Kenya’s maritime sector booms: CMA CGM secures major port investment

French maritime transport giant CMA CGM has confirmed an $800 million investment to upgrade facilities at the Port of Mombasa. Finalized on the sidelines of the “Africa Forward” summit held in Nairobi, this historic agreement marks a major milestone in Kenya’s efforts to transition its maritime sector toward a more efficient, private sector-led “Landlord” port model.
The deal was endorsed during a high-level diplomatic and economic exchange forum co-hosted by France and attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. The investment will further strengthen economic ties between Paris and Nairobi, positioning Kenya as a premier maritime gateway for rapid trade integration across the African continent.
The $800 million fund is specifically allocated to upgrade two major container terminals in Mombasa. This intervention comes at a critical time, as the port is currently operating beyond its maximum capacity limits. Last year alone, the Port of Mombasa handled 2.11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), representing a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year.
With cargo traffic continuously rising, the Kenyan government has faced pressure to modernize infrastructure to prevent bottlenecks that could disrupt regional trade. In April, the National Treasury moved to open several Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) assets to private investment. Specifically, this framework targeted Container Terminal II (Berths 20–22) and the main Container Terminal (Berths 23–24). CMA CGM’s commitment is seen as the first major success for this new policy, which aims to leverage private capital to streamline port operations.
The implications of this upgrade extend far beyond Kenya’s borders. Mombasa serves as a primary artery for the Northern Corridor, providing vital trade access for landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. By reducing turnaround times for loading and unloading cargo and increasing the port’s capacity, this investment is expected to lower the cost of doing business across Central and Eastern Africa.
CMA CGM’s pledge to strengthen its logistics footprint in East Africa follows the recent opening of its African regional office in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The company has been aggressively expanding its African portfolio, undertaking projects ranging from electric barge initiatives at Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port to infrastructure investments in Morocco and Egypt.
While the primary focus of the $800 million fund is on Mombasa, Kenya’s broader maritime ambitions were highlighted this week by a historic milestone at the new Port of Lamu. The port hosted the MV Baltimore Express, the largest container ship ever to dock in Eastern or Central Africa.
Operated by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, the massive 369-meter “Post-Panamax” vessel arrived from the Port of Salalah in Oman. The arrival of this giant ship underscores the growing capacity of Lamu Port, where cargo volume surged by over 900% in 2025. Growing from 74,000 tons in 2024 to nearly 800,000 tons last year, Lamu Port is currently establishing itself as a premier transshipment hub.