South Sudan and Kenya have renewed efforts to complete a key road linking the two countries, saying the project would reduce cargo transit times from the Kenyan port of Mombasa to Juba and strengthen trade and economic integration.
The commitment was made during talks in Nairobi this week between South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Minister James Pitia Morgan and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
The ministers discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on the planned road connecting Lokichokio in Kenya to Nadapal on the South Sudan border and onward to Juba.
“We mainly focused on the transport of goods from Mombasa to Juba,” Morgan told South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) after the meeting.
South Sudan, a landlocked country, depends heavily on the Port of Mombasa for imports, with most cargo currently transported through Kenya and Uganda before reaching Juba.
Morgan said both governments viewed completion of the Lokichokio-Nadapal-Juba corridor as a priority because it would provide a more direct route into South Sudan.
“At the moment we are using Mombasa, Nairobi, Kampala and then Juba. Once the Nadapal road is completed, it will be the best route and will help drive economic development for both countries,” he said.
He said the new corridor would shorten delivery times, reduce transport costs and improve security along the trade route.
Morgan said Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding ties with South Sudan and supported efforts to improve transport connectivity between the neighbouring countries.
The ministers also pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation by expanding trade, investment and cross-border infrastructure projects.
The proposed Lokichokio-Nadapal-Juba highway has been under discussion for years as part of broader regional efforts to improve transport links between Kenya and South Sudan. Once completed, the corridor is expected to provide a shorter alternative to the current cargo route through Uganda, lowering logistics costs for South Sudan, whose economy relies heavily on imports through the Port of Mombasa. The road is also expected to facilitate cross-border trade, improve security and enhance regional integration under the East African Community.
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