On June 11, 2026, Kenya has selected China Communications Construction Corporation to implement the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upgrade project, with a reported amount of approximately 2.9 billion US dollars, scheduled to start in June.

However, as of June 12, 2026, the official award announcement, signed contracts, or commencement notice have not yet been published on the public page of the Kenyan Ministry of Roads and Transport. For Chinese engineering contracting, airport equipment, electromechanical, weak current, and material companies, what is more noteworthy than the winning bid news is the triple test hidden behind this contract: the cancellation of the new second runway, a significant delay in payment milestones, and a 40% local investment requirement.

The blueprint for upgrading an East African aviation hub is currently emerging alongside a 45% final payment risk.

Airport demand exceeds design capacity by 19%

According to the data released by the Kenyan Ministry of Roads and Transport, the designed annual passenger handling capacity of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 7.5 million, and the actual passenger volume in 2025 is about 8.93 million, exceeding the design capacity by about 19%. By 2045, it is expected that the passenger volume will increase to 22.31 million, and the air cargo volume is expected to increase from 407200 tons to 860400 tons.

The new passenger terminal for this bidding will add an annual processing capacity of approximately 10 million passengers in the first phase. The expansion demand is supported by passenger and freight growth, and subsequent procurement is expected to cover airport civil engineering, passenger handling, security, luggage, fire protection, electromechanical and information systems.

The new runway has been excluded, and the construction period is divided into two lines

The official bidding scope is divided into three parts: upgrading of existing runways and flight areas, renovation of existing terminals, and construction of new terminals and related facilities. The fifth clarification document issued by the Kenyan Ministry of Roads and Transport on April 30, 2026, clarifies that the construction of a new second runway is not within the scope of this tender and requires separate design, financing, and procurement, with a target date of 2029.

According to the procurement documents, the upgrade of the existing airfield and the renovation of the existing terminal building have a construction period of 457 days; The construction period for the new terminal and related facilities is 1095 days; The defect notification period is 730 days. Each component needs to be pushed forward in parallel, and the airport will continue to operate during the construction period. The runway, taxiway, and luggage system can only be constructed in zones and on time.

45% final payment and 40% local investment

The payment node in the bidding documents shows that the advance payment is 10% of the contract amount, and the contractor must submit an unconditional bank guarantee of the same amount; 20% to be paid after 50% completion of the project or 18 months of commencement; 25% to be paid after obtaining the acceptance certificate; The final 45% must be paid after the defect notification period ends and the performance certificate is obtained. Converted at 2.9 billion US dollars, the final 45% is approximately 1.305 billion US dollars.

In addition, foreign bidders must demonstrate that at least 40% of the local input consists of Kenyan local labor, subcontractors, materials, equipment, etc. The cumulative subcontracting ratio of the contract shall not exceed 20% in principle and must be approved by the owner. Two indicators are calculated separately, and strict requirements are put forward for the supply chain structure. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, airport infrastructure

The total scale of the project is approximately 2.9 billion US dollars, and the final contract amount will be based on the official winning bid price. Chinese equipment suppliers and subcontractors need to confirm the payment subject, measurement certificate, settlement currency, and overdue payment terms in advance, and simultaneously prepare Kenyan partners, local certification, after-sales personnel, and bank credit. Whether the project can safely receive payment depends on the formal implementation of the award procedure, timely financing, and close coordination of all aspects of the subcontracting contract. The project will also become an important case of practical cooperation in infrastructure between China and countries along the the Belt and Road.Editor/Gao Xue