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President William Ruto has unveiled plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to enhance regional trade and investment.
During the opening of the East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa, Ruto highlighted the significance of this infrastructure expansion for regional integration. He emphasized that the extension of the SGR would make cross-border transportation easier, improving connectivity among East African nations.
“We have now reached agreements with Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to these countries, enabling us to utilize the SGR when traveling to these regions,” Ruto stated. “These infrastructure projects are vital for the integration of our region.”
Ruto noted that the SGR extension is anticipated to boost intra-regional trade, which is currently at 28 percent, and contribute to the broader objectives of economic integration within the East African Community. He also suggested that this initiative could serve as a foundation for broader African integration under the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Uganda has already begun groundwork for its SGR construction, with the first phase covering a 272 km stretch from Malaba to Kampala. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni previously mentioned that the project will be completed in phases, with the Malaba to Kampala section set for completion in about four years.
Additionally, Kenya is accelerating the development of the SGR line from Naivasha to Kisumu, with operations slated to begin in January 2025.
