Kenya’s government has signed a 154.2 billion Kenyan shilling ($1.2 billion) agreement with China Road and Bridge Corporation to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said on Tuesday.
The East African nation plans to nearly triple the annual passenger capacity at the Nairobi airport to 22 million people from 7.5 million
The project was previously halted last year after Kenya cancelled a 2024 agreement with India’s Adani Group following the indictment of its founder in the United States.
“The project scope includes the construction of a new terminal building and associated support facilities, the modernisation and upgrading of existing infrastructure, the improvement of airside and landside operations,” Chirchir said on his X account.
Heavy aviation investments
Kenya is aiming to maintain its role as a regional aviation hub as countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda invest heavily in new airport construction to attract airlines and travellers.
Kenya’s government has previously stated that JKIA is operating beyond capacity and requires modernisation but emphasised that the airport was not for sale.
As of 2025, JKIA handled roughly 9 million passengers, above its design capacity of 7.5 million passengers annually, Chirchir said.
Last week, Chirchir said the government had appointed Africa’s Trade and Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation to arrange financing for the project.
