Kenya has moved closer to opening some of its major port assets to private investment after the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee approved feasibility studies for key facilities at the Ports of Mombasa and Lamu.

PPP Directorate Director General Eng. Kefa Seda announced the development on Thursday, August 27, saying the approval had moved the projects from the feasibility stage into procurement under the PPP framework.

The projects covered by the approval are Mombasa Berths 11–14, Mombasa Container Terminal 1, Lamu Container Terminal and the Lamu Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“Yesterday marked an important progression in Kenya’s port infrastructure investment program, following the PPP Committee’s approval of the feasibility studies for Mombasa Berths 11–14, Mombasa Container Terminal 1, Lamu Container Terminal, and the Lamu Special Economic Zone,” he said.

“The approval moves these strategic port assets from feasibility into the procurement stage under the PPP framework.”

Seda said the development would allow the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to advance the first phase of the transactions to competitive procurement, with engagement with potential investors expected to begin in September 2026.

Kenya Moves Mombasa, Lamu Port Assets to PPP Procurement

Under Phase 1, the government plans to structure the projects through three transactions.

The first will be a concession for Mombasa Berths 11–14, while the second will cover Mombasa Container Terminal 1.

The third transaction will combine the Lamu Container Terminal and the Lamu Special Economic Zone under an integrated concession.

The plan forms part of a broader strategy to progressively move the Ports of Mombasa and Lamu towards a landlord-port model.

Under the model, private investors would bring in capital, technical expertise and operational capacity, while KPA would retain public ownership and strategic oversight of the port assets.

Seda said the approach is intended to strengthen the country’s port infrastructure while attracting long-term private capital.

Private Investment in Mombasa, Lamu Ports

The approval comes as Kenya seeks to expand its use of PPPs to finance and develop major infrastructure projects amid growing demand for private capital.

The PPP Directorate’s 2026 project pipeline had identified the Mombasa and Lamu port assets as priority projects under the Fourth Medium-Term Plan.

Feasibility studies for the projects began in October 2025 and were nearing completion before the latest approval.

Seda said the move would help increase port capacity, improve Kenya’s logistics competitiveness, mobilize long-term private investment and strengthen the country’s position as a regional trade and investment gateway.

Kenya Prepares Second Phase of Port Projects for Private Investment

While the first phase is moving into procurement, feasibility work on a second phase of port assets is also underway.

The development is expected to expand the pipeline of port infrastructure projects that will be taken to the market for private investment.

“In parallel, feasibility work on the second phase of port assets is underway, sustaining the momentum toward a broader pipeline of bankable port infrastructure opportunities,” he added.

Seda said the procurement process would include the required public disclosures and stakeholder engagement, in line with Kenya’s PPP legal framework.

The PPP Directorate supports the development and implementation of public-private partnership projects in Kenya. Seda serves as its Director General and Committee Secretary at the National Treasury and Economic Planning.

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Kenya Govt Opens Mombasa, Lamu Port Assets to Private Investors Under PPP Plan
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate General, Eng. Kefa Seda. PHOTO/FILE