Northern Corridor Shares Best Practices on Corridor Management and Trade Facilitation

Mombasa, Kenya – February 3, 2025: The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) hosted a delegation from Djibouti’s Technical Committee on a benchmarking visit aimed at learning from the Northern Corridor’s advanced corridor management, transport monitoring via the Transport Observatory, and trade facilitation mechanisms.

Facilitated by TradeMark Africa, this visit is a strategic initiative to inform the establishment of the Djibouti Corridor Management Authority and the development of a Transport Observatory Portal. This collaboration underscores the importance of regional partnerships and knowledge-sharing in enhancing trade efficiency and economic development across Africa.

The delegation, composed of representatives from Djibouti’s Ministry of Infrastructure & Equipment, Ministry of Trade & Tourism, Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, and the Chamber of Commerce, engaged with key infrastructure and regulatory agencies across Kenya and Rwanda.

On corridor establishment, management and trade facilitation, the delegation held knowledge sharing sessions with the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA).

The Northern Corridor operates under a Multilateral Agreement, the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Agreement (NCTTA), a regional legal framework that governs trade facilitation, transport infrastructure, and customs harmonization among member states. This agreement establishes institutional arrangements, including the NCTTCA, which oversees policy implementation and stakeholder coordination to ensure seamless transit operations. Additionally, the Northern Corridor Transport Observatory Portal serves as a real-time data monitoring and reporting platform, tracking key performance indicators such as transit times, cargo throughput, and bottlenecks along the corridor. This data-driven approach enables evidence-based policymaking, enhances transparency, and supports continuous improvements in trade efficiency across the region.

The delegation’s visit is a crucial step towards leveraging best practices from the Northern Corridor in Djibouti’s transport sector. Notably, the delegation acknowledged the Northern Corridor Transport Observatory Portal as a model for enhancing trade data transparency, monitoring, and reporting.

The delegation toured crucial infrastructure nodes, including:

Port of Mombasa: Engagements with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials on port efficiency, cargo handling, and trade facilitation mechanisms.

Mariakani Weighbridge: Insights into axle load control policies, high-speed weigh-in-motion systems, and enforcement strategies by Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

Taveta/Holili One-Stop Border Post (OSBP): Demonstration of customs integration under the Single Customs Territory (SCT), the role of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), and enhanced border security operations by KRA in collaboration with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Immigration and enforcement agencies.

The delegation was particularly impressed by the seamless coordination of agencies, which facilitates efficient cargo evacuation, reduces transit delays, and enhances cross-border trade.

The study tour will conclude in Rwanda, where the delegation will visit key logistics hubs, including:

DP World Kigali – A demonstration of efficient inland container depot operations.

MAGERWA ICD – Learning best practices in freight handling and customs facilitation.

Driving Knowledge Exchange for Regional Trade Efficiency

The delegation’s visit is a crucial step towards leveraging best practices from the Northern Corridor in Djibouti’s transport sector. Notably, the delegation acknowledged the Northern Corridor Transport Observatory Portal as a model for enhancing trade data transparency, monitoring, and reporting.

Furthermore, representatives from the Djibouti Port Community System, Djibouti Port Corridor Roads, and private sector groups such as ATD Freight Forwarders Association, RTA Freight Forwarders Association, and Djiboutian Transporters Association participated in discussions on automated trade facilitation and infrastructure integration.

Strengthening Regional Trade Networks

The engagement highlighted the role of harmonized trade policies and smart logistics solutions in advancing Africa’s economic integration goals.

“We remain committed to fostering stronger regional collaborations, sharing expertise, and championing trade facilitation measures that will transform transport corridors into efficient trade arteries for economic growth across the continent,” concluded Dr. John Deng, NCTTCA Executive Secretary.