September 30, 2024
KeNHA and the Global Center on Adaptation partner to integrate climate adaptation strategies in Usahihi Nairobi to Mombasa Expressway
Nairobi Kenya, 26th September 2024 – The Usahihi Nairobi to Mombasa Expressway is set to benefit from a partnership between the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA). This collaboration aims to integrate climate adaptation and resilience into the expressway’s development, aligning with Kenya’s goals under the Africa Free Trade Area project. By leveraging GCA’s expertise through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), Usahihi will incorporate cost-effective strategies to protect the infrastructure from key climate risks, such as flooding and extreme temperatures. GCA’s support will encompass technical assistance for climate risk and vulnerability assessments and the incorporation of both green and grey adaptation solutions into the project design.
The partnership aims to address key climate vulnerabilities through the implementation of adaptation measures such as advanced drainage systems, erosion control, and flood mitigation, to ensure the expressway remains functional during extreme weather events. This will help maintain the reliability of a critical trade route linking Nairobi and Mombasa, supporting intra-African trade, and improve road safety for all users along the corridor. The measures will build on the project’s sustainable development initiatives, which include innovative infrastructure, wildlife corridors, and environmentally conscious construction practices. Smart technology, such as real-time environmental monitoring and intelligent traffic management systems, will enhance road safety and reduce emissions. The partnership presents a valuable opportunity to embed climate adaptation and resilience at the core of the Usahihi development.
Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of GCA, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway is not just a transportation project; it is a lifeline for economic resilience and climate adaptation. By embedding climate resilience into its very foundation, we are ensuring that this critical infrastructure can withstand future climatic shocks and continue to serve the people and economy of Kenya for decades to come.”
Ambassador Kyle McCarter, Partner at Usahihi, remarked, “Our partnership with KeNHA and GCA represents a pivotal step forward in advancing both economic and environmental goals. By integrating cutting-edge climate adaptation strategies into the Nairobi to Mombasa Expressway project, we are not only enhancing the durability of this vital trade route but also setting a benchmark for future infrastructure projects across Africa. This collaboration underscores our commitment to sustainable development and resilience, ensuring that the expressway remains a key asset for Kenya’s growth amidst a changing climate.”
This collaboration will boost Kenya’s role in regional trade and sustainable infrastructure, positioning Usahihi as a model for future projects that combine economic growth with climate resilience.
About Usahihi Nairobi to Mombasa Expressway
Usahihi, meaning “Done Correctly” in Swahili, is Africa’s largest toll road project, transforming infrastructure between Nairobi and Mombasa. This 440 km, climate-resilient expressway is a Public-Private Partnership, self-financed through tolls, and poses no financial burden on the Kenyan government. With a USD 3.6 billion investment, Usahihi focuses on sustainability, featuring wildlife corridors, electric vehicle charging, and renewable energy infrastructure. The project will create thousands of jobs, reduce travel time from 10.5 to 4.5 hours, and enhance trade, safety, and economic growth in East Africa.
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent. Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.