Transport-a-logistics - Transport a logistics

China’s CRBC lands Kenya airport expansion deal

Kenya to expand air transport capacity (Image source: Adobe Stock)

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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Suez Canal welcomes advanced LNG container ship

Advanced LNG Vessel makes Suez Canal debut. (Image source: Suez Canal Authority)

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced the successful transit of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, a giant French container ship and one of the world’s largest LNG-powered vessels, during its maiden passage through the Canal

The vessel travelled as part of the southern convoy while operating a route from Singapore to France.

Owned by French shipping company CMA CGM, the vessel measures 399.9 metres in length, has a 61.3-metre beam, a 16.5-metre draft, weighs 245,000 tonnes, and can accommodate 24,212 TEUs.

Powered by LNG and equipped with advanced AI technology, CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is considered France’s most technologically advanced vessel. The ship is designed for long-distance voyages and operates under the FAL3 maritime service connecting the Far East and North-West Europe.

SCA Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee directed teams to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through the deployment of senior pilots and escort tugboats. Following SCA protocol, senior pilots welcomed the crew and presented a commemorative gift to the shipmaster.

Adm. Rabiee highlighted the Canal’s readiness to handle the world’s largest container vessels, citing its strategic importance in protecting global supply chains and delivering economic efficiencies. He added that the SCA continues to enhance maritime services and introduce new navigation solutions to meet client requirements and maintain the highest safety standards for mega vessels.

Uganda’s Arua airport set for huge upgrade

Arua-airport-control-tower-sky-jet-plane-landing-palm-trees

Arua Airport set for transformation. (Image source: AfDB)

Uganda has secured funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to upgrade Arua airport into an international-standard facility

The work will take place under Phase 1 of the Uganda Airports Development Programme and follows the approval of a €156mn (approx. US$178mn) loan facility.

Located roughly 450 km from the capital Kampala, Arua is a strategic gateway to Uganda’s West Nile region, and neighbouring markets in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

However, limited domestic and international air-travel facilities within the region have hindered its growth.

Uganda hopes the airport upgrade will transform regional air transport and unlock new economic opportunities in the area.

Fred Bamwesigye, director general of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, called the airport a “significant development for Uganda, which will strengthen aviation infrastructure and regional connectivity, and is expected to stimulate social and economic transformation for the region.”

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority will also implement the project.

“Arua Airport is currently the second busiest in the country after Entebbe International Airport and has immense growth potential,” said Bamwesigye.

“The airport will also serve as an alternative to Entebbe International Airport during emergencies.”

The project will involve the construction of a 3.5 km paved runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 777; new taxiways and aprons; a passenger terminal with capacity for 700,000 travellers annually, and a cargo terminal designed to handle 25,000 tonnes per annum.

The airport will also have a new control tower, access roads, car parking and modern safety systems.

The work is expected to create 500 direct jobs during construction and more than 1,400 indirect jobs in tourism, agriculture and trade.

Arua, the regional capital of northwestern Uganda, is a region endowed with mineral wealth and has strong potential in agriculture, tourism, culture, trade, regional integration and logistics.

Improved air access will help farmers and businesses move perishable goods to regional and international markets more quickly and at a lower cost. The airport will also improve access to major tourist attractions in the region.

“This project is about more than an airport. It is about connecting people to opportunity, opening new markets for businesses, supporting tourism and strengthening Uganda’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub,” said Mike Salawou, director of AfDB’s infrastructure and urban development department.

The Ugandan government is also providing a small amount of funding for the scheme, worth under €2mn (approx. US$2.28mn).

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Gabon launches Kobe-Kobe Port construction project

Gabon begins Kobe-Kobe deep-water port development to boost mining exports. (Image source: Présidence de la République Gabonaise)

Gabon’s president and head of state, Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, has officially launched construction works for the Kobe-Kobe deep-water port in Nyonie, located in the Komo-Ocean department

The inauguration ceremony marked a significant milestone for the country’s infrastructure development agenda and brought together government officials, administrative authorities, legislative representatives, traditional leaders, and members of the diplomatic community accredited to Gabon.

The deep-water mineral port project follows a tripartite agreement signed on 23 April 2026 between the Gabonese State, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), and the Algest Investment Bank group. With the commencement of construction, the project has moved into its implementation phase.

Located along the Atlantic coast in the Estuary province, the large-scale development will cover approximately 500 hectares. The project includes a mineral port with four berths, a 535 km mineral railway line, the 400 MW Booué hydroelectric dam, and infrastructure supporting the Belinga iron mine, which is expected to reach a production capacity of 100 million tonnes of iron annually.

The integrated infrastructure network will provide a connection between mining production areas, railway facilities, and the port platform, enabling the transport and export of processed mineral products to international markets.

The Kobe-Kobe project reflects Gabon’s broader ambition to develop, process, and maximise the value of its natural resources at a regional level. It aligns with the Head of State’s vision of creating strategic infrastructure that supports resource extraction, industrial processing, and exports while promoting economic transformation, employment creation, territorial development, and greater industrial sovereignty.

Through the development of these interconnected infrastructures, the project is expected to generate more than 9,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs by 2030.

The initiative has attracted investment and expertise from partners across multiple regions, bringing together companies involved in infrastructure, rail development, energy, mining, and mineral marketing. Key partners include AGL for infrastructure, China Railway for railway development, EDF Synohydro for energy infrastructure, Tragigura for international marketing of minerals and processed products, and Fortescue for mining and industrial expertise.

The project further reinforces Gabon’s position as an attractive investment destination supported by strong institutions, political stability, and openness to international partnerships.

The development of these strategic projects represents the implementation of the Head of State’s vision for Gabon’s economic and industrial transformation, with the objective of creating value, generating employment, strengthening competitiveness, and positioning the country as a centre of excellence in Central Africa and beyond.

Spiro gets funding boost for African expansion

Mechanics-blue-vests-working-Spiro-motorcycles

Spiro keen to expand growing industrial footprint (Image source: Spiro)

Spiro has announced a US$215mn investment to accelerate the deployment of its electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa

Building on the support of long-standing institutional partners such as FEDA, its latest equity round draws capital from Europe and Africa, with investors such as Impact Fund Denmark and Equitane.

In a statement, Spiro said it confirmed growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models in Africa and other emerging markets.

The company added that it is looking to execute its next chapter of pan-African expansion.

“This investment will support the expansion of Spiro’s battery-swapping network, strengthen its industrial and assembly footprint, accelerate technology development and support the company’s entry into new high-growth African markets,” it noted.

With operations across seven African markets — Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon — it now looking to further expand local production and enter new territories, including Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“This past year marked a defining strategic milestone for Spiro,” said Gagan Gupta, founder of Spiro and chairman of Equitane, an investment platform committed to African long-term growth.

“Across seven active markets, our deployment of 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations has turned sustainable mobility into an affordable, everyday reality.”

Gupta also noted that Spiro has become a major driver of local industrialisation, value creation and manufacturing across African markets with 6,000 sustainable direct and indirect jobs.

Its industrial footprint includes manufacturing plants in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, alongside a state-of-the-art battery recycling facility in Nigeria.

“Supported by our global pool of investors, we are entering our next growth chapter to deliver clean, cost-effective energy and transport alternatives to millions of riders across the continent.”

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