By KPC Reporter
The Government of Sweden, in partnership with TradeMark Africa, has launched a KSh 52 million solar lighting project at the Malaba One Stop Border Post.
The move is aimed at improving cross-border trade efficiency and strengthening sustainable infrastructure along the Northern Corridor.
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The project is expected to enhance operational reliability at one of East Africa’s busiest border points by providing clean, consistent and cost-effective energy for both trade facilitation systems and security operations.
Speaking during the launch at Malaba OSBP in Busia County, the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Håkan Åkesson, said the initiative reflects Sweden’s broader commitment to green infrastructure and climate-smart development in the region.
He noted that reliable energy supply is central to improving trade efficiency at border points that handle high volumes of cargo daily.
“This climate-smart initiative is designed to improve trade facilitation by ensuring reliable and sustainable energy at one of East Africa’s busiest border points,” he said, adding that the project underscores Sweden’s support for regional economic integration and sustainable development.
The solarization project is part of wider efforts to modernize infrastructure along the Northern Corridor, a key trade route linking Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
TradeMark Africa officials said the intervention is expected to significantly reduce operational bottlenecks that have long affected efficiency at border points, including power interruptions and high energy costs associated with dependence on the national grid.
TradeMark Africa Director Dr. Lilian Mwai said the initiative will directly improve the ease and speed of doing business at the border while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
“These sentiments were echoed by Director Trademark Africa Dr. Lilian Mwai, who noted that the solarization project will significantly boost trade efficiency between Kenya and its regional partners,” she said.
She further explained that the project aligns with broader regional infrastructure development goals aimed at strengthening trade flows while reducing operational inefficiencies.
“The initiative is aligned with efforts to strengthen infrastructure along the Northern Corridor while addressing persistent bottlenecks that have long hindered seamless trade, making cross-border trade more reliable and cost-effective by reducing dependency on the national grid, which has often proved costly and inconsistent for operations at the border,” she added.
Local leadership also welcomed the development, terming it a major boost to both economic activity and security at the border.
Busia County Deputy Governor Arthur Odera said the installation of solar lighting will help unlock a 24-hour economy at the Malaba border point, allowing for smoother movement of goods and extended working hours for agencies operating at the facility.
He noted that improved lighting and reliable energy supply will also enhance security surveillance and reduce operational costs for key institutions such as the Kenya Revenue Authority, which has previously relied heavily on the national grid.
The project is expected to serve as a model for other border posts across the region as governments and development partners push for greener, more efficient trade infrastructure systems.
