UAE-based firm Dubai Port World (DP World) has sought concession licenses to develop the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Mombasa.
The firm during its visit to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) headquarters in Mombasa, revealed that it was conducting a feasibility study with an aim of developing the project.
KPA said the project has attracted interest from many companies as it works around the clock to deliver the project within one year.
Acting KPA Managing Director John Mwangemi yesterday met with a delegation from DP World led by Head of Project Portfolio Group Planning and Project Management Haism Ezz Elarab.
According to KPA, the team is conducting a feasibility study on motor vehicle import business for local, transit and transshipment markets.
“KPA is currently focused on capacity expansion of the port of Mombasa with construction of Berth 23 on the offing. By partnering initiatives like the Mombasa Port Development Project, the facility had enhanced its capacity and efficiency,” Mwangemi said.
According to documents dated January 2022, Kenya was considering signing a concession agreement with DP World to undertake the development, operation, management and expansion of transport logistics services in the country on various components. to build three berths at the Mombasa port, develop cold storage supply chains in Kisumu
However, former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government rubbished the deal by DP World which had proposed to build three berths at the Mombasa port, develop cold storage supply chains in Kisumu and Naivasha and to build a special economic zone in Lamu.
At the time, Treasury disowned the existence of such a deal and denied ever mentioning plans to issue a tender by July last year.
The Dongo Kundu SEZ project includes creation of a free trade zone, a free port, a logistics hub and an industrial zone.