The Port of Mombasa recorded a historic performance in 2025, affirming the government’s sustained investments in port modernisation, trade facilitation and regional logistics integration, official data from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) shows.
Total cargo throughput at the port rose to a record 45.45 million metric tonnes in 2025, up from 40.99 million tonnes in 2024, representing a 10.9 percent increase or an additional 4.46 million tonnes of cargo handled within a year.
The milestone positions the Port of Mombasa as one of the fastest-growing ports in the Western Indian Ocean region and underscores Kenya’s strengthening role as East Africa’s logistics hub.
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Capt. William Ruto attributed the growth to deliberate government reforms aimed at easing cargo movement and enhancing efficiency.
“This performance reflects sustained economic activity and a renewed trade demand ecosystem supported by improved logistics, policy alignment and streamlined cargo clearance processes,” Ruto said.
Strong Imports, Transit Cargo Drive Economic Momentum
A breakdown of the figures shows that import cargo volumes increased sharply to 36 million metric tonnes, up from 30 million tonnes in 2024, translating to a 20.1 percent growth. This rise mirrors increased industrial activity, infrastructure development and consumer demand across the country.
Export cargo also maintained positive growth, climbing to 5.03 million tonnes from 4.96 million tonnes, while transit cargo surged by 19.5 percent, growing from 13.29 million tonnes to 15.88 million tonnes — a strong signal of renewed confidence from regional economies that rely on Kenya’s port infrastructure.
The domestic cargo market share expanded from 53.1 percent to 55.4 percent, with volumes rising by 3.50 million tonnes, reinforcing the port’s central role in supporting the national economy.
“The growing market share confirms that government-led port reforms are delivering tangible results for Kenyan businesses and the wider region,” Ruto noted.
Container Traffic, Vessel Calls Reflect Global Confidence
Container handling performance also improved, with the Port of Mombasa processing 2.11 million TEUs in 2025, up from 2.00 million TEUs in 2024 — a 5.5 percent increase.
Vessel calls rose to 1,955 ships, compared to 1,873 vessels the previous year, indicating increased confidence among global shipping lines.
“The rise in vessel calls underlines the trust international shipping lines have placed in Kenya’s port systems, efficiency and reliability,” Ruto said.
Government Investments Power Growth Across All Ports
Beyond Mombasa, other ports under KPA also recorded notable gains, reflecting the government’s broader maritime development agenda.
At Kisumu Port, cargo volumes jumped by 55 percent, rising from 295,516 metric tonnes in 2024 to 496,516 metric tonnes in 2025, following rehabilitation works and renewed focus on inland water transport.
“The performance of Kisumu port demonstrates the immense potential of lake transport in driving regional trade and lowering logistics costs,” Ruto said.
Meanwhile, Lamu Port continued its steady ascent as an emerging maritime gateway, handling 55,687 TEUs in 2025, with more international shipping lines introducing scheduled services.
“Lamu’s strategic location is increasingly attracting global carriers seeking to tap into regional trade routes. Government investments are building confidence in the port’s long-term viability,” Ruto added.
Infrastructure Expansion Anchors Future Growth
KPA confirmed that the government is accelerating port capacity expansion to sustain long-term growth. Ongoing projects include:
- Rehabilitation of Berth 19B
- Planned construction of Berths 23 and 24, expected to add 1.4 million TEUs to Mombasa’s capacity
- Construction of Dongo Kundu Berth One, now 15 percent complete, to serve the Special Economic Zone
- Upgrade of the Terminal Operating System (40 percent complete)
- Automation of port gates into smart gates, with pilot sites at 60 percent completion
“These investments demonstrate the government’s commitment to future-proofing Kenya’s ports and entrenching global best practices in maritime services,” Ruto said.
The record cargo volumes, growth rates and infrastructure milestones reflect the impact of sustained government investment, policy stability and institutional reforms at Kenya’s ports — reinforcing the country’s position as a regional trade and logistics powerhouse.
