The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with the Governments of Kenya and Uganda and the African Development Bank (AfDB), is set to host a Market Sounding Conference on October 20–21, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda.
The high-level meeting aims to attract investment and private sector participation in financing the 193-kilometre Kenya–Uganda Multinational Expressway Project, linking Kisumu–Busia in Kenya to Kakira–Malaba in Uganda.
The expressway, part of the Northern Transport Corridor, is one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives designed to enhance trade, improve logistics efficiency, and deepen cross-border integration.
The project also includes the modernization of Busia, Malaba, and Lwakhakha into One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) to simplify customs clearance and facilitate the free movement of goods and people.
Hon. Andrea Ariik Malueth, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Planning, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, described the expressway as a game-changer for East Africa’s connectivity agenda.
“This project is not just about building a road; it is about creating a modern, safe, and efficient transport artery that connects businesses, people, and opportunities across East Africa,” he said.
The two-day conference will serve as a strategic platform for government officials, investors, development partners, and financiers to discuss financing options and investment models.
Delegates will review findings from detailed feasibility and environmental studies, engineering designs, and a Bankability Report outlining viable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks.
“The Market Sounding Conference is a turning point in our efforts to establish a sustainable infrastructure development strategy driven by private sector participation,” Hon. Malueth added. “It will help transform trade, strengthen regional integration, and unlock opportunities for millions of our citizens.”
The EAC and AfDB hope the event will generate robust investor interest and shape consensus around the most efficient financing structure for the project. Discussions will focus on mobilizing resources, ensuring environmental sustainability, and creating an inclusive model that delivers long-term value for the region.
Expected outcomes include stronger commitments from development partners and financiers, practical proposals to mitigate environmental and social impacts, and a unified roadmap for implementation.
Once complete, the expressway is projected to reduce transport costs, boost trade volumes, and accelerate economic growth—cementing its role as a key driver of East Africa’s regional integration and prosperity