Rwanda—East Africa’s fastest-growing economy has paved the way for Qatar Airways—world’s best airline in 2019, to get 60 per cent stake in the new $1.3 billion international airports in Rwanda.
This is according to a Reuters report which says that the information was revealed by state-run development board on Monday 10 December 2019.
The international news outlet says the development board highlighted that the first phase of construction would provide facilities for 7 million passengers a year in the Bugesera district, about 25 km southeast of the nation’s capital Kigali.
Further, the second phase, which is expected to be completed by 2032, would double capacity to 14 million passengers a year.
Rwanda has been an active economic performer in the region, whereby—the African Development Bank report shows that the real GDP growth in Rwanda reached 6.1 per cent in 2017 and was estimated at 7.2 per cent in 2018 backed up by the services and manufacturing sector respectively.
The new aviation developments mean that the landlocked country is getting serious in realizing its development vision (Vision 2020), to enhance its national carrier, airport infrastructure, and capacity building to harness overseas markets, secure access for business investors and professionals, as well as attract decent-well paying jobs.
On the same note, Rwanda’s infrastructure Minister Claver Gatete was noted by Reuters, commenting that, the construction company to build the airport is still sought to and the activity will take five years to complete.
The minister also cited the possibility of Qatar Airways to build (and assist in expanding the state-run carrier RwandAir) the larger airport of the East African nation.
Rwanda aviation landscape is expected to stimulate the local economy, particularly which has been gaining a strong foothold, with 12. 7 per cent contribution to GDP and attracting more than 1 million tourist arrivals in 2017.
“We are looking for a bigger sized airport. That’s why we are looking for a bigger investor” Minister commented.
The new developments stand to enhance Rwanda’s aviation landscape, as 2018 World’s Airlines Awards named RwandAir as the most improved airline in the world—a step ahead of its neighbor competitors, Kenya Airlines (KQ) and AirTanzania.
READ: RwandAir face competition from Kenya’s budget carrier
