Kenya and Uganda business communities, heavily reliant on the Malaba and Busia shared border crossings, are set to benefit from an additional trade route option starting next month.
The two nations have collaborated to establish a new Customs post at Suam, adding to the existing one-stop border facilities between them.
The ambitious project, encompassing the Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale trade route, comes at a cost of Ksh5 billion ($35 million) and aims to streamline goods transportation and clearance processes.
The Suam facility, a central component of this initiative, is scheduled to open by September’s end, as confirmed by Raymond Omollo, Kenya’s Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary.
The new Suam border crossing, valued at Ksh100 million ($700,000), will merge immigration, Customs, security, and sanitary inspections under one roof. Independent companies have been instrumental in upgrading the Suam post and the Kitale-Suam road, with their completion anticipated next month.
Funding for this transformative venture has been provided by the African Finance Development Bank, with backing from the Kenyan and Ugandan governments. The principal contractor, China State Engineering Construction Corporation, is expected to play a crucial role in its realization.
Read Also: Kenya And Uganda Railway Project to Boost Trade
Raymond Omollo shared his optimism regarding the project, emphasizing that it will not only bolster trade between Kenya and Uganda but will also stimulate economic activity across the broader East African region, including South Sudan and Djibouti.
The new Customs post is expected to alleviate congestion at the primary international Busia and Malaba border facilities. Furthermore, plans have been revealed to enhance the Lwakhakha one-stop border station in Bungoma, aimed at further easing cross-border traffic.
As part of Uganda’s modernization efforts for the Suam crossing, the Suam-Bukwo-Kapchorwa road has undergone significant upgrades. Sudi Mwatela, the chair of the Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers’ Union, emphasized the potential of this road renovation in reducing congestion at the notoriously traffic-prone Busia and Malaba border crossings.
However, he also raised concerns about the road’s steep and hazardous nature, urging authorities to prioritize safety measures. Principal Secretary Omollo stressed the multifaceted benefits of the initiative, encompassing improved security and increased business opportunities.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel Switch TV
He highlighted the pivotal role the project will play in enhancing business clearance processes and encouraging local investment in cross-border trade. The Suam Customs post is poised to become a pivotal hub for fostering economic growth and connectivity in the East African region.
