Finance ministers from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have agreed to prioritise financing for the long-anticipated Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), in a renewed push to accelerate regional connectivity and trade.
The ministers reached the agreement during a high-level meeting held in Washington, D.C. on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings 2026.
The meeting brought together John Mbadi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning; Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning; and Henry Musasizi, Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance in charge of General Duties.
Senior officials in attendance included Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Ramathan Ggoobi, Chris Kiptoo and Gerald Mugabe.
Regional commitment to SGR expansion
Kenya reaffirmed its lead role in advancing the railway, with Mbadi stating that Nairobi is committed to completing and extending the SGR to the Malaba border with Uganda. He emphasised the need for tighter coordination among partner states to ensure the project’s viability.
Rwanda signaled readiness to extend the railway further inland. Murangwa said Kigali is prepared to pick up the SGR from Uganda’s border, describing the project as a strategic opportunity to connect not just the region but the wider African continent through improved trade and investment flows.
Uganda, for its part, reiterated that groundwork is already underway. Musasizi said construction efforts have commenced on the Malaba–Kampala stretch, stressing that the success of the project hinges on collective commitment from all participating countries.
“The viability of this SGR depends on all of us committing to do the project,” Musasizi said, adding that Uganda plans to extend the line to the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Financing strategy takes shape
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Ggoobi, revealed that the government has already contracted the construction of the 270-kilometre Malaba–Kampala segment. He added that Citibank has been appointed as lead arranger and coordinator for the project’s financing.
Ggoobi noted that progress has been made in securing the right of way and that discussions are ongoing with the World Bank to support funding for the railway.
In separate engagements, the Ugandan delegation held talks with World Bank officials led by Qimiao Fan, who indicated that the institution is open to exploring financing options for the project.
The delegation also met Citibank executives, including Richard Hodder, to review progress in mobilising funds.
Strategic importance
Officials say the SGR remains a cornerstone infrastructure project expected to transform regional logistics by lowering cargo transport costs, improving efficiency and boosting trade competitiveness across East Africa.
With all three countries now aligning on financing priorities, the renewed momentum signals a critical step toward realizing a fully interconnected regional railway network.
