The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting Mombasa to Nairobi has transported more than 50 million tonnes of freight since it began operations in May 2017, according to Afristar, the company providing technical and operational support.
Spanning 472 kilometres, the railway links Kenya’s main port city with the capital, serving as a vital trade artery and a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Key Milestones and Impact
- The SGR has maintained a safe operational record for over 3,300 consecutive days.
- It has transported 18.6 million passengers since inception.
- Freight services, which started in 2018, have grown steadily, initially focusing on containerised cargo.
- Current freight includes diverse goods such as grain, fertiliser, steel, cement clinker, agricultural produce, and cold-chain cargo.
The railway has significantly improved logistics efficiency by reducing transportation costs and strengthening connectivity between the coast and inland regions. This has helped stabilise industrial supply chains and supported Kenya’s economic growth.
Afristar affirmed its commitment to working with Kenya Railways to enhance capacity and service quality, aiming to provide efficient, safe, and convenient rail transport that supports social and economic development.
