Kenya reached a landmark in its aviation ambitions on June 23, 2026, when the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) signed a Ksh 154.2 billion contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) for the comprehensive expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The deal commits to nearly tripling JKIA’s annual passenger capacity and transforming East Africa’s busiest gateway.
What the Ksh 154.2 Billion Contract Will Build
The 36-month project scope includes a new terminal building, runway upgrades, expansion of aircraft stands, and improved access roads. The headline deliverable is a near-tripling of annual passenger throughput: from the current 7.5 million to 22 million passengers per year. Arrival handling capacity will also improve, rising from 25 to 31 aircraft per hour. Financing is structured as a hybrid: the government intends to borrow approximately Ksh 100 billion and inject around Ksh 50 billion in direct equity through KAA.
What Comes Next
Ground preparation works are expected to begin in the second half of 2026 following financial close. If the 36-month schedule holds, a fully expanded JKIA could be operational before the close of 2029.
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