The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a sweeping procurement plan aimed at transforming transport and trade infrastructure across Northern Kenya, as part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), a World Bank-funded regional initiative.

In a public notice published in the MyGov newspaper on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, KeNHA stated that it has updated its General Procurement Notice (GPN) to reflect the new procurement needs for the multi-billion-shilling project, which targets the Isiolo-Mandera corridor, a historically underserved but strategically vital part of Kenya.

The government intends to allocate a portion of the International Development Association (IDA) financing to a range of new infrastructure projects and services aimed at improving the movement of people and goods, enhancing digital connectivity, and strengthening border logistics. The updates follow a review of the initial procurement strategy, published in 2017, to reflect market shifts and revised cost projections

KeNHA Opens Procurement for Key Components

Installation of fiber Optic Cable: Civil works for the design and build of a fiber optic line along the Elwak–Mandera Road are set to begin, targeting improved digital access in remote regions.

Bridges and Roads: New bridges, approach roads, and access routes are to be constructed in Rhamu and Mandera, easing long-standing bottlenecks for both local and cross-border travel.

Border Trade Infrastructure: One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), Kenya Revenue Authority accommodation blocks, and Trade Facilitation Centres are to be erected at key northern points to support streamlined customs and boost regional commerce.

Weighbridges and Load Control: Three virtual weighbridge stations and three static axle load control stations will also be developed to improve road safety and preserve the integrity of the highway.

According to KeNHA, the procurement of all goods, works, and services under this initiative will be conducted in line with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (5th Edition, September 2023). This will be open to all bidders worldwide.

The Horn of Africa Gateway Project is Kenya’s flagship effort to open up neglected northern counties and integrate them economically with the rest of the country and the wider region. The corridor links Kenya with Ethiopia and Somalia, aiming to boost cross-border movement, lower transport costs, and open up trade opportunities for communities that have long been cut off from major markets.

The implementing authority urged interested firms to monitor upcoming Specific Procurement Notices (SPNs), which will be published progressively on the World Bank website and local newspapers.