The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, has urged Kenyan policymakers, scholars, and regional stakeholders to leverage the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as the foundation of a transformative economic development belt that will enhance inclusive growth, industrialization, and trade in East Africa.
Speaking at the Third Seminar on the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa this week, Ambassador Guo described the SGR as a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation and a “veritable railway toward development,” crediting it with catalyzing Kenya’s economic and social transformation since its commissioning eight years ago.
“If systematically studied and supported by appropriate policies, it will surely inject strong impetus into Kenya’s development,” she stated.
Drawing parallels with China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt—which spans 11 provinces and contributes to over 40% of China’s GDP—Ambassador Guo suggested that Kenya could emulate similar models by extending the SGR’s influence from east to west and north to south. She recommended using it as a platform to reduce transaction costs and regional disparities, create competitive industrial and innovation clusters, and foster cross-county policy coordination as well as infrastructure integration.
“The SGR encompasses nine counties, with one-third of Kenya’s total population and half of the country’s GDP, connecting important growth poles. The SGR Economic Belt does indeed possess superior resources and significant development potential,” she told the forum.
The ambassador said the SGR should not be viewed merely as transport infrastructure but as a strategic engine for national development.
“The Kenyan government and people have invested a lot in SGR constructions, how to recover these investments and realize its multiplier effect cannot rely solely on the operating income, but must further exert the driving benefits of the railway, and maximize the economic and social benefits in the development of the areas along the railway,” she stressed.
Deepening Land-Sea Linkages and Regional Trade
Ambassador Guo also called for enhanced land-sea connectivity, urging Kenya to position itself as a logistics and commercial hub serving the broader East African region. She noted that the SGR has already improved the smooth flow of people and goods within Kenya and the region, stimulated industrial growth along the corridor, and holds the potential to propel a trade-driven regional economy.
The Ambassador proposed scaling up the “two axes plus two coasts” framework under China’s Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa—linking Kenya’s SGR with the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway while accelerating the development of East Africa’s coastline and the Red Sea corridor.
“This strategy will help in creating a positive cycle of “logistics channel — industry agglomeration — trade upgrading — common development” to provide support for regional common prosperity, actively integrating into global value chains and expanding international cooperation,” she explained.
Cooperation built on friendship and shared vision
In her remarks, Ambassador Guo reiterated that China remains a reliable partner and friend to Kenya and the continent, committed to “walking the journey” of development alongside African countries.
“As an East African proverb goes, a friend is someone you share the path with. Facts have proved that China-Kenya and China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, extensive demands, and enormous potential, and is brimming with vigor and vitality. China is willing to work closely with regional countries to build a prosperous economic development belt, better support economic and social development and improve people’s livelihoods,” she stated.
She said that China will work with Kenya to implement the Ten Partnership Actions announced during the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, particularly in strengthening Belt and Road cooperation and expanding access to the Chinese market through 100% tariff-free treatment for all least developed African countries.
Ambassador Guo reaffirmed China’s commitment to building an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
“China stand ready to support Africa’s development and revitalization through Chinese modernization, use the “golden key” of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation to unlock the door to a future of common development, and turn the Horn of Africa into a region of peace, cooperation, development and prosperity,” she said
