Nairobi's Smart Traffic Upgrade Moves Into Procurement With Sh10.8bn Tender

Nairobi’s smart transport ambitions have entered a new phase after the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) invited international bids for a Sh10.8 billion Nairobi smart traffic project aimed at reducing congestion and improving mobility across the capital. The programme will expand intelligent traffic management infrastructure while introducing major junction upgrades and bridge improvements in some of the city’s busiest transport corridors.

The tender marks the second phase of the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) programme, building on earlier investments that introduced smart traffic signals and surveillance technology at selected intersections. KURA says the latest project will be financed through a loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea under South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

According to the procurement notice, the design-and-build contract is valued at approximately $83.8 million, equivalent to about Sh10.8 billion. The successful contractor will be responsible for engineering design, civil works, installation of intelligent transport infrastructure, testing and commissioning.

KURA Moves Ahead With Phase II of Nairobi’s Intelligent Transport System

The project reflects a broader shift in how Nairobi is approaching traffic management. For years, road expansion projects dominated efforts to address congestion. The latest phase places greater emphasis on technology-driven coordination of existing road networks.

Phase II seeks to extend intelligent transport capabilities across 60 junctions in Nairobi. The goal is to improve traffic flow, strengthen enforcement and provide authorities with real-time visibility of traffic conditions.

KURA has also included requirements for operational support and technical training to help ensure long-term sustainability after deployment.

What the Sh10.8 Billion Project Will Deliver

The planned works combine digital infrastructure with traditional transport improvements.

Traffic Signals, Surveillance and Enforcement Systems

Among the major installations are 60 traffic signal systems, 60 CCTV cameras, 13 vehicle detector systems, two variable message signs and 60 vehicle enforcement systems. Street lighting infrastructure will also be upgraded as part of the project.

These systems are designed to improve traffic coordination at critical intersections while providing data that can help authorities respond more effectively to congestion and road safety concerns.

Vehicle detection technology allows traffic management centres to monitor traffic volumes and adjust signal timing based on actual road conditions rather than fixed schedules.

Bridge Construction and Junction Upgrades

Beyond technology deployment, the project includes construction of a one-kilometre bridge and extensions to two existing bridges.

Civil works will focus on improving the efficiency and safety of key junctions while addressing physical bottlenecks that contribute to delays across the network.

The contract also includes a four-year operational support requirement, during which specialists will assist KURA in maintaining and operating the systems.

Why Nairobi Is Turning to Smart Mobility Solutions

Nairobi’s transport challenges continue to grow alongside population expansion, economic activity and vehicle ownership.

Traffic congestion remains one of the most persistent urban problems facing the city. Long travel times affect workers, businesses and public transport operators, while delays increase fuel consumption and operating costs.

Intelligent transport systems have emerged globally as a way to improve road network performance without relying exclusively on road widening or new highway construction.

The approach uses sensors, cameras, communications infrastructure and automated traffic control systems to optimise traffic movement across connected intersections.

The Economic Case for Intelligent Traffic Management

The government’s interest in intelligent transport infrastructure extends beyond reducing commuter frustration.

Congestion carries measurable economic costs through lost productivity, fuel wastage and delays in moving goods and services. Freight operators, public transport providers and businesses all absorb costs associated with slower travel speeds and unpredictable journey times.

Supporters of smart mobility investments argue that better traffic coordination can improve efficiency across the wider economy by reducing delays and making travel times more predictable.

The Nairobi programme also reflects growing interest in using technology to improve urban management as cities across Africa continue to expand.

Challenges That Could Shape the Project’s Success

While intelligent transport systems have delivered results in many cities around the world, implementation remains only one part of the challenge.

Long-term maintenance will be critical. Cameras, sensors and communications equipment require regular servicing and replacement to remain effective.

Institutional coordination will also play an important role. Successful traffic management depends on cooperation among transport agencies, enforcement authorities and city administrators.

Power reliability, communications infrastructure and driver compliance with traffic regulations will influence whether the expected benefits are fully realised.

What Happens Next

KURA has opened the procurement process to eligible firms from countries participating in the EDCF programme.

Interested bidders must submit a bid security of $1 million, with tender submissions scheduled to close on August 4, 2026. A mandatory site visit is planned for June 23, while a pre-bid conference will take place on July 2 at KURA headquarters in Nairobi.

The next major milestone will be contractor selection. Once procurement is completed, attention will shift to implementation of a project that could become one of the largest intelligent transport deployments in East Africa.

For Nairobi residents, the ultimate measure of success will not be the number of cameras, sensors or traffic signals installed. It will be whether daily journeys become faster, safer and more predictable across the city’s most congested roads.

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