Zimbabwe’s Wicknell Chivayo scores big with $2.9 billion Kenya Airport contract

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s company, IMC Construction Kenya, has emerged as a joint venture partner in a $2.9 billion project to expand Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), marking one of the largest infrastructure deals in East Africa.

The project will be led by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), one of the world’s largest state-owned construction conglomerates, through its subsidiary China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). IMC Construction Kenya, wholly owned by Chivayo, forms part of the winning consortium.

The deal sheds light on Chivayo’s growing presence in Kenya and his close relationship with Kenyan President William Ruto. Over recent years, Chivayo has become a familiar figure at Kenya’s State House, frequently meeting with senior government officials.

Kenya is expected to contribute approximately $1.3 billion towards the project, with the balance financed through local and Chinese banking institutions. To support the development, the Kenyan government established a National Infrastructure Fund, funded through proceeds generated from the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company.

The airport expansion is expected to significantly increase capacity at JKIA, East Africa’s busiest aviation hub. Plans include the construction of a new passenger terminal capable of handling an additional 15 million travellers annually.

A new runway, scheduled for completion by 2029, will boost airport operations from the current 14 aircraft movements per hour to 63. JKIA currently serves nearly 8.8 million passengers each year, exceeding its original design capacity of eight million.

The tender was initially awarded to India’s Adani Group in 2024 for an estimated $1.85 billion. However, the contract was later cancelled following objections from Kenyan labour unions and concerns arising from a corruption investigation in the United States involving the company. The project was subsequently re-advertised and awarded to the CCCC-led consortium after a competitive bidding process.

For Chivayo, the project represents another major milestone in his rapidly expanding business empire. His companies have secured contracts worth close to $1 billion in Zimbabwe, including major energy projects such as the Gwanda Solar Power Plant, the rehabilitation of Munyati Power Station and the Gairezi Hydropower Project.

Beyond Zimbabwe, IMC Construction is also involved in the development of two luxury five-star hotels in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro regions, reportedly valued at around $200 million.

A close ally of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chivayo has built relationships with several African leaders and has increasingly positioned himself as a significant player in regional infrastructure development.

The JKIA expansion comes as African nations intensify efforts to modernise aviation infrastructure. Rwanda is developing the new Bugesera International Airport, while Tanzania continues expanding facilities at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Ethiopia has also begun construction of a massive new airport at Bishoftu, designed to accommodate up to 110 million passengers annually.

The Kenyan airport project is expected to strengthen the country's position as a regional aviation hub while providing a major boost to trade, tourism and economic growth across East Africa.