In the grand map of the the Belt and Road Initiative, Kenya is drawing a magnificent picture of economic prosperity and sustainable development with two key transportation projects as pen. The upgrade of the Nairobi Mombasa highway and the expansion of the Mombasa port are like two wheel drive, injecting a continuous stream of power into Kenya's development.

The Nairobi Mombasa Expressway, a 473 kilometer long transportation artery, is the lifeline connecting Kenya's capital Nairobi with its primary port and second largest city Mombasa. However, the passage of time and the growing demand for transportation have overwhelmed the existing A8 highway. In this context, Kenya has decisively launched a highway upgrade project costing approximately $3.5 billion, making it a priority for sustained economic development. The upgraded highway will significantly reduce travel time to 4 hours, which not only means a significant improvement in traffic conditions and a leap in logistics efficiency, but also opens up new channels for Kenya's economic prosperity. Convenient transportation will attract more investment and promote industrial agglomeration. At the same time, the tourism industry, as an important industry, will also attract more tourists and achieve further growth due to the convenience of transportation. The project is managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and adopts a PPP model with the participation of American private equity firms, reflecting the positive role of international cooperation in infrastructure construction. Although the project faces challenges such as income expectation adjustment and operation restructuring, it is also a necessary process for continuous optimization and exploration of sustainable development path under the the Belt and Road framework.

At the same time, the expansion project of Mombasa Port is also steadily progressing. The Kenyan government has invested 317 million US dollars to develop Mombasa Port into the primary port in East Africa. As an important transportation hub in East Africa, the expansion of Mombasa Port has strategic significance. After the completion of the project, the port facilities will be comprehensively upgraded, and the cargo throughput will be significantly increased. The road connections to and from the port will also be optimized synchronously to meet the traffic needs of more heavy vehicles. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, will provide solid support for Kenya's foreign trade and regional economic cooperation and become an important node of regional connectivity under the the Belt and Road Initiative. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, the Belt and Road project, overseas project

Guided by the the Belt and Road Initiative, these two major transportation projects in Kenya are interpreting the concept of win-win cooperation with practical actions. They will not only improve Kenya's domestic transportation infrastructure, but also promote regional economic integration and development, contributing to the prosperity and stability of Kenya and even the entire East African region.Editor/Cheng Liting