Mombasa Port is set for a transformative Ksh.41 billion expansion beginning this December, in a major strategic move to cement Kenya’s position as East Africa’s premier trade gateway. The project, announced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, represents one of Kenya’s most significant infrastructure investments this year and addresses the port’s critical capacity challenges amid rapidly growing cargo volumes.
The expansion comes at a crucial time for regional trade. Container traffic through Mombasa has surged from 1.4 million to 2 million TEUs, pushing the port’s existing facilities to their limits. This strategic upgrade will not only increase handling capacity but also modernize operations to compete with other Indian Ocean ports like Dar es Salaam and Djibouti.
“The December start date for the Ksh.41 billion expansion underscores our commitment to maintaining Mombasa’s competitive edge in regional maritime trade,” Kindiki stated during the announcement in Nyali. The project forms part of a broader government initiative to transform Kenya’s infrastructure landscape, alongside other coastal developments including the Changamwe-Jomvu-Mazeras-Mariakani road expansion and the Dongo Kundu Bypass completion.
For regional traders and logistics companies, the expansion promises reduced vessel waiting times and improved efficiency in cargo clearance. The timing is particularly significant given the increasing trade volumes within the East African Community and growing demand for efficient supply chain solutions.
This strategic investment positions Mombasa not just as a Kenyan asset but as a crucial trade enabler for landlocked neighbors including Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, potentially reshaping regional economic dynamics for years to come.
