Kenya has awarded a $1.3 billion contract to India's Adani Group, in partnership with Africa50, a subsidiary of the African Development Bank, to construct power transmission lines. This initiative aims to reduce Kenya's debt burden by developing infrastructure without relying on additional borrowing.

David Ndii, chief economic adviser to Kenyan President William Ruto, shared the news on X, stating that the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with Adani and Africa50 will allow them to build new transmission lines. He emphasized that the cost of the project will not require loans from external sources.

Africa50, an infrastructure investment arm of the African Development Bank, is collaborating with Adani Group for this project.

In a separate development, the Kenyan government's decision to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Adani Group has caused significant public outcry. The 30-year lease, in exchange for $1.85 billion in investments from Adani to expand the airport, led to protests and strikes by aviation workers.

Adani Group, which manages seven airports in India, has previously faced criticism for allegedly receiving favorable treatment from the government, though both the Indian authorities and the company have denied these claims.

Kenya, currently grappling with a high debt load from years of infrastructure spending, has faced further unrest after a proposal to raise taxes to help with debt repayment led to deadly protests. The government was eventually forced to withdraw the tax hike plan.

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