Rwanda’s new $2 Billion airport aims to be Africa’s aviation hub

A sprawling expanse of land situated in the Bugesera District, approximately 40 kilometres to the south of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is currently abuzz with bustling activity. Heavy machinery and construction personnel are diligently engaged in erecting an airport with an estimated cost of $2 billion, poised to become a source of immense pride for the African aviation sector.

Projected for completion by 2026, this architectural marvel will boast a sprawling 130,000-square-meter main terminal, poised to embrace and enchant 8 million travellers annually. As the years unfold, this number is poised to ascend, with projections soaring beyond 14 million passengers. The grandeur extends to a dedicated cargo terminal, primed to handle a staggering 150,000 tons of cargo each year.

An audacious leap beyond its predecessor, the esteemed Kigali International Airport, which retains its role for special arrivals, charters, and pilot training. Once a gateway to nearly a million passengers each year, the existing airport’s spatial constraints compelled this ambitious evolution.

Jules Ndenga, the CEO of Aviation Travel and Logistics Holding, the Rwandan government’s guiding force, finds himself captivated by the unfolding spectacle. “It’s akin to witnessing a dream solidify before one’s very eyes,” he muses. “The impact and magnitude of this project upon the populace are truly awe-inspiring.”

Unveiling a visionary partnership, Qatar Airways assumes an influential 60% stake in this endeavour. This Middle Eastern behemoth, further acquiring 49% of Rwandair shares, ushers in an era of connectivity, granting access to a sprawling network of over 65 global destinations.

This is not a mere infrastructure endeavour; it’s a manifestation of a grand aspiration. Rwanda, ensconced in the heart of Africa, harbours a vision of ascending to the continent’s pinnacle of air travel. Ndenga’s words resonate, “Our core aim is to weave Rwanda into the very fabric of an African aviation hub. A nexus where not only tourism thrives, but where business and diverse industries converge and flourish.”

Yet this audacity doesn’t confine itself to national boundaries. The imminent arrival of this new airport promises to bridge the chasm of fragmented routes that have long hindered seamless inter-African travel. A fractured network, often forcing passengers on cumbersome detours through Europe or the Middle East, is soon to make way for a harmonious aerial tapestry.

The hurdles are considerable, but so is the potential. Unlocking Africa’s untapped aviation prowess hinges on overcoming its connectivity conundrum. For RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo, this presents the “pinnacle challenge.”

Across Africa’s vast expanse, navigating the skies is anything but straightforward. “Unpredictable” and “costly” define intra-continental journeys. Makolo elucidates, “Operating within Africa is fraught with challenges. Costs, from airport fees to ground handling, soar to unprecedented heights. Often 50% higher than in Europe or the Middle East, these expenses inflate ticket prices, rendering certain routes economically unfeasible.”

Amidst this labyrinth of challenges, a beacon of hope emerges – the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Pioneered in 2018, this transformative policy envisions a unified market for African aviation, a gateway to an unhindered movement for people, goods, and services, weaving together the aspirations and fortunes of an entire continent.

In Rwanda’s resolute endeavour, a new chapter in African aviation unfolds, daring to surpass limitations and ascend to uncharted heights. A story of ambition, unity, and promise takes flight, painting a new dawn across African skies.