East African Leaders Agree to Extend Standard Gauge Railway to Uganda, Rwanda & DRC
Nairobi/Kampala
The governments of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have agreed to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Kenya into neighbouring capitals, a move expected to revolutionise regional trade and connectivity.
The new routing — from Naivasha to Malaba and onward to Kampala, Kigali and parts of eastern DRC — will ease movement of goods and people, reduce transport costs, and bolster East Africa’s role in continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Uganda has already started foundational work on the first phase connecting Malaba to Kampala. Kenyan segments from Naivasha to Kisumu are also progressing with an anticipated operational launch in phases over the next four years.
Why It Matters
The SGR extension will unlock economic opportunities, enhance inter-regional integration, and support growth of manufacturing, agriculture, and services sectors across multiple East African economies.
What to Watch
- Construction timelines and financing models
- Trade volume impacts on key corridors
- Cross-border regulatory harmonisation
