Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo's construction company has secured a stake in a major US$2.9 billion expansion project at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), according to ZimLive.

The deal marks one of the largest regional infrastructure projects involving a Zimbabwean-owned company and further expands Chivayo's growing business interests across Africa.

According to ZimLive, state-owned Chinese infrastructure giant China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) partnered its subsidiary China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and IMC Construction Kenya in a joint venture that won the tender to expand East Africa's busiest airport.

IMC Construction Kenya is wholly owned by Chivayo.

Kenya is expected to contribute US$1.3 billion towards the project, with the remainder financed through local and Chinese banks.

The expansion will add capacity for 15 million passengers annually through the construction of a new terminal, while a new runway scheduled for completion by 2029 is expected to increase airfield capacity from 14 aircraft movements per hour to 63 aircraft movements per hour.

JKIA currently handles nearly 8.8 million passengers annually, already exceeding its original design capacity of eight million passengers.

The tender was initially awarded to India's Adani Group in 2024 for an estimated US$1.85 billion, but was later cancelled following opposition from Kenyan labour unions and concerns linked to a United States corruption investigation involving the company.

The project was subsequently re-advertised earlier this year before being awarded to the CCCC-led consortium following a competitive bidding process.

The airport expansion significantly strengthens Chivayo's regional footprint.

In Zimbabwe, companies linked to the businessman have secured contracts valued at close to US$1 billion, including the US$173 million Gwanda Solar Project, a US$163 million contract to refurbish Munyati Power Station, and a US$131 million contract for the 30MW Gairezi Hydropower Project.

Beyond Zimbabwe, IMC Construction is also involved in the construction of two five-star hotels in Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro regions in projects reportedly valued at US$200 million.

A close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chivayo has built business and political networks across the continent and has been pictured alongside several African leaders, including the presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa.

The businessman has also gained prominence through philanthropy, donating vehicles and substantial sums of money to churches, football clubs, public figures and individuals.

Recently, he donated a vehicle and US$20 000 to Victor Kazembe, popularly known as "Coach Rambo", after the diver helped retrieve three bodies from a sewer pond in Harare.

Some reports estimate that Chivayo donated more than US$200 million during 2025.

The JKIA expansion comes as African countries intensify efforts to expand aviation infrastructure amid growing passenger numbers and increased regional competition.

Rwanda is developing the new Bugesera International Airport with a planned capacity of 14 million passengers annually, while Tanzania has expanded capacity at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to eight million passengers per year.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia broke ground in January on a new airport in Bishoftu designed to handle 110 million passengers annually, making it one of the largest aviation infrastructure projects on the continent.

The JKIA project is expected to strengthen Kenya's position as a leading aviation hub while enhancing the profile of firms participating in one of East Africa's most significant infrastructure developments.