The National Development Board of Rwanda stated on Twitter on December 9 that Qatar Airways had agreed to invest $ 1.3 billion in Rwanda's Bugesera International Airport and buy a 60% stake in Bugesera International Airport.

The commission said that cooperation with Qatar includes three agreements to build, own and operate the airport. The airport is located near the town of Bugesera, about 25 kilometers south of the capital Kigali. Currently under construction.

The agreement replaces an earlier agreement with contractor Mota Engil, under which the Portuguese company holds a 75% stake in the project and will operate for 25 years after completion of the airport. Construction began in 2017. Construction of the airport slowed towards the end of 2018 after the government announced its desire to "improve design and quality, and even scale up."

Artistic impressions of the proposed Bugesera International Airport

Rwandan Infrastructure Minister Claver Gate said the government had “expanded its ambitions” and wanted to build a larger airport with “multiple sustainable development elements” and the ability to serve as a regional hub.

The first phase of construction is expected to last for five years, and now an airport capable of accommodating 7 million passengers will be provided instead of the 4.5 million originally planned, at a cost of approximately $ 820 million. The second phase is planned to be completed in 2032 and will double to 14 million by then.

The Rwandan government bought out shares of Mota Engil earlier in 2019. Mota Engil remains a contractor and work on the plan has never stopped completely, and discussions with the contractor are ongoing to fully resume construction.

When completed, Bugesera Airport will be Rwanda's eighth and third international airport. Editor / Huang Lijun