Multinational - Interconnection of the Electric Grids of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries

The present operation consists of a supplementary loan of UA 5.840 million to the Republic of Uganda to bridge the financing gap for the Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries Power Interconnection Project. The increase in the cost of the project is mainly due to the unexpected depreciation of the loan currencies against the contract currencies, higher world prices for construction equipment and materials, and changes in project plans. It should be recalled that the original project consisted of the construction of 769 kilometers of 220 and 110 kV transmission lines and 17 transformers to interconnect the power grids of the Nile Equatorial Lakes countries, namely Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, in order to improve energy exchanges between these countries. The Ugandan section of the interconnection project is part of a regional NELSAP project that will address, in the short term, the electricity shortages in the region and, in the longer term, establish an integrated regional grid that will facilitate cross-border electricity trade and improve access to electricity in the Nile lakes countries. The project's success will be facilitated by the additional loan, which will enable it to meet its development objectives.