NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is seeking to establish a secondary hub in Africa to improve Kenya Airways’ connectivity to the West African region.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, shortly after arriving back in the country from Accra, Ghana.
“In the spirit of enhancing people-to-people contacts and advancing commercial linkages to strengthen Intra-African trade as envisioned under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Headquarters in Accra, I requested President John Dramani Mahama for Kenya’s National Carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), to establish a secondary hub in Accra, Ghana, to enhance connectivity to West Africa and the rest of the world,” explained CS Chirchir.
Currently, Kenya Airways flies to Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, and Cameroon.
“The strategic hub would enhance Accra as a hub, foster connectivity between West Africa and global markets, and grow trade, tourism, investment, and economic prosperity in Ghana and the Western Region,” added CS Chirchir.
Why was Roads CS Davis Chirchir recently in Ghana
The CS was in the West African nation to convey President William Ruto’s warm greetings to President Mahama and the great people of the Republic of Ghana.
“I noted with appreciation that Kenya and Ghana enjoy fraternal relations and continue to work closely to strengthen ties. I reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to expand relations and further strengthen our friendship and partnership as espoused in our Binational Commission Cooperation Framework,” explained the CS.
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Before leaving for Accra, the CS launched the public participation exercise on the draft Kenya Roads Board Fund Additional Funding Regulations 2025.
He disclosed that similar forums for public participation will be held across the country from May 7 to 9, 2025, where his ministry will gather feedback from the public on these proposed regulations.
“A well-maintained road network is crucial for Kenya’s economy, supporting businesses, agriculture, trade, and everyday life. The government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to effective road infrastructure, promoting economic opportunities, and inclusive development,” said the CS.
Why is an efficient road network conducive to businesses
According to CS Chirchir, Kenya’s expanding road network lacks sufficient funding for maintenance and expansion.
He reiterated that without proper investment, transport costs rise, businesses suffer, and economic progress slows.
“The new funding mechanisms aim to address these challenges by enabling partnerships with banks, development agencies, and private investors. This will ensure sustainable financing for road projects,” he added.
I have just arrived back from Accra, Ghana, where I had the honor to convey H.E. President @WilliamsRuto‘s warm greetings to H.E. President @JDMahama and the great people of the Republic of Ghana.I noted with appreciation that Kenya and Ghana enjoy fraternal relations and
The CS observed that public input is crucial to refining these regulations for maximum effectiveness, ensuring they meet the needs of businesses, communities, and travellers.
“Supporting structured financing and regulatory discipline will help create a resilient and efficient road network, driving Kenya’s prosperity,” he noted.
