Kenya's SGR sees freight growth amid China's zero-tariff policy

This photo taken on July 10, 2026 shows a cargo train on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) entering Port Reitz Station in Mombasa, Kenya.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A freight locomotive bound for Nairobi leaves a depot at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A crane hoists a container at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A staff member checks containers at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows containers at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A crane hoists a container at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A crane hoists a container at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 9, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

A staff member checks the containers at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, July 10, 2026.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows containers at Port Reitz Station on the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya.

Effective May 1, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on products from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

According to the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) operated a total of 3,931 freight trains in the first half of 2026, transporting 4.278 million tonnes of cargo, with average daily cargo volume up 12.3 percent year on year. Container shipments from Nairobi to Mombasa rose sharply in May and June following the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, increasing by about 44 percent compared with the average monthly volume recorded earlier this year. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)