Kenya Unveils $2B Master Plan for New Nairobi JKIA Terminal by 2029

The Kenyan government has officially unveiled a comprehensive master plan for a major expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. The project, with an estimated cost of $2 billion, includes the construction of a new passenger terminal and a second runway, with a target completion date of 2029. This initiative is designed to address current capacity constraints and position Kenya as a premier East Africa aviation hub.

The expansion is a direct response to passenger traffic that has already surpassed the airport's design limits. According to a statement by Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace, Terry Mbaika, JKIA handled 8.8 million passengers in 2025, exceeding its current design capacity of 8 million passengers annually. With traffic growing by approximately one million passengers per year, the existing facilities are projected to be insufficient within three years, making the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport expansion a critical national infrastructure project.

Project Scope and Capacity Goals

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the state-owned body managing the nation's airports, outlined the project in its JKIA Integrated Master Plan. The centerpiece is a new passenger terminal to be constructed in two phases. Phase I will add capacity for 10 million passengers, and Phase II will add a further 5 million, bringing the airport's total annual capacity to 15 million passengers upon full completion. The plan also includes rehabilitation of existing terminals to ensure operational continuity during construction.

A key component of the plan is a new runway designed to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Category II standards. This addition is projected to dramatically increase airfield efficiency, boosting aircraft movements from the current rate of 14 per hour to approximately 63 per hour. This will reduce delays and allow for significant growth in flight frequencies and new routes. The entire development process is being guided by a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA) framework to ensure sustainable implementation.

Financing and Regional Context

To finance the $2 billion project, the Kenyan government is pursuing funding from international development lenders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB). This approach marks a shift from a previous, unsuccessful attempt to fund the expansion through a public-private partnership model. The government's direct involvement signals a strategic priority for the JKIA master plan 2029.

The push for increased Nairobi airport capacity comes amid growing competition for regional hub status. Neighboring countries are also investing heavily in their aviation infrastructure. Rwanda is developing its new Bugesera International Airport, which targets an eventual capacity of 14 million passengers annually. Tanzania is also expanding Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Kenya's investment is essential to maintaining its competitive edge in the region.

Official Mandate

The project has strong backing from the highest levels of government. President William Ruto stated, “In 2026, we will begin the construction of a modern, world-class airport at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to anchor our nation as the aviation capital of our region and boost our trade and tourism sectors.” The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has also been consulted as part of the master plan's development process, indicating broad stakeholder engagement.

Why This Matters

This expansion is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it is a strategic move to solidify Kenya's position as a dominant economic and logistics hub in Africa. For airlines, the increased capacity will enable route expansion and improved operational efficiency at Nairobi (NBO). For the wider economy, the project is expected to be a significant driver of growth in tourism, trade, and regional investment, directly addressing the air traffic growth Africa is currently experiencing.

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