Kenya signs $1.2 billion deal with Chinese firm to expand Nairobi airport

Nairobi. Kenya's government has signed a ‌154.2 billion Kenyan shilling ($1.2 billion) agreement with China Road and Bridge Corporation to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Transport Minister Davis ​Chirchir said on Tuesday. The East African nation ​plans to nearly triple the annual passenger ⁠capacity at the Nairobi airport to 22 ​million people from 7.5 million. The project was previously ​halted last year after Kenya cancelled a 2024 agreement with India's Adani Group following the indictment of its founder ​in the United States. "The project scope includes ​the construction of a new terminal building and associated support ‌facilities, ⁠the modernization and upgrading of existing infrastructure, the improvement of airside and landside operations," Chirchir said on his X account. Kenya is aiming to maintain ​its role as ​a regional ⁠aviation hub as countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda invest heavily in ​new airport construction to attract airlines ​and ⁠travellers. Last week, Chirchir said the government had appointed Africa's Trade and Development Bank and the Africa Finance ⁠Corporation ​to arrange financing for the project.