By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni is now in Nairobi, where he has joined other African leaders and policymakers in a renewed push to fast-track infrastructure development across the continent.
His visit comes after the opening of the Africa We Build Summit 2026, a high-level forum that has shifted focus from policy discussions to practical execution getting long-delayed projects off paper and onto the ground.
Hosted at the JW Marriott and organised by the Africa Finance Corporation in partnership with the Kenyan government, the summit has drawn ministers, financiers, and private sector players from across Africa. Kenya’s President William Ruto is leading proceedings, with infrastructure positioned as a central engine for industrialisation and economic growth.
Museveni’s presence underscores growing coordination between Uganda and Kenya on cross-border projects, particularly those tied to trade corridors. The two countries have recently intensified collaboration on transport and energy systems aimed at easing movement of goods across the region.
At the heart of discussions in Nairobi is the long-standing challenge of financing. Delegates are exploring ways to unlock domestic capital, reduce investor risk, and harmonise regulatory frameworks to make large-scale infrastructure projects more bankable.
The summit builds on recent developments, including the launch of the Kisumu–Malaba extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a flagship project jointly advanced by Uganda and Kenya. The railway is expected to significantly cut transport costs along the Northern Corridor while improving cargo efficiency.
Beyond rail, leaders are also examining integrated systems linking pipelines, roads, and ports to streamline trade flows. These efforts are seen as critical in connecting inland production zones to key export hubs like the Port of Mombasa.
A major theme emerging from the summit is execution. Organisers have deliberately steered conversations away from broad policy frameworks toward actionable steps, with emphasis on timelines, financing structures, and delivery mechanisms.
Experts attending the forum stress that regional alignment especially between neighbouring states is essential for success. Without coordinated policies and shared standards, cross-border infrastructure risks delays and inefficiencies.
East Africa, in particular, is being positioned as a proving ground for new infrastructure models. If successful, the approaches discussed in Nairobi could shape how similar projects are financed and implemented across the continent.
