Africa as a global economic powerhouse, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Assets Management, Mr. Cyrell Odede Wagunda, has placed Kenya at the forefront of the continent’s infrastructure transformation.
Delivering keynote remarks at the 15th Africa PPP Summit on October 30, Mr. Wagunda emphasized the urgent need for modernized ports and airports to expand intra-African and global trade routes, spotlighting Kenya’s Port of Mombasa as a model for success.
“Africa’s development of ports and airports is not simply an infrastructure agendait is a strategic vision for our future economic prosperity,” Mr. Wagunda declared to an audience of policymakers, investors, and industry leaders at the summit, held from October 28-31 at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek,Namibia.
He called for prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and regional integration to unlock the continent’s trade potential under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which could boost intra-African trade by up to 33% and slash the trade deficit by 51%
The Public Investments and Assets Management PS highlighted the ongoing expansion and modernization of the Port of Mombasa, which has seen cargo handling surge to 41.1 million tonnes in 2024, a 14.2% increase from the previous year.
As East Africa’s largest port, Mombasa serves as a vital gateway for landlocked neighbors including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia
Recent investments, including a Ksh41 billion injection for upgrades, are set to enhance annual capacity and reduce cargo dwell times, making African businesses more competitive globally
Mr. Wagunda warned of persistent challenges like port congestion and outdated infrastructure across Africa, which inflate logistics costs and hinder growth.
However, he positioned Kenya’s efforts, such as advanced cargo systems and improved inland connectivity, as a blueprint for overcoming these hurdles.
“Ports reduce logistics costs, accelerate trade, and create much-needed employment,” he stated, aligning with AfCFTA’s projected 28% rise in intra-African freight demand by 2030
Shifting to aviation, the Principal Secretary underscored airports’ role in linking Africa internally and to world markets.
He praised the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship African Union initiative launched in 2018 to unify airspace and boost connectivity
With 38 states now committed, SAATM has enabled 108 new intra-African routes, but Mr. Wagunda stressed that “open skies alone can’t bring transformation—we need quality investments in airport development.”
Kenya, a key participant in SAATM , is prioritizing such projects to tap into Africa’s status as the world’s fastest-growing air travel market, driven by its vast population.
Delegates at the summit, focused on public-private partnerships for infrastructure, applauded Mr. Wagunda’s vision, with many viewing Kenya’s model as pivotal for continental progress.
As AfCFTA implementation gains momentum—potentially increasing maritime freight demand by 62% the Principal Secretary’s call resonates: Africa must act now to become a “powerhouse in the global economy.
Kenya’s proactive stance, exemplified by partnerships like Emirates Airlines’ use of the country as a strategic gateway, underscores its frontline role in this trade revolution.
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