The World Bank has agreed to provide $500 million for the construction of a road linking Kenya and South Sudan, Kenyan Ministry of Transport has announced.

The road is expected to improve cross-border trade and reduce transportation costs.

The ministry’s principal secretary says the construction will start next year and will take six years to complete.

South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijak Mijok says the Africa Development Bank will also fund the construction.

He told Eye Radio that the feasibility study on the project has started.

“The finance arrangement has been made to be in three sections. We are now arranging for consultants and then later we will call the contractor,” Mr Mijak said.

The road linking Kenya and South Sudan will begin from Eldoret in Kenya to Juba.