Samsung Construction and Trading Corporation is set to commence the construction of an intelligent traffic management system in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of efforts to alleviate the city’s chronic congestion. Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya, experiences severe traffic delays, with economic losses estimated at approximately $940 million annually, according to Kenya’s Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen.

The South Korean multinational secured the project after signing a $61 million contract with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority in November last year. The initiative marks the first phase of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System Establishment and Junction Improvement Project and is being financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund through the Export-Import Bank of Korea. Construction is scheduled to commence this month and is expected to be completed by February 2027.

The project entails the construction of a state-of-the-art Traffic Management Centre at City Cabanas on Mombasa Road, a major transport artery in Nairobi. Additionally, smart traffic control systems will be installed at 25 key intersections across the city. These systems will include intelligent field equipment such as traffic signals, signal controllers, surveillance cameras, vehicle enforcement mechanisms, and an integrated communication network.

As part of the initiative, several major junctions will be expanded and upgraded to optimize traffic flow. Key intersections earmarked for modification include Moi Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue, Koinange Street and Kenyatta Avenue, Mbagathi Way and Lang’ata Road, as well as Limuru Road and Muthaiga Road. The project is expected to introduce cutting-edge artificial intelligence-based transport solutions that will enhance efficiency and significantly reduce travel times for Nairobi’s commuters.

The Nairobi Intelligent Transport System will rely on artificial intelligence to monitor and regulate traffic in real time. It will incorporate smart cameras and variable timing traffic lights that adjust dynamically based on traffic density, allowing for more efficient movement along congested routes. The system is also expected to ease the burden on traffic police officers by automating several aspects of traffic regulation.

Kenyan government officials have emphasized the importance of ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability. Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir urged Samsung and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to implement durable infrastructure that can integrate future technological advancements seamlessly. The intelligent system’s ability to analyze real-time data will enable more effective traffic management, potentially serving as a model for other rapidly growing cities facing similar congestion challenges.

The implementation of this advanced transport system underscores Kenya’s commitment to modernizing its urban infrastructure and leveraging smart technology to improve mobility. With rapid urbanization continuing to place pressure on Nairobi’s road networks, the Intelligent Transport System is expected to provide much-needed relief and position the city as a leader in smart urban mobility solutions on the African continent.