South Sudan Secures Naivasha Land for Dry Port to Ease Mombasa Congestion

(NAIVASHA) – The Government of South Sudan has formally received ten hectares of land in Naivasha, Kenya, for the construction of a dry port aimed at reducing congestion at the Port of Mombasa and improving the flow of goods into the country.

The land was handed over on Wednesday at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot. It was allocated during the second term of former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and marks a major step in trade cooperation between South Sudan and Kenya.

Speaking at a joint press conference, South Sudan Revenue Authority Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol confirmed that the site had been officially received.

He said the government had inspected the land and completed the handover process, assuring the public that preparations for development would begin immediately.

The Commissioner General said the land, located within the Naivasha Special Economic Zone, will be developed into an inland container depot, commonly known as a dry port.

Once operational, the facility is expected to reduce congestion at Mombasa, lower delays and storage costs, improve cargo tracking and customs compliance, speed up delivery of goods to South Sudan, and reduce the risk of consignments being auctioned because of long stays at the port.

Anyuon said the dry port could become operational within four to five months if construction proceeds as planned.

He said the project would help South Sudanese traders avoid losses linked to port delays and improve the availability of imported goods for consumers.

Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said the Naivasha Inland Container Depot is a strategic investment designed to move cargo away from the coast to inland destinations.

He said the facility serves both Kenya and neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, by improving the handling of transit cargo.

Wattanga said the Port of Mombasa is facing serious congestion due to rising cargo volumes and temporary disruptions along alternative trade routes.

He said recent political events and short term closures in parts of the region diverted more cargo to Mombasa, increasing pressure on port facilities.

He added that Kenyan authorities are working closely with the Kenya Ports Authority to introduce quick measures to ease congestion.

Wattanga said inland container depots form part of a longer term solution by allowing cargo to be cleared away from the coast and transported more efficiently to final destinations.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority, cargo throughput at Mombasa reached 45.45 million metric tonnes between January and December 2025, an increase of 10.9 per cent from the previous year.

KPA data shows that South Sudan ranks third among countries using the port, highlighting the country’s heavy reliance on the Northern Corridor and the need for faster clearance systems.

The South Sudan Revenue Authority said the Naivasha dry port will strengthen regional cooperation, protect traders, improve revenue collection, and support stable supply chains.

Officials said construction is expected to begin soon, with the facility set to become a key entry point for goods destined for South Sudan.