The development emerged following a meeting between Somali Ambassador Jabril Abdulle and Roads PS Joseph Mbugua.
After the discussions, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to advance discussions on extending the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project into Somalia.
The two countries also agreed to convene a high-level joint meeting as they move towards implementation.
Amb Jabril welcomed Somalia’s inclusion in the landmark regional initiative, which he said will enhance connectivity between Somalia and Kenya.
“This important project will facilitate cross-border trade, improve regional fibre-optic connectivity and unlock greater economic opportunities for communities across the two countries,” he said.
The proposed extension gives a new cross-border dimension to a project that has been under development for years but whose Kenyan component has faced security and implementation challenges in Northeastern.
The World Bank approved $750 million in financing for the original HoAGDP in 2020, targeting the 740km Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor.
The project initially provided for upgrading 365km of the corridor, alongside 30km of spur roads. It also includes fibre-optic infrastructure along the entire corridor, border-management systems, border posts and other measures intended to improve trade and access to services in northeastern Kenya.
In March, the State Department for Roads said enhanced security measures had been implemented to support construction works after a high-level meeting involving the Roads, Interior and Defence ministries reviewed the project's progress.
Earlier in January, Roads CS Davis Chirchir, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Defence CS Soipan Tuya joined senior security and roads officials for discussions on a new security management plan for the corridor.
The World Bank has described the HoAGDP as a project operating in a conflict-prone and fragile part of the country, with insecurity posing significant risks to construction and other project activities. The bank has developed a comprehensive security approach to protect workers, infrastructure and communities along the corridor.
The strategic importance of the route extends well beyond northern Kenya.
The World Bank's original project documents envisaged the corridor as part of a wider network connecting Kenya with Somalia and Ethiopia and improving movement along adjoining corridors into the two countries.
In March, the World Bank approved an additional $290 million for the HoAGDP and $260 million for the Second HoAGDP, bringing new financing to $550 million.
The two projects are expected to upgrade 508km of the 740km Isiolo-Mandera corridor, while other development partners finance the remaining sections.
The World Bank says the investments are expected to cut travel time between Nairobi and Mandera from about three days to one, while reducing transport and trade costs.
The programme also includes about 1,270km of new high-capacity fibre-optic connectivity.
The project is expected to facilitate movement of goods and people, improve border management and reduce the cost and time involved in cross-border trade.
The World Bank has identified trade facilitation and regional integration as central objectives of the corridor.
