Kenya is set to build an international highway connecting Mombasa and the Republic of Congo in a move aimed at boosting trade between the two countries.
In a statement dated Wednesday, March 1, the Ministry of Transport indicated that Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen met with his Congolese counterpart, Jean Jacques Bouya, to discuss details of the mega project.
The ministry revealed that the project would begin from Mombasa to Brazzaville to Point Noire.
It was explained that upon completion, the transit of goods would be made easier and in turn boost the economy of both countries.
"The CS hosted Bouya, Minister for State, Regional Planning and Infrastructure of the Republic of Congo when he called on him at his office in Nairobi.
" We discussed plans to develop the Mombasa - Brazzavile-Point Noire international highway as a major continental transit corridor that would boost trade & create job opportunities on the corridor," read the statement in part.
However, the costs and timelines for the international project were not disclosed.
Nonetheless, the project will include the involvement of other neighbouring countries given that the road will cross their borders before crossing over to the Republic of Congo.
On the other hand, it was indicated that other key infrastructural projects also took centre stage during the discussions.
"The meeting discussed the resumption and enhancement of aviation links between Kenya and Congo and modalities for intensified cooperation in air services between the respective national carriers of the two countries," read the statement in part.
If it sails through, the mega project will become among the few international highways in the country such as those in the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project.
Under the project launched by former President Mwai Kibaki, it incorporated the inter-regional highways from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba (South Sudan) and Isiolo to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
