Tanzania-Kenya Highway Upgrade to Boost Trade

Posted on : Thursday , 30th July 2015

The upgrade of a key link road between Tanzania and Kenya is underway, raising prospects for enhanced cross-border trade.

The expansion of the multimillion-dollar superhighway running from Arusha-Holili in Tanzania to Taveta-Voi in Kenya, is expected to ease the movement of goods from Kenya's Mombasa port to landlocked countries.

The superhighway, which will be implemented in two phases on the Tanzanian side, commenced with a 14km four-lane road from Tengeru town to Sakina suburb on the Arusha-Moshi highway.

The projects manager of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Deusdedit Kakoko, confirmed that the contractor is on site and is expected to complete the work in 16 months.

According to Mr Kakoko, the four-lane road will be constructed by South Korean-based company Hanil-Jiangsu JV and Cheil Engineering Company.

The first phase will comprise civil works for the construction of the Arusha bypass (42.4 km) as well as two roadside amenities at Tengeru, on both sides of the dual carriageway.

The second phase will include Tengeru-Usa River, and a two-lane road from Usa-River to Holili, to then join the Taveta-Voi road.

EAC principal engineer Hossea Nyangweso said the $232.5 million highway also involves the upgrading of the Taveta-Mwatate portion (89km) and construction of the Taveta bypass (12km) and two roadside amenities, one on each side at Bura and Maktau along the Mwatate-Taveta Road in Kenya.

Kenya's side will cost $113.12 million; the Tanzanian side $120 million.

"The project, to be completed by December 2018, will see the governments of Kenya and Tanzania contributing $15.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively," Mr Nyangweso said.