JICA’s Port of Mombasa Partnership – A Model for Regional Development
Dongo Kundu By Pass constructed by JICA. (Photo/ Courtsy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email. thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
The recent visit by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Tanaka Akihiko to the Port of Mombasa represents more than a diplomatic courtesy call.
It symbolizes the enduring power of strategic international partnerships in transforming critical infrastructure that drives regional economic growth.
His expressed satisfaction with the port’s performance and the successful implementation of the Mombasa Port Development Programme (MPDP) II offers valuable lessons for development cooperation across Africa and beyond.
What makes this partnership particularly noteworthy is its long-term vision and sustained commitment. Mr. Akihiko’s observation that witnessing the MPDP II implementation was “like a dream come true” underscores the rare satisfaction that comes from seeing development projects through from conception to successful completion.
Having submitted the MPDP II proposals during his first term between 2012-2015, his return to observe the tangible results demonstrates the kind of continuity that development projects desperately need but seldom receive.
The Port of Mombasa’s transformation under JICA’s support illustrates how targeted infrastructure investment can create ripple effects throughout an entire region.
As East Africa’s gateway to international trade, the port’s enhanced capacity and efficiency directly impact the economic fortunes of not just Kenya, but landlocked countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When port operations become more efficient, transportation costs decrease, goods move faster, and regional competitiveness improves in global markets.
Captain William Ruto’s acknowledgment that the Kenya Ports Authority “owes its present infrastructural developments to JICA’s support” reflects a refreshing honesty about the role of international cooperation in national development.
Too often, development partnerships are characterized by either excessive deference or misplaced pride that obscures the genuine collaborative nature of successful projects. The mutual respect evident in this relationship suggests a partnership based on shared objectives rather than donor-recipient dynamics.
The urgency with which Captain Ruto appeals for the fast-tracking of MPDP III approvals reveals both the success of previous phases and the continuous nature of infrastructure development needs. Ports, like all critical infrastructure, require ongoing investment to maintain their competitive edge and accommodate growing trade volumes.
The anticipation surrounding MPDP III and the confidence expressed in the Dongo Kundu port developments suggest that this partnership has created momentum that extends well beyond individual projects.
What emerges from this collaboration is a model of development cooperation that other international partnerships would do well to emulate. The presence of both senior JICA officials and Kenya Ports Authority management in these discussions demonstrates institutional commitment at the highest levels.
This is not merely project implementation but strategic relationship building that creates frameworks for sustained cooperation.
The broader implications of this partnership extend beyond port infrastructure. Japan’s approach through JICA represents a form of development cooperation that emphasizes capacity building, technology transfer, and long-term economic partnership rather than short-term aid dependency.
This model creates conditions for recipient countries to eventually become partners in their own right, contributing to regional and global development.
For Kenya and the broader East African region, the Port of Mombasa’s continued improvement under JICA’s support represents a foundation for increased regional integration and economic growth.
Efficient port operations reduce the cost of doing business, attract investment, and create employment opportunities that extend far beyond the port itself. The multiplier effects of such infrastructure improvements are felt throughout the economy, from small-scale traders to large multinational corporations.
As Mr. Akihiko noted, the port serves as a “critical trade facilitator in the East Africa region.” This recognition of the port’s regional significance reinforces the importance of thinking beyond national boundaries when planning infrastructure development.
The most successful development projects are those that create regional public goods, generating benefits that extend across borders and contribute to broader economic integration.
The JICA-Port of Mombasa partnership demonstrates that effective development cooperation requires patience, continuity, and mutual respect. It shows that when international partners commit to long-term relationships and focus on building institutional capacity, the results can transform not just individual facilities but entire regional economies. This approach offers a blueprint for sustainable development that other partnerships would be wise to follow.
The author is a policy analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development.
