The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has secured a Ksh1.19 billion grant from the Federal Republic of Germany to strengthen regional migration management and infrastructure.

The funding, signed by IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu in Djibouti on Thursday, July 17, 2025, will go towards Phase IV of the Regional Migration Fund (RMF) and is expected to directly benefit migrants, refugees, and host communities across key corridors including Moyale, Togwajale, and Nimule Elegu.

The grant was facilitated through Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and KfW Group.

According to IGAD, the grant will support the development of essential services and infrastructure along high-mobility routes to improve safety, dignity, and access for those on the move.

“We thank Germany for its continued trust and partnership.Together, we are making regional mobility safer, smarter, and more dignified,” Gebeyehu said during the signing. Under the revised framework, IGAD will directly oversee the rollout of major infrastructure projects and provide oversight to its implementing partners to ensure accountability and timely delivery.

The move marks a significant step in IGAD’s long-term efforts to promote regional integration and resilience, especially in border regions where migrants and refugees often face limited access to services.

The funding will also support social cohesion initiatives that aim to reduce tensions between host communities and mobile populations, while promoting shared access to economic opportunities and public services.

This development follows recent commitments by Kenya and Ethiopia to improve cross-border connectivity through the construction of two bridges across River Dawa at Rhamu and Suftu.

The announcement, made on June 5, 2025, after a bilateral meeting between Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Kenya’s Investment and Assets Management PS Cyrell Odede Wagunda, emphasized the need to connect historically underserved communities. Facilitated under IGAD’s regional coordination, the bridges are expected to open access to healthcare, education, and markets for thousands of people on both sides of the border.

As climate change, conflict, and economic pressures continue to drive migration in the Horn of Africa, the German-backed initiative represents a broader push to address root causes while improving conditions for safe and orderly movement.

IGAD says it remains committed to working with international partners to deliver transformative, community-driven projects that support human mobility and long-term development across the region.