The Kenyan government has signed a Ksh 19.8 billion (€128m) loan agreement with the French government to modernize the Nairobi Commuter Rail.

The agreement aims to enhance the capital’s railway network, contributing to the overall improvement of urban transportation services.

The financial agreement was signed by the National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo and France’s Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet.

The funding is designated for various aspects of the rail modernization project, including signaling communication, the train operating system, automated level crossings, automatic fare collection systems, civil works, and Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) equipment.

The funding will cover the deployment of signaling communication, train operating systems, and automated level crossings.

Additionally, the Kenya Railways will use the funds to install an automatic fare collection system with fiber optic backbone, civil works, and Information, Communication, and technology equipment.

The modernization of line six of the Nairobi commuter rail is part of Kenya’s sustainable urban development plans that also seek to improve the city’s transport services and mobility within the Nairobi metropolitan area.