IGAD Breaks Ground on New Mandera Border Facility to Speed Up Trade with Ethiopia
MANDERA – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has announced the start of construction on a One-Stop Border Point (OSBP) and new bridges at the Kenya-Ethiopia border in Mandera County. The cross-border facility will link Mandera with Suftu in Ethiopia, aiming to ease trade, reduce security threats, and improve the daily lives of residents in both countries.
IGAD’s Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Abebaw Bihonegn, led a delegation during a site inspection of the proposed location. He confirmed that the construction is scheduled to take three months and will include digital fiber connectivity to streamline services.
“This project is designed to reduce delays, stop illegal crossings, and expand opportunities for small traders and border communities,” Bihonegn stated. “I urge the local communities to fully support its completion.”
The OSBP will integrate customs, immigration, and security operations under one roof to accelerate cross-border movement. The streamlined system is expected to cut clearance times, curb smuggling, and promote legal trade between the two countries.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif welcomed the initiative and pledged county support for its timely completion. “This project will unlock new markets for our people and build stronger ties with our neighbors in Ethiopia,” he said. “I appreciate IGAD’s ongoing work to promote development and integration across member states.”
Governor Khalif added that the county would provide all the logistical and administrative assistance needed to fast-track construction.
The project forms part of IGAD’s broader regional agenda to strengthen trade links, support peace-building, and boost infrastructure development across the Horn of Africa. Once complete, the OSBP is expected to become a critical trade artery and an example of cross-border cooperation in Eastern Africa.
