Infrastructure Diplomacy in East Africa: The New Face of Regional Power and Influence

Why It Matters

Kenya’s renewed plan to extend its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to the Malaba border is reshaping the role of infrastructure in East Africa, from a traditional development tool into a powerful instrument of diplomacy and regional strategy. The proposed extension will directly connect Kenya’s railway to Uganda’s newly commissioned Malaba-Kampala SGR, forming a critical transport corridor that could redefine trade patterns across the region. This move signals Kenya’s strategic ambition to solidify its position as East Africa’s transport and logistics hub, linking its ports and industries to landlocked neighbors and boosting cross-border commerce.

More than just a domestic project, the expansion is part of a broader push by East African Community (EAC) member states to use infrastructure as a means of geopolitical leverage, regional influence, and economic integration. From modern highways to strategic ports, infrastructure is now central to shaping alliances, enhancing connectivity, and positioning East Africa more competitively in global trade corridors.

Railways as Strategic Connectors
The Standard Gauge Railway projects spearheaded by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda represent a defining shift in the region’s infrastructure narrative. Recently Uganda had signed a landmark agreement with a Turkish firm to construct the Malaba-Kampala SGR, linking it with Kenya’s line that stretches from Mombasa to Nairobi. Tanzania, on the other hand, launched its SGR operations in August 2024, built primarily with Chinese support. These developments align with the East African Railway Master Plan, which envisions a 6,220-kilometer regional network aimed at enhancing trade, mobility, and integration among EAC members.

Railways reduce the cost and time of transporting bulk goods across borders, helping countries tap into new markets and improve export competitiveness. For instance, Kenya’s SGR has significantly cut the time it takes to move cargo from Mombasa to Nairobi, boosting trade efficiency. With Uganda and Tanzania following suit, these infrastructure projects are increasingly viewed through a diplomatic lens, with countries forming strategic partnerships to build and expand their networks.

Port Rivalry and Geopolitical Influence
Infrastructure diplomacy is also visible in the development and expansion of key ports in the region. Kenya’s Mombasa and Lamu ports are central to the LAPSSET Corridor, designed to link Kenya with Ethiopia and South Sudan. Meanwhile, Tanzania is upgrading its Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo ports, supported by Chinese investment, to serve inland countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

These competing corridors reflect underlying strategic ambitions. Kenya’s Lamu Port seeks to draw Ethiopia and South Sudan into its sphere of influence, potentially shifting regional trade routes. Tanzania’s focus on serving central African nations bolsters its geopolitical relevance. In both cases, infrastructure is wielded not merely to boost domestic growth, but to assert regional influence, deepen strategic partnerships, and gain political leverage.

“East Africa’s infrastructure boom is reshaping regional power, as EAC states use railways, ports, and roads to drive economic growth, assert influence, and deepen integration.”

Fragmentation vs. Integration
While the vision of regional connectivity is ambitious, disparities in infrastructure development threaten cohesion. Rwanda and Burundi lack functional rail networks, and the DRC and South Sudan suffer from underdeveloped or fragmented infrastructure. Such gaps risk reinforcing economic marginalization and diluting the EAC’s broader integration goals.

Moreover, infrastructure projects often reflect the influence of external financiers. China’s deep involvement in Tanzania’s SGR and port upgrades contrasts with Western backing of Kenya’s LAPSSET initiative. As a result, donor politics can shape national priorities, occasionally pulling member states in different directions and undermining unified planning.

Economic Impact and Strategic Gains
The economic benefits of infrastructure development are substantial. Efficient transport systems lower the cost of doing business, enhance intra-regional trade, and attract foreign direct investment. EAC officials estimate that reducing transport costs by 30–40% could significantly boost trade volumes and regional GDP.

Kenya’s SGR alone has created over 46,000 jobs and enhanced industrial growth along the corridor. Uganda’s upcoming railway is expected to generate thousands of construction and long-term operational jobs. Improved logistics also benefit agriculture, mining, and manufacturing sectors by linking production zones with urban centers and ports.

Moreover, the emergence of transport-linked economic hubs industrial parks, logistics centers, and cross-border markets has the potential to decentralize economic activity. This can promote balanced development and reduce urban overcrowding.

Infrastructure as a Tool for Unity and Influence
Infrastructure diplomacy presents both opportunities and risks for the EAC. If approached collaboratively, it can foster unity, deepen integration, and elevate the region’s global standing. Harmonizing standards, coordinating project timelines, and prioritizing interconnectivity can transform fragmented national efforts into a seamless regional network.

Conversely, if infrastructure planning remains uncoordinated, it could exacerbate competition and division. Overlapping trade corridors, duplicative investments, and politicized financing may hinder rather than help regional cohesion.

The African Integration Strategic Future of East
East Africa’s infrastructure boom signals more than economic modernization, it represents a strategic recalibration of power and influence in the region. Railways, roads, and ports are no longer mere development tools; they are instruments of diplomacy and strategic alignment. For the EAC, the path forward lies in collective vision and execution. If harnessed wisely, infrastructure diplomacy can unify the region, strengthen its global competitiveness, and lay the foundation for lasting prosperity.

 

These are the writer’s own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Liberty Sparks. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at [email protected] for further clarification.