Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has recorded a significant uplift in freight activity during the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo across the network. Average daily freight volumes rose by 12.3%, reflecting strengthening demand along one of East Africa’s most strategic trade corridors.
Container traffic on the SGR has been a key driver of this growth, supported by broader shifts in global trade policy. China’s decision to expand tariff-free access for a wider range of Kenyan exports has stimulated bilateral trade flows, encouraging greater use of rail freight between the Port of Mombasa and inland distribution hubs.
The SGR continues to play a pivotal role in reducing reliance on road haulage, improving transit times, and lowering logistics costs for shippers operating in the region. Rising container throughput also signals growing confidence among importers and exporters in the reliability of rail-based supply chains.
For freight forwarders and international trade partners, the combination of enhanced infrastructure performance and preferential market access presents new opportunities to optimise routing, consolidate shipments, and expand trade volumes between East Africa and Asia.
At RW Freight, we continue to monitor developments across key global trade corridors to ensure our clients benefit from efficient, cost-effective, and reliable freight forwarding solutions.