• The Port of Mombasa handled 45.45 million tonnes in 2025, up 10.9% year on year.
• Transit traffic rose 19.5% to 15.88 million tonnes, while container volumes climbed 5.5% to 2.11 million TEUs.
• Kenya Ports Authority expanded capacity and digital systems as regional competition with Dar es Salaam intensified.

In 2025, the Port of Mombasa handled a total throughput of 45.45 million tonnes. The port recorded a 10.9% increase from 2024, which translated into an additional 4.46 million tonnes. Transit traffic accounted for 15.88 million tonnes and posted a 19.5% year-on-year increase. At the same time, containerized cargo volumes rose 5.5% to 2.11 million TEUs, compared with 2 million TEUs in 2024.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), several planned and ongoing initiatives supported this growth. These initiatives include infrastructure expansion and service digitalization.

Key projects include the extension of berths and storage yards, notably berths 19B, 23, and 24. These developments will add capacity for an additional 1.4 million TEUs. Digitalization projects focus on upgrading the Terminal Operating System and automating port gates to improve efficiency and fluidity.

In addition, KPA is investing in the acquisition and modernization of port equipment to support higher volumes and operational performance.

Secondary ports also recorded growth. The ports of Lamu and Kisumu handled 99,161 tonnes, compared with 74,380 tonnes a year earlier, and 799,161 metric tonnes, compared with 74,380 tonnes previously.

These figures confirm Mombasa’s central role in Kenya’s logistics ecosystem and across the wider region. The port serves several landlocked neighboring countries, including Uganda, where a large share of imports transit through Mombasa.

However, Mombasa faces increasing competition from Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian port is strengthening its position as a key transit hub for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. In 2025, Dar es Salaam recorded total traffic of 27.7 million tonnes, up from 23.69 million tonnes the previous year.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM