By Matik Kueth
The Northern Corridor is set for expanded logistics capacity as South Sudan begins construction of an inland container depot in Naivasha, Kenya, joining regional efforts to improve cargo movement, reduce transport costs and ease congestion at the port of Mombasa.
The construction began last week on Thursday, making South Sudan the first of five regional countries allocated land by Kenya to start developing a dedicated inland logistics facility in the Naivasha logistics and special economic zone.
The project is part of broader efforts to strengthen the Northern Corridor, a major regional transport network linking the port of Mombasa to landlocked markets across East and Central Africa through road, rail and inland logistics facilities.
The corridor serves as a vital trade route for countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, providing access to international shipping networks through Kenya.
Its infrastructure is increasingly important as regional economies expand and demand for cargo transportation, customs clearance and storage facilities grows.
South Sudan’s new depot will handle goods imported through Mombasa and destined for the landlocked country.
The cargo will be transported by rail to Naivasha for customs clearance before being moved by road to South Sudan.
The facility is intended to streamline logistics operations, improve cargo tracking and reduce delays associated with clearing and transporting goods through the regional supply chain.
Geoffrey Ruku, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, said the government had committed to upgrading infrastructure along the route.
“And that’s why the government of Kenya has committed to improve the infrastructure from Naivasha all the way to the border,” Ruku said.
Bona Bolbol, chair of the Arech Group, said cooperation between the two countries would be crucial to ensuring that goods destined for South Sudan move efficiently through the corridor.
“We’re going to work very closely to deliver what is dreamed of by two countries to work in this and we will move the goods from South Sudan without delay,” he stated.
The project is also expected to contribute to increased cargo-handling capacity at the port of Mombasa.
According to officials citing a feasibility study, the inland container depot could contribute to an increase of about five million metric tons in annual cargo handling at the port.
John Deng, Executive Director of the Northern Corridor Container Transit Association (NCCTA), warned that population growth and expanding regional economies could put additional pressure on existing port infrastructure.
“The port of Mombasa will be clogged, and the region will be shocked, will be shocked because we are growing in population and economically as well,” he stressed.
South Sudan is not the only country seeking to establish a logistics presence in Naivasha. Rwanda is expected to begin construction of a similar facility, while Burundi has submitted drawings for its proposed development.
According to officials involved in the project, two Rwandan ministers have visited the proposed site to assess preparations for their country’s facility, while Burundi has also submitted plans.
“We had the visit by two ministers from Rwanda. They also came to see their site. The government of Burundi has also submitted drawings,” the officials said.
The planned facilities reflect a wider regional effort to strengthen the Northern Corridor by shifting some cargo-handling and customs operations inland.
Their effectiveness will depend on reliable rail and road connections, efficient customs procedures and coordination among participating countries.
Beyond Naivasha, South Sudan is seeking additional logistics infrastructure at the Kenyan coast to strengthen its position in regional trade.
The country has renewed its request for strategic land allocation at the port of Mombasa and in Malabar to accommodate some of its customs services as it plans to increase investments in the blue economy.
In its appeal to the Kenyan government, South Sudan said access to reliable trade routes was essential to its economic ambitions.