East Africa is making bold moves to expand its aviation infrastructure as part of a larger push to drive trade, boost regional integration, and strengthen economic resilience.

Leading the charge are Rwanda and Uganda, each pouring hundreds of millions into transforming their main airports into modern hubs equipped to handle rising cargo volumes and passenger traffic.

Rwanda’s flagship project is the $2 billion Bugesera International Airport, a major development located around 40 km south of Kigali.

Designed to ease the pressure on the already stretched Kigali International Airport, Bugesera is central to Rwanda’s Vision 2050, the country’s long-term roadmap for economic transformation.

It’s being developed in partnership with Qatar Airways, which holds a 60% stake in the project.

The partnership brings both capital and credibility, positioning Rwanda as an increasingly attractive destination for global investment.

The airport is expected to meet international operational standards and strengthen Rwanda’s ties with the Middle East and beyond. Construction is taking place in phases.

The first phase, set for completion in 2026, will include a single runway, a passenger terminal, and a dedicated cargo terminal capable of handling up to 150,000 tonnes of freight annually.

This cargo facility is particularly important for Rwanda’s export sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, and manufacturing, by offering direct access to international markets.

A second phase, projected for completion by 2032, will expand the airport further with a second runway, a larger passenger terminal, and enhanced cargo handling capabilities.

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Once operational, Bugesera is expected to drive up trade volumes, grow tourism, and attract more foreign direct investment.

It will also relieve the strain on the current airport infrastructure as Rwanda pushes to position itself as a competitive logistics and aviation hub in Africa and beyond.

But while the economic upside is clear, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Rwanda to proceed with caution.

In ongoing discussions with Rwandan authorities, the IMF flagged concerns about growing public debt and emphasized the need for careful financial planning to ensure that large-scale infrastructure projects don’t compromise the country’s fiscal stability.

In a similar stride, Uganda is undertaking a $552.9 million expansion of Entebbe International Airport, about 40 km southwest of Kampala.

The upgrade is being financed through concessional loans from the Export-Import Bank of China and aims to modernize both cargo and passenger handling capacity to meet international standards.

A central part of Uganda’s airport expansion is the development of a new cargo terminal with the capacity to handle up to 100,000 tonnes of freight per year, a dramatic increase from the current 6,000 to 10,000 tonnes.

The facility will include advanced systems such as temperature-controlled storage, secure warehousing, and automated cargo handling technology.

These upgrades are critical for Uganda’s export-heavy industries, including fresh produce, fish, coffee, flowers, and pharmaceuticals, all of which rely on speed and precision to maintain quality and meet international market demands.

Beyond the cargo terminal, the broader project also includes a new passenger terminal, runway upgrades, and improved landside and airside infrastructure to support smoother operations.

Though the entire expansion is being implemented in phases and won’t be fully completed until 2033, progress is designed to be gradual so that airport operations continue uninterrupted.

Once complete, Entebbe will meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and be better positioned to serve as a vital link in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) logistics network.

By investing in large-scale aviation infrastructure, both Rwanda and Uganda are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth and deeper regional and global trade integration.

These ambitious airport projects signal East Africa’s rising ambitions, not just to move people and goods more efficiently, but to compete at a higher level in the global economy.

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