Why Kenya is the strategic portal of Africa's free trade

Cargo offloading operation at KPA, Mombasa. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Historians may challenge me on this, but I reckon that the reason the British claimed Kenya as their protectorate was to act as a stopover from Egypt to Southern Africa.

As the first plane landed on water, Lake Naivasha was a perfect airport. The discovery of a snow-capped mountain and climatic conditions suitable for all crops was carte blanche for settlers.

Taking a quick stock of Kenya's strategic logistical assets will demonstrate why the country can be a hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA has identified 14 trading sectors in Kenya among six other pilot countries.

The newly developed Lamu Port, with its natural deep water harbour, opens a new trade corridor into Ethiopia and the IGAD region. The potential is huge and Lamu could ably host transhipment and Free Trade Zone enterprises that would greatly contribute to the economic growth of the continent, especially in foreign exchange earnings.

The Kilindini Port is the gateway to East and Central Africa and remains the most efficient port on the Eastern sea coast of Africa. The port operations are complemented by a number of Container Freight Stations (CFS). CFS are predominantly used for imports, but have great potential in handling transhipment and exports. My opinion is that they should be gazetted under the Special Economic Zones legislation, which would grow their potential to dizzying heights.

The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was recently voted Africa's busiest airport in terms of cargo handling, having recorded 363,204 tonnes of freight in 2021. The airport hosts over 40 passenger and 25 cargo airlines. Kenya is the leading host of One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in East and Central Africa, having eight such posts connected to Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia.

The latest OSBP recently opened at the Suam border between Kenya and Uganda, offers more opportunities for trade facilitation in the EAC Region and Northern Corridor.

The oil and gas infrastructure is a great asset for the region, which if used to maximum efficiency, would ensure adequate supply of fuel to the transport and manufacturing sectors. The investments include Kipevu Oil Terminal, the pipeline connecting Mombasa to Kisume Port via Nairobi and Eldoret.

The jewel in our crown, the Standard Gauge Railway has motivated the rejuvenation of the Medium Guage Railway linking Central and Western regions to Nairobi.

The reconstruction of the Voi to Moshi railway line will ease the transport burden between Mombasa and Northern Tanzania, which can be further extended to other COMESA partner States.

Kenya is very well placed in terms of Regional Economic Communities. It also hosts the World Customs Organisation Eastern and Southern Africa (WCO - ESA) Capacity Building programme, which has attracted investment from as far afield as Russia, China and the European Union.

Writer is an International Trade Consultant