Kenya Airports Authority Opens Tender for Terminal Expansion at JKIA

The future of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is officially back on the table. Following the high-profile cancellation of the Adani Group deal late last year, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has formally issued a tender for the massive expansion and modernization of East Africa’s busiest hub.

Issued on March 3, 2026, this tender signals a move toward a more transparent, phased development strategy aimed at ending the capacity strain that has plagued the airport for years.

What’s in the Plan?

The scope of this project is ambitious, designed not just to fix current issues but to future-proof the airport for the next two decades. Key components of the tender include:

• A New Passenger Terminal: Expected to add a capacity of 10 million additional passengers annually.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Extensive work on taxiways, aprons, runways, and air traffic control systems.
• Scalability: Provisions for future expansions to ensure the airport can keep pace with regional growth.

Why Now? The Data Behind the Move

The decision follows a comprehensive Integrated Master Plan and Feasibility Study concluded in February 2026. The numbers make a compelling case for urgent action:

Passenger traffic at JKIA is projected to skyrocket from 8.93 million in 2025 to a staggering 22.31 million by 2045—an annual growth rate of 4.6%.

Moving Past the Adani Controversy

This new procurement process follows the November 2024 directive by President William Ruto to scrap the previous $2 billion deal with India’s Adani Group. That deal, which would have granted the group a 30-year lease in exchange for a second runway and terminal upgrades, was halted following the indictment of Gautam Adani in the United States.

By floating this new tender, the KAA is inviting a fresh set of eyes—and potentially a more diverse group of investors—to the table.

Key Dates for Bidders

For international and local firms looking to participate in this landmark project, the clock is ticking:

• Tender Issued: March 3, 2026
• Bids Due: April 23, 2026

What do you think? Is a phased, open tender the right move to finally modernize JKIA, or will the timeline be too tight for such a massive undertaking?