The Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor encompasses a new deep-water port at Lamu, over 1,700 kilometres of road and railway, an oil pipeline, and a series of resort cities along Kenya's northern coast. The total project cost is estimated at $25 billion, making it the most ambitious infrastructure project in East Africa. The Lamu port, which opened its first three berths in 2021, is designed to eventually rival Mombasa by providing Kenya with a second deep-water gateway and giving South Sudan and Ethiopia a shorter route to the Indian Ocean than current alternatives.
Progress and Challenges
Port construction is advancing, with four additional berths under construction and cargo handling operations underway. The road corridor to Ethiopia's border is partially completed. Railway construction from Lamu to Isiolo has faced financing gaps and security challenges in northern Kenya. The crude oil pipeline, which was to transport oil from South Sudan and northern Kenya's Turkana oil fields to Lamu, has been delayed by oil price uncertainty and South Sudan security concerns. Logistics companies and cargo owners planning for LAPSSET can access corridor updates and contacts on intra-africa.com.
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