A better developed water transport system for the East African community is what’s needed if obstacles such as non-tariff barriers associated with road transport are to be overcome. The best place to start the development would be Lake Victoria.

Lowering the costs of doing business in the region can be made possible if the water transport system is developed more, said Brown Ondego, executive chairman of Rift Valley Railways

Two of the improvements that could be made to the current water transport network include:

–          the expansion of ports to handle the congestion

–          the purchasing of modern handling facilities.

“What is required is for the member states to partner [with] private players to develop the currently underdeveloped water transport. This will not only ease transport but also attract investors.”

New rules on weighbridges and the many roadblocks along some of the busiest transport corridors are negative factors relating to road transport. Using water would ease some of this burden on the road.