Skip to main content

Kenya highway project financing resolution

Construction work on Kenya’s vital Mombasa-Nairobi highway upgrade project is now going ahead as planned. A resolution has been achieved that will solve the funding issues that had threatened to delay the project. The project will cost nearly US$3 billion in all and is crucial for the country’s economic development as it will provide a new four lane highway connecting Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, with its largest port at Mombasa. But there were concerns that the funding method based on a series of loans that w
May 17, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Construction work on Kenya’s vital Mombasa-Nairobi highway upgrade project is now going ahead as planned. A resolution has been achieved that will solve the funding issues that had threatened to delay the project. The project will cost nearly US$3 billion in all and is crucial for the country’s economic development as it will provide a new four lane highway connecting Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, with its largest port at Mombasa. But there were concerns that the funding method based on a series of loans that was originally proposed would result in Kenya facing large debts. Instead the project is now being carried out under a full PPP model, with US contractor 4138 Bechtel operating the route and collecting tolls.

The highway is of importance not only for Kenya, but for East Africa as a whole. It forms part of a wider plan to improve transport across East Africa and will provide an important route to and from Mombasa for landlocked countries such as neighbouring Uganda.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Highway developments to boost east-west transport
    February 16, 2012
    Huge highway developments are being planned and carried out to further improve East-West transport, with Central Asia a key region as Patrick Smith reports
  • The island of Mauritius is benefiting from new road links
    December 11, 2013
    The island of Mauritius is looking to expand its road links with upgraded highway infrastructure Aseries of road improvements are underway on the scenic island of Mauritius, which lies in the Indian Ocean around 2,000km off the coast of South-east Africa. Called the Road Decongestion programme, this has been set up by the Mauritius Government in a bid to improve transport and safety in this small island nation.
  • Two new road links will help boost Uganda’s economy
    October 3, 2014
    Uganda has unveiled plans for the construction of two road projects considered critical in enhancing the integration of the Eastern African economies and boosting the landlocked country's socio-economic performance - Shem Oirere writes The new Rukungiri–Kihihi–Ishasha/Kanungu and Bumbobi-Bubulo-Lwakhakha roads in Uganda feature a design influenced by the desire to harmonise modern road standards in East Africa. These new links will also cater for the current acute shortage of gravel for road construction
  • We're here to help
    July 16, 2012
    Formed at the end of the Cold War, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised, and loaned, billions to revitalise infrastructure from central Europe to central Asia as Patrick Smith reports One of the highlights of the year for Thomas Maier has been the recent trip to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, where history was made. As the Business Group director in charge of the infrastructure sector at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) he was present when contract