Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has secured a role in one of Africa's largest infrastructure projects after his company joined a consortium awarded the $2.9 billion expansion of Kenya's busiest airport.
Image: Supplied.
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has secured a significant foothold in East Africa's infrastructure sector after his company, IMC Construction Kenya, was named part of a consortium awarded a $2.9 billion tender to expand Kenya's flagship aviation hub, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The project, one of the largest airport infrastructure investments currently underway on the continent, is expected to transform Nairobi's position as a regional aviation gateway while highlighting Chivayo's growing influence in major infrastructure developments across Africa.
According to reports from ZimLive, IMC Construction Kenya has partnered with state owned Chinese construction giant China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and its subsidiary, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), in the winning consortium.
The tender was awarded following a competitive bidding process after an earlier deal with India's Adani Group was cancelled in 2024 amid opposition from Kenyan labour unions and concerns linked to a United States corruption investigation involving the company.
The airport expansion is expected to significantly increase passenger handling capacity at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which currently serves approximately 8.8 million passengers annually, exceeding its original design capacity of eight million.
Plans include the construction of a new terminal capable of accommodating an additional 15 million passengers a year. A new runway, targeted for completion by 2029, is expected to increase airfield capacity from 14 aircraft movements per hour to 63.
Kenya will contribute approximately $1.3 billion towards the project, with the remaining funding expected to come from local and Chinese financial institutions.
To support the development, the Kenyan government established the National Infrastructure Fund, capitalised through proceeds from the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company.
The deal offers insight into Chivayo's increasingly visible presence in Kenya and his close relationship with Kenyan President William Ruto.
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo with Kenyan President William Ruto.
Image: Supplied.
Over the past year, the businessman has become a regular visitor to Nairobi and has frequently been photographed alongside the Kenyan leader.
The airport project represents another major addition to Chivayo's expanding infrastructure portfolio.
Through various companies, he has secured contracts worth close to $1 billion in Zimbabwe, including a $173 million solar power plant in Gwanda, a $163 million project to refurbish the Munyati Power Station and a $131 million hydroelectric development at Gairezi.
Beyond Zimbabwe, IMC Construction is also involved in the development of two luxury five star hotels in Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro regions, projects reportedly valued at around $200 million.
A close ally of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chivayo has built a network of political and business relationships across the continent.
He has been linked to senior leaders in several African countries, including Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.
While his business success has attracted attention, Chivayo remains one of Zimbabwe's most polarising public figures.
Supporters frequently point to his philanthropic activities, which have seen him donate vehicles and significant sums of money to churches, politicians, sports clubs, entertainers and community members.
Recent reports suggested that Chivayo distributed more than $200 million during 2025 through various charitable initiatives.
Among the most publicised donations was a vehicle and $20,000 cash gift awarded to a Harare resident who used basic equipment to rescue three drowning victims from a sewer pond.
The Kenyan airport development comes at a time when East Africa is witnessing an intense race to expand aviation infrastructure and attract growing passenger traffic.
Rwanda is progressing with the construction of the new Bugesera International Airport, which is expected to eventually handle 14 million passengers annually.
Tanzania has expanded capacity at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to eight million passengers a year, while Ethiopia began work earlier this year on a new airport at Bishoftu designed to accommodate up to 110 million passengers annually.
Against this backdrop, the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is seen as critical to maintaining Kenya's competitiveness as a regional transport and logistics hub.
For Chivayo, the successful bid represents not only a significant commercial achievement but also a major step in positioning his businesses as participants in some of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure projects.
As construction preparations get underway, industry observers will be watching closely to see how the consortium delivers on one of the continent's most high profile aviation developments.
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