In a high-stakes meeting on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, finance ministers from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have reached a historic consensus to prioritize financing for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), marking a decisive step toward closing critical infrastructure gaps along the Northern Corridor.
The trilateral agreement aims to complete the “missing links” of the railway network, with leaders positioning the project as key to lowering transport costs and strengthening regional trade integration.
The meeting brought together senior financial leaders, including John Mbadi, Yusuf Murangwa, and Henry Musasizi. They were joined by technical advisors such as Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Ramathan Ggoobi, who are working on the fiscal and legal frameworks required for the multi-billion-dollar project.
The Washington discussions build on recent developments on the ground. In March 2026, William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni presided over a groundbreaking ceremony in Kisumu and Narok, launching construction of the 369-kilometer extension from Naivasha through Kisumu to the Malaba border.
“Kenya is committed and is leading in the completion and connection of the SGR to the Malaba border. There is a critical need for closer cooperation to ensure the project’s total viability,” Mbadi said.
On Uganda’s side, Musasizi confirmed that implementation of the Malaba–Kampala section is underway, with the government engaging Yapı Merkezi for the 270-kilometer stretch and appointing Citibank as lead arranger for financing. Uganda is also in advanced talks with the World Bank to support the project.
“The viability of this SGR depends on all of us committing to do the project. Uganda is committed to extending the SGR to the borders of Rwanda and the DRC,” Musasizi said.
Murangwa reaffirmed Rwanda’s readiness to extend the line from the Ugandan border, describing the SGR as a “generational opportunity” for the landlocked country to improve access to the Port of Mombasa and unlock trade and investment potential.
Following the ministerial meeting, the Ugandan delegation held further discussions with World Bank officials, including Qimiao Fan, who signaled readiness to consider financing opportunities for the project.
Once complete, the Kisumu–Malaba–Kampala link is expected to significantly transform regional logistics. Freight costs are projected to drop from about $3,500 per container, while transit times could be reduced from several days to less than 24 hours positioning the SGR as a critical driver of East Africa’s economic integration.
