Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
A 472 km modern railway connecting Kenya's largest port city to its capital in under five hours.
The Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway is a flagship railway project built to replace the century-old metre-gauge line connecting Kenya's two largest cities. The 472 km line was constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at a cost of approximately $3.8 billion, making it the most expensive infrastructure project in Kenyan history. The railway operates the Madaraka Express passenger service, reducing travel time from over 10 hours to roughly 4.5 hours, and carries significant freight volumes previously transported by road.
- 01Replace the aging metre-gauge railway with a modern standard gauge line
- 02Reduce travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi from 10+ hours to under 5 hours
- 03Shift freight transport from congested roads to rail, targeting 40% of corridor freight
- 04Lower the cost of goods transport to boost regional competitiveness
- 05Serve as Phase 1 of a broader East African railway network linking to Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan
- 06Create employment opportunities during construction and long-term operations
2013 · completed
Construction Begins
Construction officially launched following the signing of a $3.6 billion financing agreement with China Exim Bank.
2016 · completed
Track Laying Complete
All 472 km of track between Mombasa and Nairobi were successfully laid.
2017 · completed
Madaraka Express Launched
The passenger service was inaugurated on 1 June 2017, with President Uhuru Kenyatta flagging off the first train.
2019 · completed
Phase 2A to Naivasha Opens
The 120 km extension from Nairobi to Suswa (Naivasha) was completed and opened for freight services.
2022 · completed
Operations Transfer Begins
Kenya Railways started the gradual takeover of operations from the Chinese operator Afristar.
2024 · completed
Full Kenyan Operations
Kenya Railways assumed full management of both passenger and freight operations on the SGR.
Construction Contractor
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)
The Chinese state-owned firm served as the primary Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project.
Financing
China Exim Bank
Provided approximately 90% of the project cost through concessional loans to the Government of Kenya.
Owner/Operator
Kenya Railways Corporation
The state corporation that owns the railway and now manages day-to-day passenger and freight operations.
Initial Operator
Afristar
A joint venture between CRBC and Kenya Railways that managed initial operations from 2017 to 2023.
- Standard gauge (1,435 mm) rail track
- Chinese CR-type diesel locomotives
- ETCS Level 1 train control signalling
- Reinforced concrete viaducts and bridges
- Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system
- Wildlife crossing underpasses at Tsavo National Park
What it means for the community
The SGR has carried over 10 million passengers since its launch and transported millions of tonnes of cargo, significantly reducing road congestion on the Mombasa–Nairobi corridor. The project created an estimated 46,000 jobs during construction, with over 25,000 going to Kenyan workers. Freight costs on the corridor have dropped by approximately 60% compared to road haulage, boosting Kenya's trade competitiveness.
- Kenya Railways Corporation (Government of Kenya)
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