Kotoka International Airport: From World War Airbase to West Africa’s Premier Gateway

Kotoka International Airport (KIA), located about 10 kilometers from the center of Ghana’s capital, Accra, is the country’s main international airport and one of the busiest in West Africa. It occupies over 1,600 acres and serves as the primary gateway for air traffic into and out of Ghana.

Origins and Early Development

The airport was originally established as a military airstrip by the British Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, and with the rise of post-colonial ambitions across Africa, the newly independent government of Ghana—under President Kwame Nkrumah—began transforming the airfield into a civilian airport. In 1958, it was officially inaugurated as Accra International Airport, symbolizing Ghana's modern aspirations shortly after its 1957 independence.

In 1969, the airport was renamed Kotoka International Airport in honor of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a military figure associated with the 1966 coup. General Kotoka was killed at the location of what later became the airport forecourt, making the renaming both commemorative and controversial for some.

Expansion and Terminal Developments

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the airport saw a series of expansion projects, including extensions to its runways, improvements in lighting and air navigation systems, and basic upgrades to passenger facilities. These changes were vital in preparing the airport for increasing traffic, both regional and international.

The most significant transformation came in the form of Terminal 3, constructed between 2016 and 2018. This terminal was part of a broader initiative to elevate Ghana’s position in African aviation. Terminal 3 was built at an estimated cost of over 250 million USD and opened to full operations in September 2018. It spans over 48,000 square meters and includes state-of-the-art features such as six boarding bridges, multiple check-in counters, a fully automated baggage handling system, executive lounges, expanded retail space, and upgraded customs and immigration services. The terminal can process up to 1,250 passengers per hour and approximately 5 million passengers annually, with future scalability to handle 6.5 million passengers.

Between its commissioning in 2018 and 2022, Terminal 3 alone generated significant revenue from private sector tenants and commercial activities within the facility, contributing to the airport’s financial sustainability.

Passenger Traffic and Reputation

Passenger numbers at Kotoka International Airport have steadily grown over the years. In 2019, the airport handled close to 2.8 million passengers. While numbers dipped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, recovery has been strong, with over 3.4 million passengers recorded in 2024—placing KIA among the 15 busiest airports on the African continent.

The airport has received several international recognitions for service excellence and infrastructure. Notably, it was awarded “Best Airport in Africa by Size and Region” for the 2–5 million passenger category for three consecutive years. These awards have helped position Kotoka as one of the more efficient and modern airports in Africa.

Airport City and Terminal 2 Redevelopment

Kotoka International Airport is at the center of the urban development known as Airport City Accra. This precinct includes a cluster of hotels, office buildings, retail outlets, and airline headquarters—forming a vibrant commercial ecosystem directly linked to the airport. The aim is to diversify the airport’s revenue streams through non-aeronautical ventures such as real estate, retail, and conference services.

In 2025, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) launched a major redevelopment project for Terminal 2, which had previously been used for both domestic and limited regional flights. The renovated Terminal 2 is being reoriented to accommodate growing international and regional traffic, thereby relieving congestion from Terminal 3. Site tours and operational planning began earlier in the year, with visible momentum and support from stakeholders, including airline operators and the tourism sector.

Challenges and Identity Debates

Despite its achievements, Kotoka International Airport has not been without criticism. Public debates over naming the airport after General Kotoka—who played a controversial role in Ghana’s political history—have resurfaced in recent years. Some Ghanaians advocate for renaming the airport after President Nkrumah, arguing that he represents Ghana’s spirit of independence and pan-African leadership more fittingly.

Another key issue is the lack of a national carrier. Ghana Airways, once based at KIA, collapsed in the early 2000s due to mismanagement, and its successor, Ghana International Airlines, also failed within a few years. Despite ongoing discussions and proposals for a new home-based airline, progress has been slow, leaving Ghana without a flag carrier despite having a modern airport capable of serving as its hub.

The Road Ahead

Kotoka International Airport remains a critical piece of Ghana’s transport and economic infrastructure. As air traffic increases across Africa, KIA is well positioned to serve as a major transit and logistics hub in the subregion. With continued investment in facilities, strategic partnerships, and better national airline policy, the airport has the potential to become not just a gateway to Ghana, but a central node in Africa’s future air travel network.