This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
On December 9, 2019, Qatar Airways announced its plans to invest in Rwanda's new international airport, a project valued at $1.3 billion.
The airport, located in the Bugesera district, about 25 km south east of Kigali, will have a capacity to serve 7 million passengers annually in its first phase, with plans to double that number to 14 million by 2032.
According to Rwanda's infrastructure minister, Claver Gatete, the investment from Qatar Airways will enable the construction of a larger airport, which was not possible with the initial plans drawn up in 2017 for a smaller facility with a maximum capacity of 4.5 million passengers annually.
Qatar Airways declined to comment on the matter, citing outside of normal business hours.
The new airport is a significant development for Rwanda, which has been investing heavily in its infrastructure to boost tourism and trade.
