What is Lamu Port - South Sudan - Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor?
The LAPSSET Corridor is a major infrastructure project connecting Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. It aims to boost trade and economic integration in East Africa through roads, railways, pipelines, and Lamu Port, significantly impacting regional commerce.
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The Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor is a transformative infrastructure project aimed at enhancing trade and commerce in East Africa.
It connects Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia through a comprehensive network of roads, railways, oil pipelines, and ports. LAPSSET is one of the largest and most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in Africa, with far-reaching implications for regional trade, economic integration, and development.
Historical Background and Vision
The LAPSSET Corridor was conceived as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030, an economic blueprint aimed at transforming Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country by 2030. The vision for LAPSSET is to create a multi-modal transport corridor that would open up the largely untapped northern parts of Kenya and link them with South Sudan and Ethiopia, thereby boosting economic growth and development in these regions.
The corridor is expected to complement the existing Mombasa Port and provide a second major gateway to the Indian Ocean, facilitating trade between East Africa and the rest of the world. The LAPSSET project is also seen as a way to reduce the over-reliance on the Northern Corridor, which currently links Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, and improve access to landlocked countries.


Components of the LAPSSET Corridor
The LAPSSET Corridor comprises several key components:
Lamu Port: The centerpiece of the LAPSSET project is Lamu Port, a deep-sea port located on the northern coast of Kenya. The port is designed to handle large cargo vessels, making it a crucial hub for trade between Africa and global markets. Lamu Port is expected to have 32 berths once fully completed, making it one of the largest ports in East Africa.
Road and Railway Networks: LAPSSET includes the construction of a network of roads and railways that will connect Lamu Port to South Sudan and Ethiopia. This network is intended to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people, reduce transportation costs, and improve access to markets.
Oil Pipeline: The corridor also includes an oil pipeline that will transport crude oil from South Sudan to Lamu Port for export. This pipeline is a critical component of the project, as it provides South Sudan, a landlocked country, with a direct route to international markets.
Airports and Resort Cities: LAPSSET includes the development of airports in Isiolo, Lamu, and Lokichogio, as well as the construction of resort cities along the corridor. These projects are intended to boost tourism, create employment opportunities, and promote economic diversification.
Impact on Trade and Commerce
The LAPSSET Corridor is expected to have a profound impact on trade and commerce in East Africa. By providing a new and efficient transport route, the corridor will facilitate the movement of goods between Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and beyond. This will reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery times, and improve the competitiveness of East African products in global markets.
One of the most significant impacts of the LAPSSET Corridor is its potential to open up new markets for East African products. By connecting landlocked countries like South Sudan and Ethiopia to the Indian Ocean, the corridor will provide these countries with direct access to international markets, enabling them to export their products more easily and at a lower cost. This is expected to boost trade volumes, increase export revenues, and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The LAPSSET Corridor will also promote regional integration by linking the economies of Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. This will create new opportunities for cross-border trade, investment, and collaboration. For example, the development of the oil pipeline will enable South Sudan to export its oil through Lamu Port, providing Kenya with transit fees and boosting trade between the two countries.


In addition to facilitating trade, the LAPSSET Corridor is expected to attract significant investments in infrastructure, logistics, and industrial development. The construction of roads, railways, and ports will create new economic opportunities, particularly in the transport and logistics sectors. This will generate employment, support local businesses, and contribute to the economic development of the region.
Furthermore, the LAPSSET Corridor is expected to stimulate the growth of other sectors of the economy, such as tourism and manufacturing. The development of airports and resort cities along the corridor will attract tourists, create jobs, and generate revenue. Similarly, the availability of efficient transport infrastructure will encourage the establishment of manufacturing industries in the region, boosting industrial production and exports.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its potential benefits, the LAPSSET Corridor faces several challenges and criticisms. One of the main concerns is the environmental impact of the project, particularly in relation to Lamu’s UNESCO World Heritage site. The construction of the port and associated infrastructure has raised concerns about the potential destruction of marine ecosystems, displacement of local communities, and loss of cultural heritage.
There are also concerns about the social impact of the project, particularly in terms of land acquisition and compensation. The acquisition of land for the construction of the corridor has been a contentious issue, with some communities accusing the government of inadequate compensation and forced evictions.
Security is another major challenge facing the LAPSSET Corridor. The northern regions of Kenya, through which the corridor passes, have been plagued by insecurity and violence, including attacks by terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab. This has raised concerns about the safety of the infrastructure and the potential disruption of trade along the corridor.
Conclusion
The LAPSSET Corridor is a transformative project that has the potential to reshape the trade and commerce landscape in East Africa. By providing a new and efficient transport route, the corridor will facilitate the movement of goods, reduce transportation costs, and open up new markets for East African products. However, the project also faces significant challenges, including environmental, social, and security concerns, which must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation.
Overall, if successfully implemented, the LAPSSET Corridor could drive sustainable economic growth, foster regional integration, and strengthen East Africa’s position in the global trade network. It represents a bold vision for the future of East Africa, one that could unlock the region’s economic potential and create new opportunities for trade, investment, and development.