Kenya, Rwanda Formalise KPA to Boost Regional Trade

Kenya and Rwanda have taken a new step to strengthen regional trade by formalising the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) liaison office in Kigali.

For more than 12 years, the Kenya Ports Authority has served Rwanda through the Port of Mombasa, which remains the main gateway for Rwanda’s international trade.

To bring port services closer to traders, KPA opened a liaison office in Kigali in July 2013. The Government of Rwanda welcomed the move at the time.

However, in 2024, both countries agreed to formalise the arrangement to improve efficiency and coordination along the Northern Corridor.

MoU Signed to Strengthen Cooperation

That commitment became official on January 22, 2026, when Kenya and Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment and operationalisation of the KPA Liaison Office in Kigali.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the State Department of Transport, Mohamed Daghar, and Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Canoth Manishimwe, signed the agreement. The signing took place in the presence of KPA Managing Director Captain William K. Ruto.

The MoU confirms Kenya’s continued commitment to serving Rwandan cargo owners through the Port of Mombasa. At the same time, it strengthens trade facilitation along the Northern Corridor.

Easier Access to Port Services

According to Manishimwe, the agreement formalises a long-standing working arrangement. More importantly, it reflects the shared goal of improving trade efficiency.

“The liaison office has existed for years,” he said. “Formalising it shows our joint efforts to strengthen trade relations and reduce challenges faced by traders.”

He explained that the office will help address issues such as high charges, non-tariff barriers, and difficulties in tracking cargo. As a result, cargo owners will manage operations more easily from Kigali.

Daghar added that the MoU ensures the office operates fully within Rwanda’s legal framework. In addition, it strengthens logistical support for Rwandan importers.

“Since 2013, the office has allowed Rwandan traders to access port services locally,” he said. “This agreement now strengthens and formalises that support.”

Growing Cargo Volumes Through Mombasa

Daghar highlighted Rwanda’s rising use of the Port of Mombasa. In 2025, cargo volumes grew by 22 percent to more than 800,000 metric tonnes.

He said projections show volumes could exceed one million metric tonnes in the near future.

“Rwanda is a key partner for us,” Daghar noted. “Cargo throughput continues to grow steadily.”

Wider Logistics Cooperation

Beyond port services, Kenya and Rwanda are also working together on petroleum logistics and inland container depots.

Daghar said Rwanda is moving forward with plans to establish its own inland container depot in Naivasha. The facility will help improve the handling of transit cargo passing through Kenya.

“Our cooperation goes beyond the port,” he said. “These initiatives will ensure smoother and more efficient cargo movement.”

The MoU took effect immediately. It provides a framework to resolve operational bottlenecks and remove non-tariff barriers along the Northern Corridor.

As a result, officials expect faster cargo movement and stronger trade flows between Kenya and Rwanda.