The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Agreement (NCTTA) is the multilateral legal framework guiding cooperation among Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda to facilitate interstate and transit trade, improve movement of people and goods, develop transport infrastructure and promote regional integration. The original Agreement was signed on 19 February 1985 and entered into force on 18 November 1986, establishing a coordinated framework for transit trade through the Port of Mombasa. Following changes in regional trade and transport, the Agreement was comprehensively revised and signed in Nairobi on 6 October 2007. The revised NCTTA broadened its focus from transit facilitation to transforming the Northern Corridor into an integrated Development Corridor supporting trade, investment, socioeconomic development, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. South Sudan joined in December 2012, becoming the sixth Member State. The Agreement
At its core, the NCTTA provides a common legal and institutional framework within which Member States cooperate on the transportation of goods and persons along the Northern Corridor. The Agreement seeks to ensure that the Corridor functions as an integrated regional transport system rather than as a collection of individual national transport networks.
Under the Agreement, Member States cooperate on matters including:
Article 3 of the NCTTA establishes four overarching objectives.
Together, these objectives establish the Northern Corridor not simply as a transport route, but as a platform for regional integration, investment and sustainable economic transformation.
The NCTTA is supported by 11 Protocols, which form an integral part of the Agreement and provide detailed rules for cooperation in specific areas of transit and transport.
Protocol 1 — Maritime Port Facilities: Provides the framework for access to and use of maritime port facilities in Kenya for transit cargo, based on principles including equitable access and treatment.
Protocol 2 — Routes and Facilities: Provides for the designation, development, operation and management of transport routes and related facilities used for interstate and transit traffic along the Northern Corridor.
Protocol 3 — Customs Control and Operations: Establishes principles and procedures for customs treatment and control of goods moving between Member States or under customs transit.
Protocol 4 — Documentation and Procedures: Promotes the simplification, standardisation and harmonisation of documentation and procedures used in trade and transport operations along the Corridor.
Protocol 5 — Transport of Goods by Rail: Provides the framework governing interstate and transit movement of goods by railway and coordination among railway operators and relevant authorities.
Protocol 6 — Transport of Goods by Road: Establishes the framework governing international and transit road freight operations, including principles of reciprocity, non-discrimination, licensing and operational requirements.
Protocol 7 — Inland Waterways Transport: Provides a framework for the use of navigable inland waterways for regional and international transport and promotes equitable access and safe transport operations.
Protocol 8 — Transport by Pipeline: Provides the framework for secure and efficient transport of petroleum and related products through pipeline systems crossing Member States.
Protocol 9 — Multimodal Transport of Goods: Provides for the movement of goods using two or more modes of transport under an integrated transport arrangement and establishes relevant responsibilities and documentation requirements.
Protocol 10 — Handling of Dangerous Goods: Provides requirements for the safe transportation and handling of dangerous goods in accordance with applicable international standards and conventions.
Protocol 11 — Measures of Facilitation for Transit Agencies, Traders and Employees: Provides measures to facilitate the operations and movement of transport operators, agencies, traders and employees involved in interstate and transit activities.
Together, the Protocols translate the broad principles of the Agreement into practical rules governing the day-to-day movement of goods and persons along the Northern Corridor.
Explore the complete legal framework governing regional cooperation along the Northern Corridor.
The full Agreement includes the main treaty provisions, declaration, Protocols and related annexes governing transit and transport operations across the Northern Corridor.
