IGAD Regional Infrastructural Master Plan (IRIMP)

Description

The key objective of IRIMP was to establish the strategic framework for IGAD regional infrastructure development in four sectors of transport, energy, ICT and Transboundary Water Resources Infrastructure. The established IRIMP would outline the implementation strategy as well as guide a systematic procedure of implementation of efficient, seamless, cost-effective trans-boundary infrastructure networks. The intention of the IRIMP was to help IGAD accomplish regional integration, especially through increased trade, free movement of goods and persons, poverty reduction. 

To accomplish the project, IGAD, through the main Contractors - IPE Global and Africon Universal Consulting - sought the services of Stephen Mwai (Lead GIS Expert at Optimum Geospatial Ltd) to develop a data base of the existing key Regional Infrastructure (Energy, ICT, Transboundary Water Resources and Transport) and GIS Maps indicating their locations. The database and maps would be used in;

(i) Developing the integrated IGAD Regional Infrastructure Plan;

(ii) Planning and development of the integrated Regional Infrastructure Master Plan;

(iii) Monitoring of the performance of the regional infrastructure and;

(iv) Updating of data on key Regional Infrastructure

The process of execution of the project involved data collection from all the IGAD member states - Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, and South Sudan. The data cut across the sectors of Energy, ICT, Transboundary Water Resources and Transport. It included data on power transmission lines, generation plants, undersea and terrestrial fiber optic cable networks, ICT hubs, transboundary water aquifers, roads, railways, waterways, air travel routes, etc. 

The data was the analysed using GIS methodologies and software to generate insights and support decisions for the regions short-term, medium term, and long-term infrastructure projects. The GIS data, analysis, maps, and visualisations were a core deliverable for this project.