The Northern and Central Corridors Member States’ population has been increasing annually with the year 2019 having a combined total population of approximately 277 million; an increase population growth rate of 3% when compared to the 2018 figure. The large population presents a massive trade and marketing opportunities that is projected to expand even further in the future.

The Roadside Stations programme presents an opportunity for investment in Trade and Transport Logistics aimed at improving Road safety as well as supporting cost effectiveness and reliability in the conveyance of freight and people along the Northern Corridor. The initiative had attracted the attention of both policy makers and private sector players.

The EAC Secretariat with the assistance of Trademark East Africa (TMEA) has finalised the development of the EAC Regional Electronic Cargo and Driver Tracking System (RECDTS) as mandated by the Joint Ministerial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Health, Trade and EAC Affairs in their Video Conference in March 2020.

Two months after being operational, the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Naivasha has positioned itself as an essential node; connecting road and railway networks, with a marshalling area having the capacity to hold over 700 trucks at any given time. The 45,000-square-meter facility can handle over two million tonnes of cargo annually.

Statistics from the Northern Corridor Transport Observatory report for the period April to June 2020 showed a 5% decline in the aggregate throughput for the months from January to May 2020; from 14.3 million metric tonnes in 2019 to 13.6 million metric tonnes in 2020. During the same period, imports accounted for 82% of the total throughput; suggesting that the balance of trade was unfavourable.

In response to a directive by the COMESA Council of Ministers in May 2020 to develop a platform to support regional trade, during the COVID-19 pandemic, COMESA has developed an online portal to be used by Member States to exchange information on availability of essential products within the region.

During a week-long exercise of distributing 10,000 Masks and reflective jackets to Long Distance Truck drivers in Mombasa and at the Weighbridges namely; Busia, Webuye, Mariakani, Athi-River and Gilgil; Truck drivers have lauded the Northern Corridor Secretariat for its relentless efforts in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.