The Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) partner states of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to jointly mobilise funds to fast-track the development of the standard gauge railway (SGR) project, linking Kenya’s Port of Mombasa to neighbouring countries through the trade corridor.

The pledge was made during the Joint Ministerial Committee on the SGR held in Kenya on 3 May as part of the regional cluster meetings for the NCIP.

“We have agreed to source funds jointly because this railway line doesn't stop in one country,” said Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala. “Once we source funds jointly and also use the same contractors, work will move smoothly. We are committed to fast-tracking the development of the SGR project to enhance regional transport integration and promote economic growth.”

The transport ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expediting the completion of the remaining SGR sections from Naivasha in Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DRC.

The Ugandan government said it is in the final stages of negotiations with Turkey’s Yapi Merkezi for the construction of the Malaba-Kampala section of the SGR, with the contract expected to be signed by the end of May. Work is planned to begin in September, subject to the availability of resources.

The Kenyan government committed to resume the construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu and Kisumu-Malaba SGR sections in July and September respectively. Cabinet Secretary of Roads and Transport Onesimus Murkomen said talks are ongoing with the private sector and an export credit bank to shoulder part of the financing for the sections, estimated at US$5.3 billion.

"We are in discussion with the private sector to see if we can structure an arrangement for them to take the large burden at very reasonable and concessional terms so that we can continue with the project," Murkomen said. He added that the Kenyan government aims to create special economic zones along the corridor that will transform areas with stations into economic hubs.

Together with my colleagues, Hon. Fred Byamukama, Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, and Mr. Roger Te Biasu representing the Minister of Transport of the Democratic Republic of Congo,we have this afternoon signed a… pic.twitter.com/4BreEFPyt7

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) May 3, 2024

In Kenya, the Northern Corridor SGR is planned to run from the Port of Mombasa through Malaba, Nairobi, Naivasha and Kisumu to Malaba on the border with Uganda. The project has been divided into two phases. Phase 1 runs for 472km between Mombasa and Nairobi and was completed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in 2017 at a cost of US$3.6 billion.

Phase 2 runs for 490km between Nairobi and Malaba and has been divided into three sub-phases. Phase 2a comprises the 120km Nairobi-Naivasha section, which was completed by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) in 2019 at an estimated cost of US$1.5 billion.

Phase 2b will stretch for 262km from Naivasha through Narok, Bomet and Nyamira to Kisumu, including an 8km branch line to Kisumu port on Lake Victoria. The work also entails the construction of two multi-purpose berths and a work boat berth at Kisumu port.

The phase 2c section will run for 107km through the Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya and Busia counties to Malaba.

In 2016, CCCC signed a US$5.3 billion deal to build the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba SGR section as well as the Kisumu port development, but it is understood agreements over funding from the Chinese government broke down and work on the next section of railway was never launched.

In February 2024, Kenya Railways issued two requests for proposals from consultants to prepare the resettlement action plans for the Naivasha-Kisumu phase 2b and the Kisumu-Malaba phase 2c of the SGR. The deadline for submissions was 13 March.

Northern Corridor railway route mapSource: Uganda SGR project

Uganda's 1,724km SGR network will begin at Tororo station in the border town of Malaba and split into various routes.

The 588km Northern line will run from Tororo station through Mbale, Lira, Soroti and Gulu to connect with South Sudan's Juba-Nimule SGR line. Separately, a spur is planned to traverse from Gulu through Pakwach to Vurra/Goli on the border with DRC.

The 338km Eastern line will run from Tororo station to Jinja and on to Kampala, the capital city.

The Western line will run from Kampala through Bihanga to Mpondwe on the DRC border.

The Southwestern route starts at Bihanga and runs through Mbarara to Mirama Hills on the border with Rwanda and on to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.

Northern Corridor railway routes in UgandaSource: Uganda SGR project

At the cluster meetings, the other partner states of Rwanda and the DRC committed to commence construction of their SGR sections once financing is secured for Uganda’s Malaba-Kampala section.

Rwanda's Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore emphasised the need for the SGR to remain a regional project, saying Kenya will not benefit from the full potential of the railway, given the heavy investment involved, if it is not extended all the way to Uganda, Rwanda and other countries within the corridor.

"We have reiterated our need to coordinate and package this project as a regional project so that we develop in harmony,” Gasore said. “It will, for example, not help us to develop our section, that is Kigali-Mirama Hills, if the Naivasha-Malaba and Malaba-Kampala-Mirama Hills [sections are] not developed."

The transport ministers also agreed to establish a framework for cross-border maintenance of SGR assets and facilities, harmonise planning and development of inland water transport infrastructure, and fast-track the review of the tripartite agreement on water transport on Lake Victoria.

In addition, the DRC government committed to assent and ratify the existing SGR protocol and SGR tripartite agreement. The harmonisation of SGR technical specifications and standards have already been completed by Kenya and Uganda.