Mombasa, Kenya – The recent completion and opening of the Dongo Kundu bypass is set to significantly boost cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania, according to officials.
The $307 million infrastructure project, which connects Mombasa port to the Lunga-Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP), eliminates the need for traders to use the busy Likoni ferry. This is expected to streamline the movement of goods between the two East African nations.
Lunga-Lunga is the second busiest border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania, after Namanga.
The bypass is part of a larger regional development initiative, the East African Coastal Corridor, which aims to improve transportation links between Malindi in Kenya and Bagamoyo in Tanzania. This ambitious project is being financed by the African Development Bank and the European Union.
Kenya primarily exports manufactured goods and raw materials to Tanzania through Lunga-Lunga, while Tanzania exports mainly agricultural products.
The Dongo Kundu bypass, a 17.5-kilometer road, is expected to revolutionize transport in the region, with benefits extending to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Mombasa International Airport.
Kenha Deputy Director Samuel Ogege confirmed the successful handover of the project and assured the public that an internal committee is diligently overseeing safety and operational standards before a formal opening ceremony.
The bypass is toll-free and is anticipated to significantly reduce congestion at the Likoni ferry, benefiting the tourism sector. The project also includes three impressive bridges, including the Mteza Bridge, touted as the longest overwater bridge in the region.
The East African Coastal Corridor project, with a total estimated cost of $751 million, is a collaborative effort between Kenya and Tanzania. The African Development Bank is funding 70% of the project, with the two countries sharing the remaining 30%.
Kenya has already completed 85% of the initial phases of the highway within its borders.
