Success at Lake Victoria Basin Donors Consultative Conference in Entebbe.

26 June 2013

The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) co-sponsored the third Lake Victoria Basin Donors Consultative Conference in Entebbe, Uganda – from June 17-18, 2013. It was a big win for a precious environmental resource.  

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and arguably the most important inland waterway in the region. However, its full potential as an inland waterway is not fully exploited as it suffers from lack of investment. For example, the Lake Victoria Basin  region depends on the expensive all-road routes even though lake transport is more economical and environmentally friendlier than congested road routes.

Sustainable development of the Lake Victoria Basin could play a pivotal role in unlocking the economic potential and increasing integration of the EAC partner states – and the main objective of the Lake Victoria Basin Donors Conference in Entebbe was to solidify partnerships with donors and development agencies - to support the implementation of a variety of important social, environmental and infrastructure programs of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

The conference was co-sponsored by the governments of Sweden, Finland and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA). Twenty two (22) project concepts were presented to international donors from around the world. These donors included: The World Bank, IFAD, UNEP, JICA, SNV, KFW, AFD, USAID, The European Investment Bank, The Packard Foundation, FAO and DFID. There were also several representatives from the private sector.   

The two day conference was, by every measure, a big success. Participants broke into three work groups where they reviewed project concept notes and discussed how to finance and implement them. Every participant expressed a firm interest and/or commitment to finance the LVBC projects.   

Executive Secretary, Dr. Canisius Kanagire said in an interview after the conference, "… the support we received from The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa exceeded our expectations …"

In his closing remarks at the conference, ICA Coordinator, Mohamed Hassan encouraged the lake Victoria Basin Commission to keep up the momentum and to stay in touch with all of the participants.  The ICA Water Platform is financially supported by the German government (represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and KfW). With their generous support, the ICA helps identify and mobilize resources for water related infrastructure projects in Africa. In doing so, the ICA Water Platform works with a variety of Regional African Institutions like the Lake Victoria Basin Commission across the continent. 

For more information about the Lake Victoria Basin Commission or to get a copy of their project concept notes, contact Ms. Mary W. Mwangi at: Mwangi@lvbcom.org.  You can also download concept notes, the final recommendations from the meeting and the ICA closing comments.  To review the press coverage of the event you can go to the news section.  

Downloads:
Recommendations (doc)
Project Concepts (pdf)
Closing Remarks (doc)

Presentations:
Climate Change & WRM Project Concepts (ppt)
LVBC Now and in the Future (ppt)
Round Table 1 - WATSAN SWM Discussion Outcomes (ppt)
Round Table 2 - Climate Change and WRM Discussion Outcomes (ppt)
Round Table 3 - Economic and Infrastructure Project Concepts (ppt)
Round Table 3 - Economic & Infrastructure Discussion Outcomes (ppt)
Round Table 4 - Institutional Development Project Concepts (ppt)
WATSAB SWM Project Concepts (ppt)