Economics

Traffic Jams in Kenya’s Capital Bleed $1 Billion From Economy

  • Nairobi is world’s fourth-most congested city, agency says
  • State plans exclusive bus lanes along five key routes
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Cars and minibuses stuck in grinding traffic cause many a missed meeting in Kenya’s capital, potentially costing East Africa’s largest economy almost $1 billion a year in lost productivity.

That’s according to the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, which ranked Nairobi as the world’s fourth most congested city. In a new report, it put the average travel time in the city -- home to 3.2 million people -- at 57 minutes, and recommended a Bus Rapid Transit System for five key routes to stem the gridlock.