ZIMBABWEAN businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s company IMC Construction Kenya is part of a consortium awarded a US$2.9 billion contract to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs.
The consortium is led by Chinese state-owned China Communications Construction Company and its subsidiary China Road and Bridge Corporation, according to reports by ZimLive.
Two sources familiar with the deal told ZimLive that IMC Construction Kenya is a joint venture partner in the winning consortium.
The expansion project includes a new passenger terminal to handle an additional 15 million travellers annually and a new runway to boost aircraft movements from 14 to 63 per hour, according to February specifications from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Construction is targeted for completion in 2029.
JKIA currently handles nearly 8.8 million passengers annually, exceeding its design capacity of eight million.
The project was previously awarded to India’s Adani Group in 2024 for US$1.85 billion but was cancelled following labour union opposition and concerns linked to a US corruption investigation. It was re-advertised earlier in 2026.
Kenya will contribute US$1.3 billion toward the project. The balance is expected from local and Chinese financial institutions.
The award extends Chivayo’s regional footprint. ZimLive reports that companies linked to him have secured nearly US$1 billion in contracts in Zimbabwe, including a US$173 million solar project in Gwanda, a US$163 million power station rehabilitation at Munyati, and a US$131 million hydroelectric project at Gairezi.
The publication also stated that IMC Construction is involved in building two five-star hotels in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro regions at a reported cost of US$200 million.
The airport expansion reflects continued investment in African aviation infrastructure to meet growing passenger demand and improve regional connectivity.
