The Kenyan government has awarded a $1.2 billion contract to Chinese state-owned construction giant China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to modernize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s busiest aviation hub.

The agreement was signed in Nairobi on June 23 by the Kenyan Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika and CRBC General Manager Yu Xiaodong.

The contract will include the construction of a new terminal building, upgrades to existing infrastructure and improvements to both airside and landside operations.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir reported that the procurement followed the completion of the JKIA Master Plan in February.

More than 40 companies attended a pre-bid conference in April, with bids assessed on both technical and financial criteria. The contract was awarded under a design-and-build model after the government scrapped an earlier proposal involving India’s Adani Group.

“As a Ministry, we remain firmly committed to transparency, accountability and strict adherence to all required standards as we deliver world-class aviation infrastructure that will position JKIA as a premier gateway to Africa and drive Kenya’s economic growth and competitiveness,” Chirchir said.

Kenya’s government has previously said that JKIA is operating beyond its intended capacity. JKIA handled roughly 9 million passengers in 2025, exceeding its original design capacity of 7.5 million passengers annually. Passenger traffic is projected to surpass 22 million by 2045, highlighting the need for major infrastructure upgrades to accommodate future demand.