February 27, 2026 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has concluded its participation in the AUDA-NEPAD African Infrastructure Database (AID) Task Team Training and Working Session on the Nile River Basin Investment Program (NRBIP), led by the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat and held from 24–27 February 2026.
The four-day engagement brought together regional institutions to strengthen infrastructure data management, enhance coordination, and increase the visibility of investment projects across the Nile River Basin, particularly in water and related sectors including ICT, transport, and electricity. The NRBIP is a flagship regional initiative comprising jointly identified transformative investments aimed at advancing climate-resilient socio-economic development while addressing environmental degradation within the Basin.
Implemented by the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) with financial support from GIZ, the programme convened participants from IGAD, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), the East Africa Power Pool (EAPP), Nile-SEC, NELSAP, and the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), following approval by the Nile Council of Ministers (Nile-COM). The programme is currently focused on portfolio development, coordination, reporting, and resource mobilization.
Speaking on the importance of strengthened regional collaboration, Gilbert Aluoch, IGAD Monitoring and Evaluation Expert in the Agriculture and Environment Division, speaking on behalf of the Director of the Division, noted that “over the past two years, IGAD has been a consistent participant in the Nile Basin regional initiatives, and we look forward to seeing tangible results from this collaboration, particularly through the mobilisation of funding for the fifty-nine shortlisted candidate projects captured in the database. We are pleased to be part of this agenda, which will contribute to improving groundwater management and access, especially in borderland areas across the Horn of Africa.”
Dr Eng. Nestor Niyonzima, Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat, stated that “the Nile River Basin Investment Program represents a critical step toward translating regional cooperation into tangible development outcomes. By strengthening data systems, enhancing institutional coordination, and prioritising transformative projects, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable, climate-resilient growth that benefits all Nile Basin countries. Effective collaboration among our regional institutions remains central to mobilising resources and accelerating implementation.”
During the training, participants enhanced their capacity to utilise the upgraded African Infrastructure Database — a continental platform developed by AUDA-NEPAD for collecting, validating, storing, and sharing infrastructure project information. The sessions supported verification of migrated project data, updating of NRBIP project profiles to strengthen monitoring and reporting, and integration of institutional websites with the AID and NRBIP portals to improve access to project information and promote investment visibility through the Virtual PIDA Information Centre.
“The African Infrastructure Database plays a vital role in strengthening Africa’s capacity to plan, monitor, and promote strategic infrastructure investments using reliable and standardised data. By enhancing digital integration and improving project visibility, we are supporting regional institutions to accelerate implementation, mobilise resources, and advance sustainable development across the continent.” — Chipiliro Saka, Programme Officer, Small to Medium Enterprises, AUDA-NEPAD
“Regional cooperation and strong institutional partnerships are essential for advancing sustainable infrastructure development in shared river basins. Strengthening digital data systems and coordinated investment planning enhances transparency, supports evidence-based decision-making, and creates greater opportunities for mobilising resources toward climate-resilient development across the Nile Basin.” — Grossmann Malte, Head of Regional Projects Cluster – Transboundary Cooperation in the Nile Basin, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Closing the meeting, Eng. Teferra Beyene Asfaw, Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Member, Ethiopia, emphasised that “this engagement reflects the strength of regional solidarity and our shared responsibility in advancing sustainable development across the Nile Basin. By strengthening coordination, improving data systems, and aligning our investment priorities, we are building a strong foundation for inclusive growth and long-term resilience that benefits all our countries.”
The workshop resulted in updated and uploaded NRBIP candidate projects, consolidation of regional project portfolios, and strengthened digital linkages among participating institutions, improving coordination and information sharing across the Basin.
IGAD’s participation reflects its continued commitment to regional cooperation, evidence-based planning, and sustainable infrastructure development in support of resilient economic growth across the Nile Basin and the wider IGAD region.
