Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The road linking Kenya’s Port of Lamu to Ethiopia is now 85% complete, a milestone hailed as a major step in enhancing regional trade integration. Lee Kinyanjui, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, confirmed the progress during a recent announcement that followed the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement between Kenya and Ethiopia.
The new trade deal, concluded after 12 years of negotiations, is expected to open new economic opportunities, particularly for communities along the shared border. Officials say the agreement will simplify the movement of goods and services, foster peaceful cooperation, and drive regional industrial growth.
According to Kinyanjui, completing the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road is now a top priority to ensure efficient logistics between the two countries. With the agreement’s framework in place, both governments are focusing on removing remaining trade barriers.
During the high-level meeting, Kinyanjui and Ethiopia’s Dr. Kassahun Gofe signed a joint communiqué committing to closer regional integration. The session addressed longstanding issues such as border trade zones, product lists, currency usage, trading thresholds, and travel frequency, all vital for practical implementation.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), seeing it as a tool to amplify intra-African trade. Dr. Gofe emphasized that economic cooperation will also promote peace among communities living along the border.
Under the agreement, Kenya will establish a trade hub 100 kilometers from the border, while Ethiopia has already set up its center 50 kilometers from the shared frontier. These centers will act as catalysts for formalized, cross-border commerce.
The LAPSSET corridor, of which the Lamu-Isiolo highway is a key component, is designed to enhance connectivity between Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Kinyanjui confirmed that the Port of Lamu is fully operational, already serving as an import route for Ethiopia.
In 2024, Ethiopia imported 60,000 tons of fertilizer through the port. Due to regulatory differences, Kenyan trucks delivered the goods, as Ethiopian vehicles with more than seven axles are restricted under East African transport rules. Kenya permits a maximum axle load of 56 metric tons and allows only up to three axle groupings, while Ethiopia permits four.
Kinyanjui said harmonizing these axle regulations was a major point of discussion during the trade talks, aiming to reduce friction in transport logistics and improve efficiency.
Last year, Ethiopian Transport Minister Dr. Alemu Sime said Ethiopia was committed to increasing its use of the Port of Lamu to meet the needs of its growing population. He noted that Ethiopian farmers are also eager to use the port to export agricultural products, marking a new era in regional connectivity and trade.
