NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya has secured a significant grant of USD 3.15 million (approximately Ksh 407 million) to fund a comprehensive feasibility study for the upgrade of the Mau Summit–Malaba road, a critical segment of the Northern Corridor that links the Port of Mombasa to Uganda and other landlocked East African nations. The funding was officially approved by the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) during its Governing Committee meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, EAT.

The grant will be implemented by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), marking the development bank's first standalone investment in Kenya. The study is a crucial first step towards a proposed large-scale Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project aimed at transforming the 243-kilometre stretch of highway into a modern, four-lane dual carriageway. This initiative is aligned with Kenya's long-term development strategy, Vision 2030, which prioritizes the modernization of infrastructure to enhance national and regional competitiveness.

A Lifeline for East African Trade

The Mau Summit–Malaba road is one of the most economically important transport arteries in East and Central Africa. As a key section of the Northern Corridor, it serves as a lifeline for trade, facilitating the movement of goods to and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. According to the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, the corridor handles over 30 million tonnes of cargo annually.

However, the current state of the road presents significant challenges to trade and safety. A 2018 report indicated that 24% of the Northern Corridor roads in Kenya were in poor condition. This, combined with congestion, means transit times between Mombasa and the Malaba border can exceed 100 hours, far surpassing the government's target of 78 hours. These delays increase transport costs, undermine supply chain reliability, and hinder economic growth across the region.

Furthermore, the corridor is notorious for high accident rates. According to official data, the counties situated along the Northern Corridor account for a disproportionate number of road fatalities in Kenya, with over 4,000 deaths recorded annually along the entire route. The upgrade aims to address these safety concerns through modern highway design, including the expansion of lanes and the construction of safer interchanges.

The Feasibility Study and PPP Model

The MCDF-funded study will build upon a pre-feasibility assessment already financed by the AIIB. According to MCDF Senior Communications Officer David Hendrickson, the comprehensive study will evaluate the project's technical design, its resilience to climate and engineering risks, and its environmental and social safeguards. A key component will be assessing the affordability of a potential tolling system and developing a transparent, bankable PPP structure that can attract significant private investment.

The Government of Kenya has increasingly turned to the PPP model to finance major infrastructure projects without overburdening public finances. President William Ruto has recently reaffirmed the government's commitment to extending the dualling of the highway from Nairobi all the way to Malaba, emphasizing the PPP framework as the most sustainable approach for such large-scale undertakings. The successful implementation of this project would follow the model of other major infrastructure developments in the country, such as the Nairobi Expressway.

Broader Economic and Regional Impact

The proposed upgrade is expected to deliver substantial benefits for Kenya and the wider East Africa region. By reducing congestion and transit times, the project will lower transport costs for businesses, making Kenyan and regional products more competitive on the global market. The reduction in truck idling times is also expected to cut carbon emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability goals.

Enhanced efficiency along the corridor will solidify Kenya's position as the primary gateway to East Africa, boosting activity at the Port of Mombasa and reinforcing its role as a regional logistics hub. The project aligns with the goals of the Trans-African Highway Network, a continental initiative aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and economic integration. For ordinary Kenyans, the project promises safer travel, reduced journey times, and the potential for increased economic opportunities in the towns and counties along the route.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which will be a key partner in the project, has previously conducted traffic surveys and post-completion safety audits on sections of the road, indicating ongoing efforts to manage and improve the vital transport corridor. The findings of the new feasibility study will be critical in shaping the final design and financing structure of a project poised to transform trade and transport in East Africa for decades to come.