The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved financing worth Shs674.1 billion (โฌ155.99 million) to upgrade Arua Airport into an international-standard aviation facility, a major investment expected to accelerate trade, tourism, and economic growth across Ugandaโs West Nile region.
The funding will support Phase One of the Uganda Airports Development Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at modernising air transport infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity.
Situated approximately 450 kilometres northwest of Kampala, Arua Airport serves as a critical gateway to the West Nile region and neighbouring markets in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite its strategic location, inadequate aviation infrastructure has long limited the areaโs economic potential.
Under the planned development, the airport will undergo extensive expansion to accommodate larger aircraft, increased passenger traffic, and growing cargo volumes. Key improvements include the construction of a 3.5-kilometre paved runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, alongside new taxiways and aircraft parking aprons.
A modern passenger terminal with the capacity to serve up to 700,000 passengers annually will also be built. In addition, the project will deliver a cargo terminal capable of processing 25,000 tonnes of freight each year, a new air traffic control tower, improved access roads, parking facilities, and enhanced aviation safety systems.
The overall programme is estimated to cost Shs681.5 billion (โฌ157.76 million). Of this amount, the African Development Bank will provide a loan of Shs609.9 billion (โฌ141.15 million), while the African Development Fundโthe Bank Groupโs concessional financing armโwill contribute Shs64.1 billion (โฌ14.84 million). The Government of Uganda will provide counterpart funding of Shs7.6 billion (โฌ1.77 million).
According to Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development at the African Development Bank Group, the project goes beyond airport infrastructure and is designed to unlock new economic opportunities.
โThis project is about connecting people to opportunities. It will open new markets for businesses, support tourism growth and strengthen Ugandaโs position as a regional trade and logistics hub,โ he said.
Implementation will be overseen by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) under the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The upgraded airport is expected to create significant opportunities in agriculture, tourism, trade, logistics, and mineral development. Although West Nile possesses abundant natural resources and strong economic prospects, its distance from major markets has often hindered growth.
Enhanced air connectivity is expected to enable farmers and traders to transport fresh produce more efficiently to regional and international markets, while also making the region more attractive and accessible to tourists and investors.
Project estimates indicate that more than 500,000 residents of Arua City and Arua District will directly benefit from the development. The wider West Nile region, home to over 3.3 million people, is also expected to gain from improved transport links and expanded investment opportunities.
Beyond infrastructure, the project is expected to generate substantial employment. During construction, approximately 500 direct jobs and more than 1,400 indirect jobs are projected to be created across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, transport, and trade.
The initiative will also invest in local skills development, with at least 100 young peopleโincluding womenโset to receive training in engineering, construction, and equipment operation. This will help build local expertise while improving long-term employment prospects.
The airport expansion aligns with the African Development Bankโs Ten-Year Strategy 2024โ2033 and Ugandaโs broader infrastructure development agenda, which prioritises improved transport networks, greater market access, and industrialisation.
Once completed, the modernised Arua Airport is expected to emerge as a key international gateway for northwestern Uganda, strengthening regional trade connections and supporting sustainable economic growth throughout the West Nile region.
