China-US Competition in East Africa's LAPSSET Corridor

 The London School of Economics and Political Science posted on 18 September 2025 a commentary titled "China's LAPSSET Corridor and the US's Stakes in the Horn of Africa" by Tewodros Woldearegay, Lingnan University.  

China is financing and building development projects in the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor designed to create an East African economic zone.  China's engagement threatens to limit long-standing US security interests in the region.  The author argues that the US and its allies need to do a better job of offering economic and security alternatives to counter China's initiatives.  

China Expands Engagement in Kenyan Ports

 The China Global South Project published on 17 April 2025 an article titled "China Eyes Strategic Role in Kenya's Port Privatization Plans" by Christain Geraud Neema Byamungu.

China is positioning itself for a larger role in Kenya's port infrastructure.  The China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) has recently been awarded the contract to construct Berth 198 at the Port of Mombasa.  CCCC previously provided maritime infrastructure at the port of Lamu.  

East African Community: Shaping a China-Centric Regional Order

 Megatrends Afrika published on 12 February 2023 an analysis titled "China's Belt and Road Initiative in the East African Community" by Cliff Mboya.

The paper argues that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is actively shaping a new spatial order in the East African Community (EAC) by influencing key stakeholders' perspectives and preferences.  China's particular visions of global and regional development through the BRI are gaining traction in the EAC, making it an indispensable actor with considerable political and economic influence - and thereby challenging the role of traditional development partners in the region.  

Al-Shabaab Attacks Chinese Construction Project in Kenya

 Capital News published on 15 March 2022 an article titled "Matiang'i Meets Chinese Trade Association Officials Over Security of Key Projects in Kenya" by Bruhan Makong.

Kenyan Officials met with the Chinese ambassador to Kenya to discuss improving security at Chinese construction sites near the Somali border that have been subject to increasing attacks by the Somali-based al-Shabaab terrorist organization. 

The Star published on 15 March 2022 an article titled "Fleeing Gunmen Kill 5 People at Construction Site in Lamu."

This is an account of the latest al-Shabaab attack on the Chinese construction site.  A Chinese national was briefly detained before being released.  Two Chinese foremen were held hostage, reportedly released, and then escaped into the forest.  

Somali Terrorist Group Attacks Chinese Construction Site in Kenya

 The Indo-Asian News Service published on 24 January 2022 an article titled "Suspected Al-Shabab Suspects Burn Down 8 Trucks in Kenya,"

The Somali terrorist organization, al-Shabaab, attacked the construction site of the China Communications Construction Company in Lamu County, Kenya and destroyed 8 vehicles.  The Kenya Defense Forces engaged the attackers.  There reportedly were no Chinese casualties, although this construction project has periodically been subject to attack by al-Shabaab.  .

The Politics of Ports in the Horn of Africa

African Arguments published on 18 July 2018 a commentary titled "The Politics of Ports in the Horn: War, Peace and Red Sea Rivalries" by David Styan.

The author concluded that ports in the Horn of Africa are proving to be of increasing interests to rival Arab and Chinese investors and the politics of ports have become central in shaping political alliances and enmities across the region.

Opening Up Northeast Kenya

African Arguments posted on 27 June 2018 an article titled "LAPSSET: Will a New Highway Open Up the Long-neglected Garissa?" by Nick Young.

A major road from Lamu Port on the Kenyan coast to Garissa in the Somali inhabited section of Kenya is part of the $25 billion Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia (LAPSSET) project. This article looks at the economic, social, and security aspects of the road project.

Kenyan Elections and Violence in the North

The International Crisis Group published on 19 July 2017 a report titled "Ethnic Contest and Electoral Violence in Northern Kenya" by Abdullahi Abdille.

General elections in Kenya in August could trigger intercommunal fighting. In Isiolo and Marsabit, longstanding tensions primarily pitting the dominant Boran against minority ethnic groups are exacerbated by the electoral contest for county leadership.

China in East African Pipeline Wars

The China-Africa Reporting Project posted on 17 June 2016 "China in East African Pipeline Wars" by Bob Wekesa, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Wekesa discusses the geopolitical battle in East Africa over cross-border infrastructure for the transportation of oil. He focuses on the interests of China and other external players.

Kenya: County Government and the 2017 Elections

The International Crisis Group published on 7 April 2016 a commentary titled "Kenya: Development, County Governments and the Risk of 2017 Election Violence" by Abdullahi Abdille and Rashid Abdi. It looks at Kenya's new focus on county governments and the impact of ethnic groups.

Growing Doubts about East Africa's LAPSSET

This is Africa published on 1March 2016 an article titled "Wishful Thinking: Kenya's Infrastructure Pitch" by Adrienne Klasa. 


The article concerns the LAPSSET transport infrastructure project that will link South Sudan and Ethiopia to a deep water port on Kenya's coast by road, air, rail, and pipeline.  While work has begun on the port, new questions are being raised about the economic viability of the project.

LAPSSET: Delays and Questions about Rationale

The Rift Valley Institute just published a major study titled "LAPSSET: The History and Politics of an Eastern African Megaproject" by Adrian J. Browne, PhD candidate at Durham University.

The author concludes that the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) project has encountered delays, financing questions, and even concerns about its rationale.  It is unlikely the pipeline will reach South Sudan or that the railway will be completed within this decade.  The dramatic fall in oil prices and increasing insecurity in northern Kenya since mid-2014 are resulting in a desire for answers to more questions about the future of the project. 

Infrastructure Projects Move Forward in Ethiopia and Djibouti; LAPSSET Stalled in Kenya

The Mail and Guardian Africa published on 30 September 2015 an article titled "Bullish Ethiopia and Djibouti Agree on $1.55Bn Pipeline; Kenya's LAPSSET Has Reason to Worry."  Ethiopia and Djibouti signed an agreement to construct a 340-mile pipeline to transport diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel from the port of Djibouti to central Ethiopia.  This followed the recent completion of track laying for the 481-mile Djibouti-Addis Ababa railway.  In the meantime, the Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor has been delayed due to security concerns near Kenya's border with Somalia. 

The Mipakani Project in Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan

The Mipakani Project now has a website that covers the Lamu-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor and other development initiatives in northern Kenya and bordering countries.  Mipakani is Swahili for "at the borders" or "from the borders."  The website contains a collection of downloadable documents and multimedia material dealing with the various initiatives.

The AU-China Infrastructure Deal: A New Approach?

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published a brief commentary on 9 February 2015 titled "The AU-China Infrastructure Deal: A Shifting Terrain" by Ross Anthony, interim director of the Centre.

The African Union and China signed early this year a memorandum of understanding for a series of infrastructure projects which will cross the African continent.  Details of the understanding are not available, but it seems to suggest a model of engagement on infrastructure building that will be different than the traditional "Angola model," whereby China provides loans for infrastructure within one country in return for the shipment of natural resources to China to pay off the loan.