Construction of the airport began in 2017, spearheaded by the Government of Rwanda.
A few years later, Qatar Airways joined the venture, bringing in additional investment and expertise that led to an expansion of the original design.
Today, the project stands as one of Rwanda's most strategic infrastructure investments, aligned with its broader National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) to boost economic growth and global connectivity.
According to Jules Ndenga, CEO of Rwanda Aviation Travel and Logistics, foundational work such as the runway, internal roads, and water drainage systems was completed by the end of 2024. The focus has now shifted to constructing the airport's main buildings.
'We've moved into the vertical phase,' he explained. 'The groundwork is finishedâ€"the runways, roadways and drainage systems are done. What remains is building upward, and we're currently laying the foundations.'
'The final phase, which will complete the airport, began nearly a year ago. We are currently at the stage of excavating the building's foundation,' he added.
Although different parts of the project fall under separate contracts, overall construction progress is being tracked as a whole.
When all the completed work is taken together, the project stands at roughly a quarter of completion.
'The combined works so far account for about 25 to 30 percent of the entire project,' Ndenga said.
The airport is being built by a joint venture of three companies: Mota-Engil from Portugal, which initiated the first phase of construction; UCC Holding from Qatar; and CCC (Consolidated Contractors Company) from Greece.
Together, they formed a unified entity called UMC, which signed the official contract with the Government of Rwanda.
According to Ndenga, this setup ensures streamlined coordination. However, these companies are free to subcontract certain works to local firms, which may supply concrete or handle internal road construction.
Despite the solid progress, Ndenga acknowledged that certain external challenges could impact the timeline.
Global economic instability, rising construction costs, and supply chain disruptions remain real concerns.
He pointed to the post-COVID period as an example, when global demand for goods surged and transportation logistics became severely strained.
Unpredictable weather is another factor. Rwanda typically schedules major construction during the dry season, but unexpected rainfall can delay critical phases of work.
'You might plan to expedite construction during the dry season, only to be caught off-guard by sudden rain. These are the kinds of challenges that can't always be controlled,' he noted. 'Fortunately, on the technical side, Rwanda has strong experience in construction.'
The project has also begun delivering on its promise of job creation. The ground work employed around 2,000 workers, and the vertical phase is expected to add another 4,000, bringing the total to over 6,000 jobs.
While many of these are formal, contracted positions, the ripple effects are being felt more broadly.
Small businesses and service providers in nearby areas like Nyabagendwa and Nyamata are seeing increased demand as workers spend their wages locallyâ€"eating at restaurants, shopping, and using local services.
'Job creation includes both direct and indirect employment,' said Ndenga. 'Even if we can show you contracts for 2,000 workers, more locals benefit from the economic activity this project generates.'
Looking ahead, the first phase of Bugesera International Airport will have the capacity to handle 7 million passengers per year once completed in 2027.
The second phase, expected by 2032, will expand that capacity to 14 million passengers annually. The airport is set to become a key hub for the region, with Qatar Airways holding a 60% stake in the infrastructure.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/bugesera-international-airport-construction-takes-shape
