Nairobi: Improving Urban Mobility
Objectives
The capital of Kenya's road transport network is not coping with the daily demand of over 3,5 million passengers. There is an increasing trend among urban commuters to use personal motor vehicles for their urban travel. The transport sector needs to address rapid urbanization, which means there is demand for an integrated, balanced and environmentally sound urban transport system, and the inappropriate modal split due to lack of deliberate logistic linkages between the different transport modes. To avoid a massive shift to private vehicles and increasing congestion, the national government elaborated a mass rapid transit network corridors project.
The project
To address mobility issues with the Nairobi Urban Mobility Improvements (NUMI), the Government intends to implement a high-quality integrated network of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and commuter rail corridors identified under the 2014 Mass Rapid Transit Harmonization Study. The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) will execute the project under the oversight of the Ministry of Transport.
The NUMI project is a multi-phase program that will further redevelop the infrastructures of public transport and introduce electric mobility in Nairobi, leading to further improvements in terms of access to opportunities, infrastructure and modern clear and safe mobility. The project, including preparatory studies, focuses on the development of a climate friendly transport system, development and operationalization of BRT and Bus Operating Companies (BOCs). The project also includes capacitation for local agencies and authorities involved in the transport system management.
Components and outputs
The project’s immediate zone of influence is the city of Nairobi which is estimated to house more than 3,5 million people. Direct beneficiaries are Public Transport operators, General public and residents on efficient transport, clean environment. Over 1 million daily commuting passengers are expected on the new BRT system with a target of 30% of all trips in the Nairobi Metropolitan of 10 million population by 2030.
The UMDF and the AfDB are engaged in supporting preparatory studies with a US$ 500,000 grant, through the UMDF Project Preparation Window. The total investment required for the whole project is estimated at a total of US$ 486 Million.
Accelerating structural transformation of the transport system to promote a rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth
The project is aligned with the country's strategy to boost private-sector-led growth through infrastructure development. It will provide an efficient, effective, safe and sustainable transport system within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, to develop, operate and maintain an efficient, cost effective, reliable, safe, secure and integrated sustainable transport system.
The NUMI is also aligned with the AfDB’s strategic priorities: gender and youth, climate change and environment, fragility (including security), private sector development, institutional improvement, and digitalization. The investment will contribute to improving urban mobility, reducing traffic congestion, mitigating GHG emission and better air quality and providing the city with a cost efficient, sustainable and safe for women transport system. The NUMI will also impact the economy with better access to jobs and services, promoting opportunities for women and youth.