Lanes, drains, and automobiles – new port road driving growth and changing lives
The UK, Denmark and Kenya have officially opened a critical link road at Mombasa Port, which is driving growth through trade and improving the lives of residents.
There was cause to celebrate in Mombasa as the new Mbaraki-Nyerere Road and the Bamburi Drainage Outfall were officially opened in a ceremony at the coast.
The road and drain have been operational since July 2022, and the upgrade from a murram road to a high-quality bitumen road has transformed the lives of the businesses and residents of Mombasa.
The construction of the road was made possible by a three-way partnership between the County Government of Mombasa, the UK Government and the Royal Danish Embassy – and delivered by TradeMark Africa, a pan-African aid-for-trade organisation, whose work has reduced cargo clearance times at Mombasa Port from 11.2 to 3.4 days and led to a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor, from the Port of Mombasa to Bujumbura in Burundi.
Prior to the construction of the road, traffic congestion from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) – the workhorses of Mombasa Port - negatively impacted the productivity and profitability of businesses. The road is – literally – driving growth through trade, as it has led to higher truck utilisation rates, and quicker turnaround times for cargo at the Mbaraki Terminal. 160 local people were directly employed during construction, and 15% were women. The lower congestion has also improved air quality for residents.
The 1.2km road that runs from Mbaraki to Nyerere has also positively impacted the lives of Mombasa’s citizens, due to the incorporation of a 100-meter-long drain, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy. This drain collects water from catchment areas along the roadside, transports it underneath the road, and dispatches it to the Indian Ocean – preventing flooding.
Children’s education was disrupted due to excessive floodwater at a nearby school and an estate. At the Star of the Sea school, for example, children were carried across the floodwaters to their classrooms.
Not only has the road been built to a high-quality, but it was designed and constructed considerately, to meet the needs of the local community. The road comes complete with wide pavements which make pedestrians safer, provide access for persons with disabilities, and make climate-friendly transport options more attractive. It has also been fitted with solar streetlights, which are not dependent on the electricity grid, and also connects to existing drainage from nearby businesses. The road also increases access to local goods and services, such as markets.
The impact of the road is not just limited to Kenya, but also the East Africa region. The Port of Mombasa handles 31 million tons of cargo annually- expected to increase to 50 million by 2050 - and is a gateway for the flow of goods between Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Principal, The Star of the Sea School, said:
This small intervention is having a big impact on the lives of our students. The construction of the drain has prevented severe flooding, meaning our girls at the Star of the Sea school can learn without interruption, they can access school safely, and they have a happy and healthy learning environment.
Mohammed Ali, CEO, BossFreight, said:
The construction of the road has been a game changer for us – we can now transport more cargo, more efficiently, and have happier clients. We would welcome the construction of more high-quality roads that can handle more HGVs.
Mr. Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County, said:
Today marks a pivotal step towards realising our vision of a modern, efficient, and resilient Mombasa. This road is not just an infrastructural improvement; it is a transformative investment that will catalyse trade, enhance mobility, and foster economic growth for our people. We are committed to continuing our collaboration with international partners like TradeMark Africa, Denmark, and the United Kingdom to drive projects that uplift our communities, support sustainable development, and cement Mombasa’s role as a key gateway for regional trade.
Leigh Stubblefield, Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya and Development Director, said:
As the Swahili proverb goes – unity is strength. One of the best ways we can drive growth is through partnerships that deliver high-quality infrastructure, that facilitate smooth trade, that do not load Kenya with debt - and crucially, are considerate of the needs of the local community. The UK is proud to have helped deliver this project with the County Government of Mombasa, The Danish Embassy, and TradeMark Africa. We go far, when we go together.
Elma Adwa, Regional Manager, Royal Danish Embassy, said:
Denmark and the United Kingdom have worked together for over a decade with TradeMark Africa in various projects. Denmark is extremely excited to be part of this initiative of officially opening a critical link road at Mombasa Port, which is driving growth through trade and improving the lives of residents within Mombasa County and beyond. We look forward to more projects that will enable the smooth flow of trade in Kenya.
TMA Deputy CEO and Chief of Programmes, Ms Allen Asiimwe, reaffirmed TMA’s dedication to regional trade, saying:
>TradeMark Africa recognises that efficient physical infrastructure is the backbone of regional trade, directly impacting economic growth, job creation, and community welfare. This road is more than a logistical upgrade—it is an investment in the economic future of Mombasa and Kenya. With our partners, we are committed to facilitating green growth and enhancing trade routes that empower local industries and uplift communities. TMA remains focused on developing resilient trade infrastructure that supports sustainable development goals and strengthens Africa’s trade competitiveness on the global stage.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership
The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here.
Road details
The 1.2km road runs from Mbaraki Road (C1142) to Nyerere Road (A14).
About TradeMark Africa (TMA)
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading African Aid-for-Trade organisation, founded in 2010 with the mission to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable. TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, the Mastercard Foundation, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. TMA works closely with regional and continental organisations, national Governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Since its inception, TMA has delivered substantial gains for trade and regional economic integration in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, including a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor from Mombasa to Bujumbura, and a reduction of an average of 70% in the time taken to cross selected one stop border posts. TMA works in 14 countries across East and West Africa, Southern Africa, and the Horn.
In 2022, TMA set up a catalytic finance company – Trade Catalyst Africa – that will pilot commercially viable projects for creating trade infrastructure (both physical and digital) as well as increasing access to Trade Finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Both TCA’s and TMA’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. Offices are in: EAC (East Africa Community) Secretariat - Arusha, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, and Uganda, with operations in Mozambique, South Sudan, and Zambia. For more information, please visit www.trademarkafrica.com.