Kenya awards $1.3 bn transmission deal to Adani amid lease protests

19 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has granted a public-private partnership concession to India's Adani Group and an entity of the African Development Bank to construct power transmission lines, as mentioned by a presidential economic advisor.

David Ndii, the chief economic advisor to President William Ruto, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the concession is valued at $1.3 billion. Ndii stated in the post that the government, through Ketraco, had awarded PPP concessions to Adani and Africa50 to build new transmission lines, and they are currently hiring their project teams. He also mentioned that the cost of these transmission lines is $1.3 billion, which the government does not need to borrow.

Africa50 is an investment platform focused on infrastructure under the African Development Bank.

In a related development, the Kenyan government’s plan to lease the country’s principal international airport to the Adani Group has sparked public outrage and led to a strike by aviation workers. The proposal involves leasing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Adani Group for a 30-year term, with an investment of $1.85 billion in the airport’s expansion.

Adani's company, which operates seven airports in India, has frequently faced criticism from Opposition parties in India, who accuse the company of benefiting from government favoritism. However, both Indian officials and the Adani Group have consistently denied these claims.

Kenya is currently dealing with significant debt, accrued through years of heavy infrastructure investment. Earlier this year, the government's attempt to raise taxes to generate funds for debt repayment resulted in violent protests, forcing the administration to withdraw the proposal.

Despite recent protests and opposition from unions regarding the transfer of management of the country’s primary airport to the Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, the Kenyan government has confirmed that the conglomerate will construct power transmission lines, according to reports. The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has granted a public-private partnership concession to India's Adani Group and an entity of the African Development Bank to construct power transmission lines, as mentioned by a presidential economic advisor. David Ndii, the chief economic advisor to President William Ruto, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the concession is valued at $1.3 billion. Ndii stated in the post that the government, through Ketraco, had awarded PPP concessions to Adani and Africa50 to build new transmission lines, and they are currently hiring their project teams. He also mentioned that the cost of these transmission lines is $1.3 billion, which the government does not need to borrow. Africa50 is an investment platform focused on infrastructure under the African Development Bank. In a related development, the Kenyan government’s plan to lease the country’s principal international airport to the Adani Group has sparked public outrage and led to a strike by aviation workers. The proposal involves leasing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Adani Group for a 30-year term, with an investment of $1.85 billion in the airport’s expansion. Adani's company, which operates seven airports in India, has frequently faced criticism from Opposition parties in India, who accuse the company of benefiting from government favoritism. However, both Indian officials and the Adani Group have consistently denied these claims. Kenya is currently dealing with significant debt, accrued through years of heavy infrastructure investment. Earlier this year, the government's attempt to raise taxes to generate funds for debt repayment resulted in violent protests, forcing the administration to withdraw the proposal.

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