Kenya is investing 100 billion shillings to connect the north of the country with Ethiopia and Somalia.
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The Kenyan government continues to implement Her plans aimed To promote economic development in the north of the country, taking advantage of the marked improvement in security conditions which has allowed residents to engage in economic activities in a more stable environment, and opened the way for new investment and development opportunities.
In this context, the government is implementing the “Gateway to the Horn of Africa Development” project, a strategic corridor that extends for 750 kilometers from the city of Isiolo to Mandera via Wajir, at an estimated cost of 100 billion Kenyan shillings.
Kenya strengthens connectivity between northern counties
The project aims to enhance connectivity between the northern counties, as it passes through Isiolo, Meroe, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera, and also contributes to strengthening regional connectivity by linking Kenya with both Ethiopia and Somalia, thus supporting trade and cross-border movement.
The development corridor is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation and logistics costs, expand access to local and regional markets, and support cross-border trade, particularly in the livestock sector, which is one of the most important economic activities in northern Kenya.
To ensure the project is implemented according to the specified timetable, the government contracted with more than 11 contracting companies to undertake the implementation of the various phases of the project, which is considered one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region.
As part of monitoring the progress of the work, officials conducted an inspection tour of the ongoing construction work along the Isiolo-Mandera road, specifically in the 64-kilometer section between Tarbag and Kotolo in the Tarbag constituency of Wajir district.
The Kenyan government is counting on the project to transform the north of the country into a vital economic and commercial hub, taking advantage of its strategic location as a gateway linking East Africa to the Horn of Africa, which will contribute to boosting economic growth, creating jobs and improving living standards for local residents.
