EAC: $20bn needed for transport infrastructure

14 March 2011

Some $20 billion (£12 billion) is needed to regenerate the transport infrastructure of the East African Community (EAC).

Comprising Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, the EAC is looking to improve the Central and Northern Corridors, the East African reports.

EAC director for infrastructure Phillip Wambungu said the two routes are vital for national, regional and international trade.

"Our objective is to develop an efficient transport system that will reduce costs and facilitate trade and investments," he added.

Mr Wambungu remarked $4.1 billion needs to be raised by 2015 in order to provide the transport links with a facelift.

The ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, roads and rail infrastructure all need to be enhanced, according to a diagnostic study carried out by the body.

Intra-regional trade could be boosted by nearly 30 per cent with improved efficiency, the news provider observed.

It comes after it was announced the Thika super highway in Kenya is set to be completed by the end of 2011.
 

Category: Transport