China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has signed an agreement worth around US$1.2bn for the expansion of Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
The project update was shared by the country’s Transport Minister Davis Chirchir, posting to his X social media account, and later reported by Reuters.
“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 in his update.
The expansion of Kenya’s main gateway airport in Nairobi forms part of national efforts to revitalise infrastructure and open the door to more arrivals.
The project aims to almost triple annual passenger capacity at the airport from around 7.5 million people to 22 million people.
Progress was hit thwarted, however, after the cancellation of a previous agreement with India’s Adani Group following the indictment of its founder in the United States.
Last week, Chirchir also noted that the Kenyan government had appointed Africa's Trade and Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation to arrange financing for the project.
As East Africa’s largest economy, Kenya is keen to expand its transport infrastructure, including ports, roads and rail lines, to reassert its position in the region, and to boost logistics and supply chain efficiencies.
In air transport, Kenya hopes to maintain its role as a regional aviation hub in the face of growing competition from countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, which are also investing in new airport construction.
While CRBC has yet to formally confirm the award, the company holds strong links in Kenya already.
In February 2026, Kenyan President William Ruto visited the construction site of the Talanta Sports City Project in Nairobi, which is being undertaken by the company.
Talanta Sports City is a 60,000-seat professional football stadium fully compliant with FIFA standards and will serve as the core venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
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Kenya to expand air transport capacity (Image source: Adobe Stock)
