Infrastructure boost as Northern Corridor states approve new development budget

SADIK HASSAN-KNA

The Northern Corridor member states have approved a budget of $6.83 million (Sh884.6 million) for the 2026/2027 financial year to accelerate regional infrastructure development, enhance cargo movement and strengthen trade facilitation as cargo movements from the Port of Mombasa continues to rise.

The approved budget of $6,832,626 represents an increase of about $2.2 million (Sh284.94 million) from the previous year’s allocation of $4,548,926, underscoring member states’ commitment to improving transport and logistics infrastructure across the region.

Key priorities for the coming financial year include the construction of roadside stations, automation of weighbridges, development of the Naivasha Inland Container Depot into a bankable logistics hub, opening new cross-border transport links, and implementing 32 priority regional projects aimed at enhancing trade facilitation.

The resolutions were adopted during the 38th Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) Council of Ministers meeting held in Nairobi, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to investing in transport infrastructure, railway connectivity, border efficiency and modern logistics systems to sustain the corridor’s competitiveness.

Three ministers from Burundi, Kenya and South Sudan attended the meeting physically, while representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda participated virtually.

Those in attendance included Burundi’s Minister for Infrastructure, Social Housing, Transport and Equipment, Egide Niyimbere; Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir; and South Sudan’s Minister for Transport, Rizik Zakaria Hassan.

Joining virtually were DRC Secretary General for Transport and Ways of Communication Nke Sana Moko, Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure Canoth Manishimwe, and Uganda’s Permanent Secretary for Works and Transport Bageya Waiswa.

The meeting was chaired by Egide Niyimbere, the current Chairperson of the NCTTCA Council of Ministers.In a joint communiqué, the Council commended member states for their continued collaboration in implementing programmes and projects aimed at facilitating the free movement of goods along the Northern Corridor.

The ministers also lauded the corridor’s improved performance, citing increased cargo throughput at the Port of Mombasa, growth in transit cargo volumes and enhanced collaboration with development partners in implementing regional programmes.

The Council further directed the Secretariat to strengthen efforts to monitor and eliminate non-tariff barriers along the corridor to improve cargo movement and operational efficiency.

On technical programmes, the Council applauded the progress made by member states in improving regional transport infrastructure, including roads, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), inland waterways, ports, roadside stations and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

It urged member states to continue investing in infrastructure development to enhance regional connectivity and improve road safety.

The Council also directed the Secretariat to implement strategies that promote logistics hubs and cargo consolidation centres to increase intra-regional trade and boost regional exports.

Additionally, the Secretariat was tasked with strengthening the capacity of relevant agencies in identifying, profiling and developing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects across member states to support the transformation of the Northern Corridor into a vibrant economic development corridor.