Nairobi, Kenya – Uganda and South Sudan have taken a major step toward deepening regional integration and expanding cross-border trade, following high-level discussions in Nairobi this week on the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to landlocked neighbours.
The meeting, convened by the Kenya Railways Corporation on behalf of the Ministry of Roads and Transport, brought together ministers and senior officials from the three countries to refine a joint framework for the development of a transformative regional rail corridor.
At the heart of the talks is Kenya’s plan to extend the SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to Malaba on the border with Uganda, where the line would then continue through Uganda and into South Sudan. Kenya has already allocated KSh16.5 billion towards the Naivasha–Malaba section as part of ongoing efforts to modernize rail logistics and improve access to regional markets.
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Hon. Davis Chirchir, EGH, described the project as a “symbol of shared prosperity,” saying the rail corridor would significantly reduce transportation costs, promote industrial growth and enhance the movement of goods and people across the region.
“This is more than a transport project,” Chirchir said. “It is about building a future where our economies are interconnected and our people have greater opportunity.”
Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, echoed the sentiment, calling the initiative both timely and visionary. He said improved rail connectivity would bolster agricultural exports, strengthen value chains and provide landlocked nations with more efficient access to global markets.
Officials from South Sudan also declared strong support, noting that the corridor will be critical to the country’s long-term economic development and integration into regional supply networks.
The forum concluded with an agreement to establish a joint technical working group to coordinate planning, harmonize regulatory standards and spearhead resource mobilization. The group will also explore operational models involving both government and private sector participation.
Kenya is pursuing an infrastructure financing approach that blends domestic investment with international partnerships and private capital, particularly in freight management and rolling stock.
The success of recent railway revitalization efforts, including the upgrade of the metre-gauge Voi–Taveta line connecting to Tanzania, has already led to increased freight volumes. Officials say this provides a strong foundation for the larger SGR corridor expansion.
Beyond transport efficiency, the project is expected to spur job creation, stimulate trade, and drive the development of industrial parks, logistics hubs and special economic zones along the route. Sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and regional commerce stand to gain significantly as improved connectivity lowers the cost of doing business.
“As goods move faster and more affordably, competitiveness increases and citizens benefit through expanded livelihood opportunities,” participants noted in a joint communiqué.
The newly formed technical working group is expected to present detailed timelines, financing proposals and implementation milestones in the coming months. If executed as planned, the railway corridor will reconfigure East Africa’s logistics landscape and position the region for sustained economic growth.
The project marks a defining moment for regional integration efforts under both the East African Community (EAC) and the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signalling a shared commitment to infrastructure-driven transformation.
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