Africa-Press. Kenya has selected a major Chinese construction company to carry out a $2.9 billion expansion project for its main international airport, which is the largest in East Africa. This decision comes after the cancellation of a proposed 30-year concession agreement with a company affiliated with billionaire Gautam Adani two years ago.
Kenya has chosen China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) to implement the modernization and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the largest aviation hub in East Africa.
This decision follows the cancellation of a controversial plan by the government that would have granted Adani Airport Holdings a long-term concession to operate and develop the airport.
The proposed Adani deal faced widespread opposition in Kenya during 2024, leading to protests and strikes by workers in the aviation sector.
Under the agreement, the billionaire Gautam Adani’s company would have financed and managed a comprehensive modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including the construction of a second runway and a new passenger terminal.
However, the proposal faced intense scrutiny and criticism from civil society organizations, labor unions, and opposition figures.
The new contract reinforces China’s position as Kenya’s primary partner in infrastructure projects.
CCCC already has a significant presence in Kenya, having participated in several major projects, including the development of railway lines, the construction of a stadium with a capacity of 60,000 spectators, major road projects, and a conference center.
Sources indicate that work on the airport development project is expected to begin this month.
The project will be partially funded by proceeds from privatization, which will be channeled through the newly established National Infrastructure Fund in Kenya, while additional financing will be provided through commercial loans backed by future air passenger service fee revenues.
The Kenya Law Society and the Kenyan Human Rights Commission have stated that the lease agreement violates constitutional provisions and questioned the government’s authority to hand over control of a strategic national asset. Ultimately, increasing public pressure forced the government to cancel the agreement.
The expansion of the airport comes at a time when major economies in East Africa are competing to establish themselves as the primary aviation gateway in the region.
Kenya faces increasing competition from neighboring Ethiopia, which has the largest airline in Africa and is developing a massive new airport worth $12.5 billion near Addis Ababa.
Rwanda is also heavily investing in aviation infrastructure through a new airport project being developed in partnership with Qatar Airways.
For Kenya, modernizing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has become increasingly urgent amid the ongoing growth in passenger traffic and the expansion of capacity among regional competitors.
