Egypt to establish maritime and logistics centre in Mombasa
By Faith Lagat, June 26, 2025Egypt has announced plans to establish a Maritime and Logistics Center in Mombasa, signalling a major boost in bilateral trade and investment cooperation with Kenya.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Egyptian Ambassador Wael Nasr Eldin Attiya during a high-level meeting with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), led by Managing Director Capt. William Ruto. The strategic initiative is part of a broader effort to deepen ties between the two nations and position Mombasa as a leading regional logistics hub.
“The ambassador applauded Kenya’s infrastructure investments, particularly at the Port of Mombasa, noting they have enhanced efficiency and positioned it as a regional logistics hub,” KPA said in a post on X dated June 26, 2025.
The proposed centre will anchor Egypt’s involvement in the expansion of key trade corridors, including the Port of Mombasa, the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, Lamu Port, and inland waterways. The move is in line with Egypt’s 2030 strategy to become a dominant logistics hub and attract global investment.
“He said both countries are committed to strengthening bilateral relations to attract investors in the expansion of the Port of Mombas,” KPA added.
Capt. Ruto welcomed the initiative, calling on Egyptian investors to take advantage of Kenya’s improved port infrastructure. He also reaffirmed KPA’s support for collaborative efforts aimed at boosting regional logistics capacity.
“Capt. Ruto encouraged Egyptian investors to leverage Kenya’s infrastructure advancements and pledged KPA’s full support,” the statement read.
Kenya’s investments in logistics—such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Mombasa to inland depots and new cranes capable of handling vessels up to 10,000 TEUs—have already helped push container traffic up by 22.7 percent to 1.46 million TEUs in 2024.
Photos shared from the meeting captured a symbolic exchange—a model ship handed between Capt. Ruto and Ambassador Attiya, reflecting a shared vision for future maritime cooperation.
As talks progress, the planned centre is expected to open new opportunities for regional trade, enhance investor confidence, and reinforce Mombasa’s status as the Gateway to East and Central Africa, benefiting landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
This development marks a significant step forward in Egypt–Kenya relations, offering a strategic partnership that could reshape East Africa’s logistics landscape.