The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has partnered with Kenya on Infrastructure expansions as it steps to shape the future of infrastructure across Africa.
The partnership will see Kenya benefit from USTDA’s financing and support for the use of US technologies and services in Kenya’s priority infrastructure projects.
‘’USTDA places particular emphasis on vital economic sectors including clean energy transportation, digital, and healthcare infrastructure,’’ USTDA stated.
The agency’s current portfolio in Kenya includes 11 ongoing infrastructure activities with the potential to unlock over $971 million in financing and create more than $487 million in US export opportunities to support infrastructure in emerging markets.
In partnership with Poa Internet, the agency is looking to provide affordable and reliable internet access to underserved areas in the country.
Some of the low-connected areas in Kenya include 101 Sub-locations in 18 counties which include Baringo, Garissa, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Laikipia, Mandera, Narok, Lamu, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, West Pokot, Wajir, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu.
USTDA has also extended its services to Kenya’s healthcare sector under its initiative dubbed Coalition for Healthcare Infrastructure in Africa, which seeks to facilitate healthcare accessibility for the underserved.
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Through a feasibility study, the agency said it will support The Nairobi Hospital to establish five medical centers across the country to boost access to healthcare.
“The study will support Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) intent to establish five medical centers across Kenya, digitize its operations, and expand cancer treatment services at The Nairobi Hospital,” it added.
KHA is a not-for-profit organization that operates The Nairobi Hospital and six outpatient centers, serving over 96,000 patients a year. USTDA did not reveal the value of the grant and the location of the targeted new branches.
USTDA is also working to ensure reduced carbon emission rates in Kenya. The group is supporting the development of a 50-megawatt power wind plant in Kajiado as an alternative to diesel which is the major cause of pollution.
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‘’USTDA is supporting the development of a 50-megawatt wind power plant in Kajiado through a feasibility study grant to Craft Skills Energy Limited. The study will also explore a battery energy storage solution that would give the plant more capacity,’’ added USTDA.
Other sectors that are set to benefit from USTDA’s support are the Transportation and the agribusiness sectors.
The agency is funding a feasibility study for Kentegra Biotechnology (EPZ) limited to support the development of a facility that will refine pyrethrum flowers into an organic insecticide.
The expansion will significantly increase Ketegra’s production, making it the second-largest PRE producer in the world.
