Kenya has officially launched a Sh154.2 billion plan to transform Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), setting the stage for one of the country's biggest aviation infrastructure projects aimed at easing congestion and cementing Nairobi's position as a leading gateway into Africa.
The government on Tuesday signed the contract for the ambitious modernisation project, which will see the construction of a new terminal building, upgrades to existing airport facilities and improvements to overall airport operations.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the agreement was signed on behalf of the government by Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) General Manager Yu Xiaodong.
The project marks a major milestone in efforts to expand capacity at East Africa's busiest airport amid growing passenger and cargo demand.
According to Chirchir, the investment will include the construction of a new terminal and supporting facilities, modernisation of existing infrastructure, improvements to airside and landside operations and enhanced service delivery.
The government says the project is designed to improve safety standards, boost operational efficiency and strengthen Kenya's status as a leading aviation gateway on the continent.
“Today, I witnessed the signing of the contract for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Modernisation Project, a major national infrastructure investment valued at Sh154.2 billion,” Chirchir said.
He added that the project is a strategic investment intended to support Kenya's long-term economic growth by improving connectivity and facilitating trade, tourism and investment.
The contract signing comes months after the completion of the JKIA Master Plan in February 2026, which laid out a roadmap for the airport's expansion and redevelopment.
Chirchir said the procurement process had been underway for the past three months and attracted strong interest from both local and international firms.
More than 40 companies participated in a pre-bid conference held in April 2026, where prospective contractors were briefed on the project's scope, technical requirements and implementation expectations.
The Cabinet Secretary said all bids were evaluated on both technical and financial merit and that the procurement process complied with all legal and regulatory requirements.
“As a Ministry, we remain firmly committed to transparency, accountability and strict adherence to all required standards as we deliver world-class aviation infrastructure that will position JKIA as a premier gateway to Africa and drive Kenya's economic growth and competitiveness,” Chirchir said.
JKIA is Kenya's main international airport and serves as a critical transit hub linking Africa with Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to ease congestion, improve passenger experience, increase cargo handling capacity and advance Kenya's ambition of becoming a leading aviation and logistics hub in Africa.
