Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Ghana’s busiest air transport hub, has begun a long-awaited runway expansion project, the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) said on Tuesday, marking the first major upgrade in more than three decades.
The project aims to accommodate larger aircraft, increase flight traffic capacity, and modernize the airport to meet growing passenger and cargo demands. GACL said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional aviation hub in West Africa.
“The runway expansion is a critical infrastructure development for Ghana and will improve operational safety, reduce congestion, and enhance our capacity to handle international and domestic traffic,” GACL’s Chief Executive Officer said in a statement.
KIA, located near Accra, handles millions of passengers annually and is a key gateway connecting Ghana to Europe, North America, and other African nations. The airport also plays a vital role in air cargo, including perishable exports such as cocoa, flowers, and horticultural products, which require reliable and timely air transport.
Officials say the runway upgrade will allow KIA to handle larger wide-body aircraft, expanding its ability to host long-haul international flights. The expansion comes amid increasing passenger numbers, rising cargo volumes, and a growing aviation sector driven by tourism, trade, and business travel.
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“This is the first significant runway upgrade in over 30 years,” a GACL spokesperson said. “It is designed to bring our infrastructure in line with international standards and to support the anticipated growth in traffic over the coming decades.”
The project also includes improvements to taxiways, apron areas, and airfield lighting, ensuring safer and more efficient aircraft movement. It is expected to reduce delays and enhance operational efficiency at one of West Africa’s key airports.
Economic analysts say the runway expansion will have broader implications for Ghana’s economy. The airport is a central hub for the country’s tourism sector, one of the largest sources of foreign exchange earnings. Improved air transport capacity is also expected to support trade, particularly exports of high-value and time-sensitive goods.
The initiative reflects Ghana’s wider push to modernize infrastructure across critical sectors. The government has invested in airports, ports, and road networks to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign investment, and enhance regional connectivity.
Industry observers note that the project will position KIA to better compete with other West African hubs, such as Kotoka International Airport regional peers in Lomé Port, Port of Tema and Nigeria’s major airports, in attracting both passenger and cargo traffic.
The expansion project also comes amid growing demand for aviation infrastructure in Africa, as airlines expand routes and passenger traffic steadily recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say investing in modern, safe, and efficient airport infrastructure is key to unlocking economic potential, attracting tourism, and boosting trade.
GACL did not immediately disclose the total cost or the expected timeline for completion, but officials stressed that construction would proceed in phases to minimize disruption to ongoing airport operations. Passengers are expected to experience minimal interruptions during the upgrade, which is crucial for maintaining confidence in Ghana’s aviation sector.
The runway expansion signals a new chapter for KIA, which has not undergone significant upgrades since its original construction in the 1980s. Stakeholders in aviation, trade, and tourism view the project as essential for supporting Ghana’s ambition to become a regional hub and strengthening its role in global air transport networks.
Know more about the Kotoka International Airport
Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is Ghana’s premier international gateway and one of West Africa’s busiest airports, serving millions of passengers annually. Located near Accra, it handles both domestic and international flights, connecting Ghana to Europe, North America, and other African countries. The airport is operated by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which manages infrastructure, security, and development projects across the country’s airports.
The KIA runway has not undergone a major expansion in over three decades, making the current project critical for accommodating larger aircraft and increasing flight traffic. Growth in passenger numbers, rising cargo volumes, and the expansion of Ghana’s aviation sector have made the upgrade a strategic priority.
Runway expansion projects are essential for improving safety, reducing congestion, and enabling the airport to handle long-haul flights and larger wide-body aircraft. This will also support Ghana’s ambitions to become a regional aviation hub and facilitate growth in tourism, trade, and business connectivity.
The expansion reflects broader efforts by the Ghanaian government and GACL to modernize aviation infrastructure, attract more airlines, and enhance the country’s position in West African and global air transport networks. Improved infrastructure is expected to boost cargo throughput, including perishable exports such as cocoa and horticultural products, which rely on timely and reliable air transport.
