Kenya has advanced the next phase of a USD 1.2 billion expansion project for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, aimed at nearly tripling the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 7.5 million to 22 million. The project is expected to strengthen Nairobi’s position as one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport said the bidding process for a design-and-build contractor closed on May 14, 2026, after an open international tender launched in March. Submitted bids are now being evaluated in line with public procurement regulations.
The modernization programme includes rehabilitation of existing runways and airfield infrastructure, expansion of current passenger facilities and construction of a new terminal. The new terminal will be able to handle 10 million passengers annually, while upgraded existing terminals will accommodate 12 million passengers per year.
The expansion comes as passenger traffic continues to exceed the capacity of infrastructure originally designed for much lower volumes. As Kenya’s main international gateway and the primary hub for Kenya Airways, JKIA plays a key role in connecting East Africa with destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The project is also part of Kenya’s wider strategy to remain competitive as other African aviation hubs, including Addis Ababa, Kigali and Johannesburg, invest heavily in airport infrastructure. By expanding JKIA, Kenya aims to capture rising passenger, transit and cargo traffic across the region.
Beyond passenger travel, JKIA is central to Kenya’s economy. The airport supports tourism, international trade and air cargo exports, including fresh produce, flowers and other agricultural products bound for European and Middle Eastern markets.
The government plans to finance the project mainly through airport-generated revenues rather than direct public spending. The Trade and Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation have been appointed as lead arrangers to structure financing involving development finance institutions and commercial lenders.
The wider programme will include runway rehabilitation and resurfacing, expansion of aircraft aprons and taxiways, upgrades to utilities and aviation systems, and improvements to operational facilities and airport access roads.
The expansion is based on a long-term master plan commissioned by the government to assess future aviation demand and infrastructure needs. The study found that major investment is required for Nairobi to maintain its role as a regional gateway and accommodate future growth in passenger and cargo traffic.
Implementation will take place in phases. Construction of the new terminal is expected to take around 36 months, runway rehabilitation and resurfacing works are scheduled for completion within 15 months, and upgrades to existing terminal facilities are expected to take about 18 months.
Once completed, the JKIA expansion will become one of the largest airport infrastructure projects underway in East Africa. It is expected to improve passenger handling, support trade and tourism, strengthen regional connectivity and position Kenya for long-term growth in aviation and logistics.
