Africa's brand new two-runway airport will be country's biggest and cost £1.5bn

A major new £1.5billion airport in Africa will become the largest in one country, soon carrying up to 14million passengers a year. Bugesera International Airport is being constructed in Rwanda, with the first phase expected to be completed between 2027 and 2028.

The first phase will see the construction of a 3,750m runway, a 130,000 square metre terminal and cargo facilities, with 8 million passengers set to travel through every year. However, soon after the initial construction is complete, infrastructure will be expanded and a second runway built, which will cater for a staggering 14million travellers per annum by 2032.

Estimates suggest the site will cost around £1.5 billion ($2 billion) to build. The new airport is set to be pivotal for the entire African continent, with the site attracting foreign investment.

Bugesera International Airport is being built with the support of the Qatar Government, with Qatar Airways set to build, own, and operate the brand new state-of-the-art facility upon completion. Initial construction of the new Rwandan airport began as far back as 2017, with the airport initially expected to be completed by 2019.

The site was redesigned in 2020 to expand planned capacity, with building work ongoing since. Last year, Rwanda officials approved an additional £367,000 ($499 million) finance package to help accelerate the construction process and strengthen aviation links.

It is expected that the site will finally be completed and operational within two years. Located just under 17 miles south of the Rwandan capital Kigali, the new airport will serve as a regional hub.

The new site is also expected to take the sting out of the over-capacity Kigali International Airport (KGL). It's not just about passenger numbers, with Bugesera International Airport also set to enjoy a dedicated cargo terminal.

Early estimates suggest this terminal could accommodate a whopping 150,000 tonnes of cargo per year. The new airport could help Rwanda become the latest hub for international sports events.

Rwanda has ambitions to host a Formula One Grand Prix, the first on the continent since 1993. It is understood that the new Rwanda circuit would be constructed close to the planned Bugesera site, meaning the new airport could get its moment on the world stage sooner rather than later.