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Implementation of the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme Eastern and Southern Africa (TTTFP)

This programme is relevant for the Agenda 2030. It contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG target 9 (built resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster industrialisation), but also promotes progress towards Goal "Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all".  This does not imply a commitment by the Member States of SADC, COMESA and EAC benefiting from this programme.

The overall strategic objective is “to facilitate the development of a more competitive, integrated and liberalised regional road transport market in the East and Southern African region.

The project purpose is to develop and implement harmonised road transport policies, laws, regulations and standards for efficient cross border road transport and transit networks, transport and logistics services, systems and procedures in the East and Southern African region.

The expected results are:

Result 1: EA-SA Vehicle Load Management Strategy Implemented;
Result 2: Harmonised EA-SA vehicle regulations and standards implemented;
Result 3: Preconditions for an operational EA-SA transport registers and information platform and system implemented;
Result 4: Efficiency of regional transport corridors improved.


Beneficiaries and Stakeholders

The principal beneficiaries and stakeholders are:

  • The three Tripartite Regional Economic Communities (RECs) (COMESA, EAC and SADC);
  • Public Sector- Ministries, regulatory agencies and government executing agencies responsible for transport policy and transport infrastructure development and other ministries involved in road transport, traffic and infrastructure;
  • Private Sector- Service providers such as cross border transporters and clearing and forwarding agencies, port and maritime authorities in the transport and logistics industry;
  • Public and Private sector industry associations and federations such as Association of SADC National Road Agencies (ASANRA), Federation of East and Southern Africa Road Transporter Associations, Federation of Clearing and Forwarding Associations of Southern Africa (FCFASA), Federation of East African Freight Forwarders (FEAFFA) and Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA), Corridor Management Institutions (CMIs).

Technical Assistance

The programme will provide Technical Assistance (TA) to member states to assist them to comply with the obligations of Chapter 5 (Road Transport) and Chapter 6 (Road Traffic) provisions of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology and the road transport laws, regulations, standards and systems developed under the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme. 

The TA request procedures and TA Request Template to be completed can be found below:

EAC Road Transport sub-sector Projects

The following are EAC roads sector projects directly coordinated by the EAC Secretariat:

 1. Kenya/Tanzania: Arusha – Namanga – Athi River Road Project (240 km) Road

The objective of this 240 km long road project was to construct a highway to boost regional trade and tourism and reduce transportation costs.

The rehabilitated Arusha – Namanga – Athi River Road was launched by the EAC Heads of State at Athi River Town in Kenya on 28 November 2012. The completed construction of a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Namanga has also facilitated the region in realising the full benefits of the reconstructed road, that is, the reduction of transit times at the borders and lower costs of vehicle operations. With the completion of the road project, the highway now has a uniform width of 7.0m and 2.0m wide shoulders, thus providing a safe driving environment and reducing travel time between Nairobi and Arusha from 5 hours to 3 hours.

 

2. Kenya/Tanzania: Arusha – Holili – Taveta – Voi Road Project (260 km) Road

Linking Kenya and Tanzania at the Teveta/Holili border, the objective of the project was to improve the access road linking the Central and Northern Corridors and the port of Mombasa. The project scope included widening to dual carriageway standards of a 14 km section in Arusha, construction of a new 42 km long bypass of Arusha city and upgrading from gravel to bitumen surface of the 90 km stretch from the Taveta border town to Mwatate in Kenya. The Kenyan section of the road was completed in June, 2017 while the Tanzanian components were completed in April, 2019. Similarly, construction of a One Stop Border Post at Holili/Taveta is complete and operational.

 

3. Kenya/Tanzania: Malindi – Lunga Lunga and Tanga – Bagamoyo (400 km) Road

The road runs along the East African coastline which has a rich tourism and agricultural (horticultural) potential. The project has several components: the Nyali – Mtwapa Dual carriageway including grade separated junctions, Mtwapa – Kilifi – Malindi (Kenya) and the Tanga – Mkwaja – Bagamoyo road, the Pangani River Bridge and the Wami River Bridge (Tanzania). The detailed designs for the project were completed and submitted to the EAC Secretariat and the national roads authorities in Kenya and Tanzania in June, 2015. The project is currently at construction bidding stage and will be funded through a loan from the ADF and a grant from the EU.

 

4. Tanzania/Rwanda: Lusahunga – Rusumo (91 km) & Kayonza – Kigali (75 km) Road

The road includes the rehabilitation of the pavement and widening of the carriageway on the Tanzanian side and strengthening and widening of the road on the Rwandan side. Feasibility studies commenced in April, 2016 and were completed in February, 2019. Mobilization of funds for construction is ongoing and it is expected that the bidding process will commence during 2020.

