Kenya has formally requested the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) to participate in the upcoming bid for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi’s primary aviation hub.
The request was made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a meeting with top BUCG officials on Tuesday, April 22. Mudavadi emphasized the urgent need to modernize JKIA, even as the government continues its search for private investors to support the large-scale infrastructure project.
“Ahead of H.E. President William Ruto’s State Visit, I met with Mr. Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Mr. Harold Huang, General Manager of Marketing, and Mr. Wei Zhang, Vice President for Southeast Africa, to discuss their expertise in airport construction,” said Mudavadi.
“They shared insights from their 42 years of experience building over 30 airport terminals, runways, and specialized aviation facilities worldwide. I encouraged them to submit their expression of interest as Kenya prepares to invite contractors for the upcoming JKIA expansion.”
BUCG’s strong track record in aviation infrastructure, with more than 30 terminals constructed globally, positions it as a strong contender for the proposed development.
The JKIA expansion is expected to include the construction of a brand-new terminal, aimed at enhancing passenger capacity and modernizing services at one of East Africa’s busiest airports.
The Kenyan government has been actively seeking credible investors for the project. Initially, the administration held discussions with India’s Adani Group, but President William Ruto later canceled the engagement following public outcry and international legal issues involving the group’s leadership. Gautam Adani, the company’s chairman, faced fraud charges in the U.S. and was implicated in bribery allegations in India.
The now-scrapped deal with Adani had an estimated project cost exceeding Ksh 200 billion.
As the government resumes its search for partners, the JKIA upgrade remains a central piece of Kenya’s ambition to position Nairobi as a major transportation and logistics hub on the continent.
