By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The private sector in Rwanda has commended KPA’s efforts in streamlining the efficiency of the northern transport corridor to facilitate ease of doing business.
During a collaborative engagement session held in Kigali, Rwanda, by the Private Sector of Rwanda and KPA, various stakeholders including policymakers, private sector representatives, and development partners discussed the challenges and opportunities in the transport and logistics sector.
Dr. Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, commended the government of Kenya and KPA for their efforts in promoting regional trade.
During the meeting, Capt. William Ruto, the Managing Director of KPA, emphasized the strategic measures implemented by KPA to guarantee the durability and competitiveness of the Port of Mombasa and other port infrastructures.
These initiatives play a vital role in supporting and upholding efficient logistics networks in the region.
“Rwanda serves as a significant transit market for the Port of Mombasa, with performance data indicating a consistent increase in Rwanda-bound cargo passing through Mombasa,” stated KPA.
According to Kenya Ports Authority, last year the Port of Mombasa handled 520,201 metric tons of cargo compared to 429,857 metric tons recorded in 2022 representing a 21 percent growth.
Continuous stakeholder consultations have led to the national government, along with KPA and other pertinent government bodies, working on projects to enhance the northern transport corridor’s reliability and efficiency.
A key project involves KPA extending the free storage period for transit customers from nine to 15 days.
The operational Naivasha Inland Container Depot offers transit customers the advantage of reduced transit times for their cargo by integrating freight transport through the linkage of the Standard Gauge Railway and Metre Gauge Railway from the Port of Mombasa to the border town of Malaba.
Mr. Fidele Abimana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure in Rwanda, along with Rosine Uwamaria, the Country Director of Trademark Africa Rwanda, were among the leaders who actively engaged in the discussions.