 

5. Tanzania/Burundi: Nyakanazi – Kasulu – Manyovu (260 km) & Rumonge – Rutunga – Bujumbura (45 km) Road

The project scope involves upgrading from gravel to bitumen of 200km on the Tanzanian side and the rehabilitation of the bitumen section in Burundi. Feasibility studies commenced in April, 2016 and were completed in November 2018. Funding for works has been secured from the AfDB and bidding for construction contracts is ongoing.

 

6. Uganda/Tanzania: Masaka-Mutukula-Kyaka (120 km) & Bugene-Kasulo-Kumunazi (133 km) Road

The project scope consists of rehabilitation of the bitumen section in Uganda and the upgrading from gravel to bitumen of the road section on the Tanzanian side. The studies commenced in August, 2018 and are scheduled for completion by the end  of 2020. Mobilization of funds for construction is also ongoing.

 

Road Transport in East Africa

The EAC has facilitated sector reforms which include the formation of Road Boards (or Road Funds), Road Agencies, dedicated participation of private sector, harmonisation of regional policies and axle loads control in the road sub-sector. All the Partner States have road fund boards and road agencies.

The EAC has identified ten main corridors with a total length of about 15,000 km, which constitute the East African Regional Road Network. These are roads of strategic importance in facilitating trade and require to be kept in excellent condition. In order to ensure a high level of serviceability, the EAC in collaboration with Partner States has put in place a collaboration platform with development partners in order to mobilize funds for the development of these corridors.

The Community has identified ten main corridors (a total length of about 14,460 km), which constitute a strategic priority and require rehabilitation and upgrading.

The Northern Corridor from Mombasa to Bujumbura is part of the Trans-African Highway (Mombasa - Lagos) while the Tunduma - Moyale road is part of the Cape to Cairo Highway.

There are two transit corridors that facilitate import and export activities in the region:

  • The Northern Corridor (1,700 km long) commencing from the port of Mombasa and serves Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern DRC.
  • The Central Corridor (1,300 km long) begins at the port of Dar es Salaam and serves Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Eastern DRC.

The ten major road transport corridors are:

1. Northern Corridor Mombasa

Nairobi – Nakuru – Eldoret – Bungoma – Malaba – Bugiri – Jinja – Kampala – Masaka – Katuna/Gatuna – Kigali – Nemba/Gasenyi – Ngozi - Kayanza – Bugarama - Bujumbura

Corridor Length (rounded):  2,080km

2. Central Corridor

Dar es Salaam – Morogoro – Dodoma – Singida – Nzega – Tinde – Isaka - Lusahunga to:
(i) Gisenyi via Rusumo and Kigali
(ii) Bujumbura via Nyakasanza, Kobero and Gitega
(iii) Masaka via Bukoba and Mutukula

Corridor Length (rounded): 2,170km

3. Dar es Salaam (TAZARA) Corridor

Morogoro – Iringa – Mbeya -Tunduma

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,100km

4. Namanga Corridor

Iringa – Dodoma - Babati – Arusha – Namanga – Nairobi – Thika -Murang’a – Embu – Nyeri – Nanyuki – Isiolo – Marsabit - Moyale

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,800km

5. Sumbawanga Corridor

Tunduma – Sumbawanga –Mpanda – Uvinza – Kasulu – Manyovu/Mugina – Makamba -Nyanza Lac – Rumonge -Bujumbura

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,260km

6. Sirari Corridor

Biharamulo – Mwanza – Musoma - Sirari/Isebania – Kisii - Kisumu – Kakamega – Webuye - Kitale - Lodwar Lokichokio

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,500km

7. Coastal Corridor

Mingoyo - Dar es Salaam - Bagamoyo – Tanga – Horohoro/Lunga lunga – Kwale – Mombasa – Kilifi – Malindi - Lamu

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,500km

8. Mtwara Corridor

Mtwara – Mingoyo – Masasi –Tunduru – Songea - Mbamba Bay

Corridor Length (rounded): 800km

9. Tanga Corridor

Tanga – Arusha – Musoma – Lake Victoria - Kampala

Corridor Length (rounded): 1,650km

10. Gulu Corridor

Nimule – Bibia – Gulu – Lira – Soroti – Mbale - Tororo

Corridor Length (rounded): 600km

Total EAC Road Corridor Network Length 14,460km


East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org  |  sgoffice@eachq.org