The World Bank will lend $1.1 billion to Kenya to finance infrastructure projects in arid regions located in the northern part of the country, World Bank Africa’s vice-president, Makhtar Diop revealed. “This loan is the first of a kind for this region of Kenya,” he said, Reuters cited.

This money will be used to build roads, improve water and power supply and support husbandry.

Mr Diop added that the World Bank projected Kenya’s economy to grow by 5.9% this year, against 5.6% in 2015. 

“Though Kenya is recording good performances when comparing to the environment in Africa and the world, the government’s goal is to maintain this growth rate and increase it,” he said highlighting that the country’s total public debt was still viable as it reached only about 50% of its GDP.