• Kenya accelerates airport infrastructure to expand freight capacity and exports

• Major projects underway at JKIA, Moi, and Eldoret to support trade growth

• Focus on agricultural exports amid rising regional competition

Amid growing competition from Rwanda and Tanzania, both aiming to become key regional hubs for agricultural exports, Kenya is stepping up its strategy. The country is betting on airport infrastructure development to strengthen its logistics chain and secure a larger share of regional air freight.

To reinforce its role in international trade, Kenya is accelerating the expansion of its airport network. With demand for air freight rising, the government plans to transform key airports into top-tier logistics hubs in Africa. Priority sites include Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Mombasa’s Moi International Airport, and Eldoret.

Objectives include increasing cargo handling capacity, easing the export of agricultural products, and spurring international trade. At JKIA—Kenya’s main airport and a current logistics hub—fundraising efforts are underway to finance a major infrastructure upgrade, including expanded freight terminals and enhanced cold chain systems.

According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), JKIA’s freight capacity will be raised from the current 350,000 tonnes to one million tonnes annually by 2030. In Mombasa, where passenger terminals were built in 2010, attention has now shifted to improving the aerodrome’s ability to accommodate growing traffic and larger aircraft for long-haul and charter cargo flights.

Eldoret is also seeing expansion. A new runway extension will enable it to handle larger cargo planes. The project includes upgrading cold storage facilities to support agricultural exports—especially horticulture, floriculture, and avocado shipments from the North Rift region. Air freight remains critical to Kenya’s agricultural competitiveness, a sector central to the national economy. Kenya is one of Africa’s top exporters of cut flowers, tropical fruits, and fresh vegetables, with key markets in the EU, Middle East, and Asia.

While still a leading freight player in East Africa, Kenya faces growing competition from Ethiopia, Rwanda, and the UAE—all investing in advanced logistics infrastructure. Modernizing Kenya’s airport systems and improving connectivity could shorten delivery times and reduce post-harvest losses, enabling exporters to meet international quality standards and maintain competitiveness.