Mombasa City urged to improve transport sector to sustain maritime trade

The leaders of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa Chapter are urging the Mombasa County Government to enhance local transport systems to attract more investments in the maritime sector. They believe that an efficient transport network will bolster trade and solidify Mombasa's standing as a premier commercial center in East and Central Africa.

According to KNCCI representative Abud Jamal, while cargo volumes at the Port of Mombasa present lucrative investment prospects, the city must bolster its logistics infrastructure, skills, and investment climate to capitalize on these opportunities fully.

The forum, which brought together business leaders, key stakeholders, public authorities, and the Kenya Maritime Authority, emphasized the need for capacity building and capital injection to position investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and logisticians for success. Jamal stressed that improving the maritime and logistics sector would enable businesses to compete on regional and global scales by delivering services and products that meet international benchmarks.

Juma Ahmed, Assistant Director of Ports and Shipping Services at the Kenya Maritime Authority, noted the Port of Mombasa's impressive growth over the past five years, with cargo and vessel traffic surging by approximately 12.5%. This expansion has opened new avenues for investment and trade, but Ahmed cautioned that Mombasa must adapt to the evolving demands of the maritime industry.

He stressed that both the port city and the nation must seize the opportunities presented by the rising trade volumes and capitalize on the growth of the Port of Mombasa.

Mauritius-based logistics expert and Logi-Consult CEO Rhavy Nursimulu called on Mombasa to transcend its traditional role as a transit port and cultivate a more comprehensive maritime and logistics value chain. Nursimulu highlighted Mombasa's potential to emerge as a hub for trade, logistics, maritime education, and business conferences, thereby unlocking greater value from the blue economy.

Stakeholders stressed that ongoing dialogue among government officials, private sector entities, and maritime stakeholders would be crucial to ensuring that the Port of Mombasa's growth translates into increased investment, job creation, and economic opportunities for the Coast region and the broader East African market.