The incredible £20 billion mega-project that will change Africa forever

A £20 billion mega-project connecting Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan has been designed to transform East Africa.

Stretching across the three huge countries, the LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) Corridor project aims to boost ‘s economy, facilitate trades, enhance regional connectivity, provide new jobs and attract tourism, improve access to energy, and attract private sector investments.

The mega project is poised to transform East Africa’s economy with a 1,720 km railway capable of moving goods at 120 km per hour and an 18 meter deep port designed to handle ships carrying 100,000 tons, according to Youtube channel, (TIB).

The LAPSSET Corridor is reportedly being built from scratch with cutting-edge infrastructure including new berths and direct oil pipelines connecting East Africa to global markets.

The project will also open up regions previously deemed too remote for development, with the construction of new airports and roads.

Moreover, the LAPSSET Corridor aims to develop a new deepwater port in Lamu, Kenya, to help ease the congestion and capacity issues at Port of Mombasa, a coastal city about 400 kilometers south of Lamu.

The Port of Mombasa has long been the backbone of East Africa’s trade, handling over 1.4 million containers annually. 

However, in recent years, the port has struggled under increasing pressure. Ships often wait for days to dock, and goods can become stuck, causing delays that drive up costs for businesses and consumers alike, TIB explained.

As a result, containers that should remain for only three to four days, often end up delayed for up to six, creating a backlog that amplifies the problem. 

The outdated systems, reliant on paper forms and manual checks, only exacerbate the issue, with cargo processing taking over 12 days—twice as long as more modern ports. 

Despite recent upgrades, Mombasa’s infrastructure still cannot accommodate the growing size of mega-ships, which require deeper berths and more advanced equipment. 

The struggles of the Port of Mombasa consequently highlight the urgent need for the LAPSSET Corridor, which aims to alleviate pressure by developing a new, modern port and transport network in Lamu.

As per the project’s , the LAPSSET Corridor consists of several key project components, including the 23 berth Port of Lamu in Manda Bay, set to be one of the largest ports in Africa.

Ships that couldn’t dock in Mombasa will now have a new option, benefitting from modern systems to speed up operations, cut down on paperwork, and reduce delays as per TIB.

It also encompasses inter-regional highways from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba (South Sudan), Isiolo to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Lamu to Garsen (Kenya), two new oil pipelines, and three international airports that will be based in the counties of Lamu, Isiolo and Turkana.

In addition to new railways linking Lamu Port (Kenya) with Juba (South Sudan) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), there will be three new resort cities in Lamu, Isiolo and around Lake Turkana.

The development of the inner and outer corridors will reportedly bring essential utilities like water supply and power from the Kenya National Grid to areas along the route. 

These advancements will also improve access to technology, communication, education, and innovation. 

According to TIB, the project is estimated to cost around $25 billion (approximately £20 billion). 

The new berths alone cost $480 million (approximately £384 million) as the rest of the port is expected to total $ 3.5 billion (approximately £2.8 billion).

The Kenyan government has reportedly invested billions into the LAPSSET Corridor, but more funding is needed, and private investors are hesitant due to delays and political uncertainty. 

Additionally, Ethiopia and South Sudan—key partners in the project—are exploring alternative trade routes, with Ethiopia considering ports in Djibouti and Somaliland, which could reduce traffic to Lamu. 

Local communities have expressed concerns, fearing land loss, exclusion from benefits, and environmental impacts like pollution and disrupted grazing routes. 

Despite these challenges, progress is being made, albeit slower than anticipated.

So far, the first three berths at the Lamu Port, with a depth of 17.5 meters and a 500-meter turning bay have been completed, according to the LAPSSET Corridor’s official website. 

Additionally, Isiolo Airport, completed in 2017, is operational with a capacity of 125,000 passengers annually, and ongoing developments include expansions to its freight and passenger facilities, as well as runway enhancements.