The Port of Mombasa has cemented its status as the heartbeat of East Africa's economy, posting a historic cargo throughput of 45.45 million metric tonnes in 2025. The record-breaking performance, driven by a surge in transit goods, signals a robust recovery for the region's trade corridors.

In a region often beset by logistical bottlenecks, the numbers released by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) today read like a victory lap. The port handled an additional 4.46 million metric tonnes last year—a 10.9% jump from 2024—defying global supply chain jitters and stiff competition from the port of Dar es Salaam.

The Numbers That Matter

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, flanked by senior management, unveiled the performance outlook with palpable pride. "This is not just about volume; it is about efficiency," Ruto declared. "We are moving more goods, faster, and to more destinations than ever before."

• Container Surge: The port handled 2.11 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), a 5.5% increase from the previous year. This metric is the gold standard for port health, indicating a rise in high-value manufactured imports and exports.
• The Transit Boom: Perhaps the most critical statistic is the 19.5% growth in transit cargo, which hit 15.88 million tonnes. This confirms that landlocked neighbors like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan are increasingly trusting Mombasa with their economic lifelines.
• Lamu's Awakening: The new Port of Lamu is finally waking up, handling 799,161 metric tonnes—a massive leap from the paltry 74,380 tonnes in 2024. "Lamu is no longer a white elephant; it is a working engine," Ruto noted.

Efficiency vs. Congestion

However, the record volumes bring new challenges. Truckers have recently complained of delays at the Mariakani weighbridge and slow clearance at the yards. Capt. Ruto acknowledged the strain but pointed to ongoing infrastructure upgrades. "We are expanding berths 19B, 23, and 24 to add another 1.4 million TEUs of capacity," he explained. "We are building the port of 2030, not 2026."

The revival of the Kisumu Port, which saw a 55% increase in cargo to hit nearly 500,000 tonnes, also points to a strategic shift towards utilizing Lake Victoria for regional transport, reducing the wear and tear on the Northern Corridor road network.

As the cranes at Kilindini continue to swing 24/7, the message to the region is clear: Kenya is open for business, and the gateway is wider than ever.