US Firm Backs $3.5 Billion Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway to Transform Kenyan Transport
Massive US Investment Aims to Shake Up Kenyan Transport
Kenya is on the brink of a huge infrastructure transformation, and it’s driven by a US player aiming to redefine how goods and people move between Nairobi and Mombasa. Everstrong Capital, a US-based firm specializing in infrastructure investment, has secured backing to develop the massive $3.5 billion Usahihi Expressway, a 440-kilometer four-lane road stretching across the nation’s main economic artery.
The scale of this road project is hard to overstate. Not only will it connect Kenya's bustling capital with its busy port city, but this expressway could slash travel times between the two cities by hours. Right now, congested roads and unpredictable delays mean truckers and buses can take up to 12 hours to make the trip. With the new expressway, that journey might drop to just four or five hours, which is a complete game-changer for businesses and travelers alike.
The development was announced during President William Ruto’s state visit to the US in May 2024, highlighting just how much rides on this deal. For Kenya, it marks the first large-scale road project with direct US backing, and it comes at a time when global powers are vying for influence in Africa’s growing economies. The expressway stands in direct contrast to the Chinese-financed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which, while ambitious, hasn’t attracted the amount of freight traffic initially hoped for. Complaints about SGR’s cost, inflexible schedules, and operational issues have left road transport as the king of Kenyan logistics.
Now, with Everstrong Capital leading the charge, Kenya is banking on the project’s potential to supercharge trade routes not just within the country, but across the wider East African region. Industry watchers have been quick to call the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway a “gateway to East Africa,” positioning it as an upgrade Kenya has needed for decades.
How the Expressway Will Work—and Who Will Pay
Financing a $3.5 billion dream isn’t easy, but Everstrong has wasted no time rallying investment. An official signing ceremony in Nairobi sealed a Transaction Advisory and Placement Services Agreement—essentially giving the US firm the go-ahead to seek global equity, debt, and development finance for the project.
Plans call for construction to kick off in 2026. The goal is to wrap the whole thing up in about four years. Once operational, the expressway will run as a 30-year concession, a kind of “build-operate-transfer” deal that lets the company recoup costs through road tolls. But these aren’t tolls every driver will feel. Instead, the project is designed to tap into the steady flow of heavy commercial traffic and freight trucks rolling between the port and inland hubs. These tolls are expected to cover about three-quarters of the project’s running costs—a model similar to some US and European expressways.
For Kenyan businesses, especially those dealing in import and export, the new road means faster, more reliable logistics. The expressway is expected to stimulate economic zones along its route and spark new investments in manufacturing, agriculture, and services. With international experience behind them, Everstrong Capital’s team will be closely watched as they try to negotiate the common pitfalls of big infrastructure—land rights, relocation, environmental issues, and good old-fashioned politicking.
One thing's clear: the expressway isn’t just a road. It’s Kenya’s bold play to attract more global capital, loosen logistical bottlenecks, and tip the balance of East African trade even further in its favor. Within a few years, that drive between Nairobi and Mombasa might look—and feel—very different.
WILL WILLIAMS
July 14, 2025 AT 16:33Just wow-this $3.5 billion highway could crank Kenya’s logistics into overdrive! Imagine cruising from Nairobi to Mombasa in half the time-pure game‑changer.
Barry Hall
July 15, 2025 AT 20:20Totally agree, the boost could be massive 😊. Let’s keep an eye on how the toll model shapes up.
abi rama
July 17, 2025 AT 00:06The Nairobi‑Mombasa corridor has long been the lifeline of East African trade, funneling countless containers each day.
By slashing travel time from twelve hours to just four or five, the expressway promises to double the efficiency of freight movements.
Faster routes mean lower fuel consumption, which could translate into significant cost savings for shippers and drivers alike.
Moreover, the reduction in idle time on congested roads may cut emissions, offering an environmental upside to the massive infrastructure spend.
The project's financing structure, a 30‑year concession with tolls earmarked for commercial trucks, mirrors successful models seen in Europe and North America.
However, the reliance on toll revenue also raises concerns about affordability for smaller transport firms that operate on thin margins.
Land acquisition and resettlement have historically been flashpoints for Kenyan projects, and this expressway will need to navigate those challenges delicately.
Environmental impact assessments must be thorough, especially since the route cuts through several wildlife corridors and agricultural zones.
If managed well, the corridor could spur the development of special economic zones, attracting manufacturers who value quick port access.
Local job creation during the construction phase is another tangible benefit, potentially employing thousands of Kenyan workers.
The involvement of a US firm like Everstrong Capital signals a shift in the geopolitical financing landscape, offering an alternative to Chinese‑backed ventures.
This diversification may give Kenya more leverage in negotiating terms and securing favorable loan conditions.
Critics will likely point out that roads can be more vulnerable to maintenance backlogs than rail, so a robust upkeep plan is essential.
The success of the expressway will ultimately depend on seamless coordination between government agencies, private investors, and community stakeholders.
If those pieces fall into place, the highway could indeed become the “gateway to East Africa” that industry watchers are forecasting.
Megan Riley
July 18, 2025 AT 03:53Absolutely!!! This is such a promising outlook-though we cant forget the on‑ground realities!!! Land issues, enviro‑concerns, & community buy‑in are huge!!! If Kenya nails those, the expressway could truly shine!!! Keep the optimism rolling!!!
Lester Focke
July 19, 2025 AT 07:40While the enthusiasm is palpable, one must consider the macro‑economic ramifications of such a debt‑laden endeavor. The structuring of tolls, perhaps, requires a rigorous actuarial analysis to ensure fiscal sustainability. Moreover, the geopolitical underpinnings merit scholarly examination beyond mere commercial optimism.