global’s support is geared towards helping the cities access further financing support from an ongoing infrastructure investment programme known as the Kenya Urban Support Programme II, upon completion of the Gap Fund technical assistance.
EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros said: “Cities and local governments play a key role in fighting climate change because they experience its effects the most. However, they often struggle to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, mainly due to a lack of resources and expertise to create strong, investment-ready projects. Through its support for the Gap Fund, the EIB helps cities bridge these gaps and prepare effective climate projects.”
Technical assistance for project preparation plays a vital role in facilitating the implementation and financing of climate action projects by presenting bankable opportunities. This is particularly true at an urban or sub-national levels where local authorities sometimes do not have enough in-house capacity to prepare robust projects that can attract public and private finance providers at an international level.
The European Investment Bank is very active in urban climate finance, especially through the City Climate Finance Gap Fund. The Bank works with other partners to advise on projects that will place cities on a path to net zero.
