By Micah Jonah
January 10, 2026
Ethiopia has officially commenced construction of a $12.5 billion airport project that authorities say will become the largest aviation facility in Africa when completed in 2030.
The project, known as Bishoftu International Airport, is being developed in the town of Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines, the state owned national carrier, has been awarded the contract to design the four runway airport.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali described the project as the largest aviation infrastructure development in Africa’s history. According to government and airline officials, the new airport will have parking space for about 270 aircraft and a projected annual passenger capacity of 110 million.
The planned capacity is more than four times that of Ethiopia’s existing main airport, which authorities say is expected to reach its operational limits within the next two to three years due to rising traffic.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Infrastructure Development and Planning Director, Abraham Tesfaye, said the airline will finance 30 percent of the total cost, while the remaining funds will come from international lenders. He disclosed that $610 million has already been set aside for earthworks, which are expected to be completed within one year. Major contractors are scheduled to begin work in August 2026.
The project was initially estimated to cost $10 billion, but the budget has since been revised upward. The African Development Bank has already committed to providing $500 million in funding, is leading efforts to raise additional financing of about $8.7 billion.
According to Ethiopian Airlines, lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China and the United States have expressed strong interest in supporting the project.
Ethiopian Airlines remains Africa’s largest carrier and continues to expand its network. The airline added six new routes in the 2024 to 2025 period, alongside steady growth in revenue, reinforcing its position as a key player in the continent’s aviation sector.
