Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has called for bids for the design and construction of three berths, managing director of KPA, Gichiri Ndua announced on Monday.

Ndua stated the three berths would be constructed at the authority’s s second port at Lamu on the northern coast of Kenya.

The project valued at $5.3 billion is an aspect of a $23 billion transport corridor project that will link Lamu in Kenya to Ethiopia and South Sudan, facilitating investments and jobs for residents in the region.

As part of the project, railway, pipeline, highway, airport and refinery will also be constructed.

Concerning firms that are eligible to submit expressions of interest, Ndua told Reuters submission is open to local and foreign companies.

In addition to tackling Kenya’s over-reliance on Mombasa port, Lamu port project is expected to deepen trade in eastern Africa and open up northern Kenya, a region with a slower economic rate compared to the rest of the country.