South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project secures AfDB, EU funding

The governments of South Sudan and Uganda, in collaboration with the Nile Basin Initiative, have secured major funding from the African Development Fund (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) for the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project.

AfDB has committed USD 155 million in loans and grants, while the EU will provide an additional USD 27.1 million grant. The project, which faced delays due to financial and logistical issues, is now set for completion in 2028. The total project cost has increased to approximately USD 260 million, surpassing Uganda’s initial projection of USD 164.7 million.

The cross-border infrastructure includes the construction of a 299-km, 400 kV double-circuit transmission line, spanning 149 km from Gumbo in Juba, South Sudan, to the Uganda border, and 150 km from the border to the Olwiyo substation via the new Bibia substation in Uganda. 

Additionally, the project involves the construction of a new 400/132/33 kV substation in Gumbo, the expansion of the Karuma substation in Uganda, and an upgrade of the Olwiyo substation from 132/33 kV to 400/132/33 kV.