The Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT), a Regional Flagship TVET Institute supported by the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), will host its first International Research Conference from 20–22 May 2026 in Mombasa, bringing together regional and international experts to examine how skills development, research, and innovation can drive sustainable road transport systems.
The conference, held under the theme “Enhancing Capacity Building and Skills Development for Sustainable Road Transport,” will convene policymakers, engineers, researchers, industry leaders, and technical training institutions to explore emerging solutions for building resilient transport infrastructure across East Africa.
As governments across the region expand road networks to facilitate trade, mobility, and economic transformation, the demand for highly skilled professionals in infrastructure development continues to grow. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions are therefore playing an increasingly strategic role in preparing the next generation of engineers, technicians, and infrastructure specialists.
KIHBT, which specialises in highways engineering and transport infrastructure training, has emerged as a regional centre of excellence in roads and transport technology under the EASTRIP programme. Through investments in modern training facilities, curriculum development, and industry partnerships, the institute is strengthening its capacity to deliver advanced technical skills aligned with regional infrastructure priorities.
The upcoming conference will provide an important platform for knowledge exchange and applied research, highlighting innovations in sustainable road construction, climate-resilient infrastructure, materials engineering, road safety, and digital technologies for infrastructure management.
The event will also highlight the critical link between skills development and regional integration, particularly within the East African Community, where improved transport corridors are essential for trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
By convening experts from academia, government, and industry, the conference aims to foster stronger collaboration between training institutions and infrastructure stakeholders, ensuring that skills development programmes remain closely aligned with the evolving needs of the transport sector.
Participants will have the opportunity to present research findings, share practical experiences from infrastructure projects, and explore opportunities for joint research and innovation across countries.
“This conference marks a historic milestone for the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology as the first international forum of its kind hosted under the Ministry of Roads and Transport,”said Arch. Geoffrey Githiri, the Ag. Director, KIHBT.
!We are bringing together partners, policymakers, contractors, trainers, and practitioners from within the country and across the globe to engage in meaningful discussions that will shape the future of capacity building in the road sector,” he said.
The event will also provide a platform for young researchers, graduate trainees, and students from technical institutions to showcase emerging research and innovations that can support the transformation of transport systems across Africa.
“The conference will also address critical cross-cutting issues, including policy and skills development, which are essential for advancing sustainable road transport systems and guiding the direction of the sector for years to come,” said Arch. Githiri
The conference will be held in hybrid format, enabling both in-person and virtual participation from professionals, academics, and students across the region and beyond. Participants will earn 12 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, providing additional professional value for engineers and transport specialists.
Registration for the conference is currently open.
By Betrice Njenga, Communication Officer for EASTRIP at Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology
