The establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) aligned African priorities with China’s strategic interests. In 2000, poor connectivity was identified as one of the impediments to Africa’s progress.
Many African capitals faced significant connectivity challenges due to a lack of ring roads and inadequate infrastructure. This led to increased traffic congestion and limited access to essential services.
The situation has changed due to the construction of bypass roads in cities. These roads have greatly improved connectivity, resulting in smoother traffic flow and increased economic activity.
China has made numerous commitments to finance infrastructure projects in Africa, with a focus on improving urban development. Kenya has benefited greatly from these projects, experiencing a connectivity transformation in cities such as Nairobi and Kisumu.
The Nairobi Ring Road project is approximately 100 km in length and was implemented in three phases by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The first phase, the Northeastern Ring Road project, was completed in 2012 and was the first project implemented under the China-Kenya Government to Government (G-G) model. The second phase, the Southern Bypass project, was completed in 2016.
The main line of the Nairobi Ring Road is the 15-kilometer Western Bypass, which was funded by the Chinese government. This is the third phase and has been completed. It starts at Gitaru near Kikuyu township, connects to the Southern Bypass, passes through Wangige and Ndenderu, and terminates at Ruaka, which connects to the Northern Bypass. The Western Bypass includes dual carriageways, service roads, interchanges, and flyover crossings.
The completion of the Western Bypass marks the final section of the Nairobi Ring Road, making it fully open. This is a significant milestone as the road project plays a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion and improving transportation in the Nairobi metropolitan area.
The construction of the Nairobi Ring Road, which has been ongoing for over a decade, strengthens the strategic cooperation between China and Kenya under the Belt and Road Initiative.
It is worth noting that the Chinese contractor followed the principle of localized operations during construction. Over 6,000 local technical workers were collectively employed for the project, resulting in a localization rate exceeding 96.7%. Local quality management teams and Kenyan experts, including safety and environmental consultants, were involved in joint project management.
The project not only provided job skills training and technology transfer, but also contributed to the growth of local technical and management personnel. Additionally, a large percentage of construction materials used in the project were procured locally, benefiting the local industry. CRBC worked closely with local subcontractors and suppliers, boosting local enterprises.
The full opening of the Nairobi Ring Road project, a crucial component of Kenya’s Vision 2030, has successfully alleviated traffic congestion in Nairobi and improved local infrastructure conditions. Commuting time for residents in the Nairobi area has been greatly reduced, and transportation costs, especially for transit cargo, have been significantly lowered.
Furthermore, the section has become a major transport route for agricultural produce, improving access to markets and positively impacting the ease of doing business.
The completion of these bypasses has redirected traffic away from congested urban centers, resulting in reduced congestion and improved travel times for both local and long-distance drivers. By separating local traffic from heavy traffic, the bypasses have also enhanced road safety and reduced accidents.
In addition to connectivity, these projects have attracted new businesses and investments, particularly in logistics and retail. This has fostered economic diversification and job creation in the surrounding areas.
Research has shown that proximity to transportation infrastructure positively correlates with per capita GDP levels across various sectors. Improved access to businesses and the attraction of new investments can stimulate economic growth. Areas along the bypass often experience increased commercial activity, leading to job creation.
The writer is a multimedia journalist at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
