Provide safer, and more reliable transport for approximately 38.5k passengers/ year. Based on survey data, 40% live on or below the international poverty line. Many of these consumers are local traders or employed by SMEs who use the ferries to increase access to markets which leads to greater income generation.

SDG assessment

8.5 + 9.4 – Develop regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and well-being.

Challenge: There are limited safe and reliable transport options to cross Lake Victoria.

Channel: Demonstrate the concept of a formalised passenger ferry service.

Outcome: Demonstrate market appetite for a greater number of passenger services, attracting further investment to expand services.

Transition: Waterbus generates lower carbon emissions than comparable alternative transport. To further reduce the emissions of each crossing, the company is working to pilot retrofitting of a solar boost system to two of its vessels.

Physical: Lake Victoria gets most of its water from the rain, so changes in rainfall patterns will have an impact on water levels in the lake. The boats are resilient to these changes and further work will be carried out to determine if changes are needed to landing sites.

Waterbus has committed to achieving a 30% female participation in the workforce. The company will outline initiatives to achieve this target over the course in a Gender Action Plan.

As part of the due diligence process, 12 HSES enhancement opportunities were identified which are now reflected in the Project Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).