Ethiopia launches ambitious US$10B Bishoftu International Airport project with African Development Bank support

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has taken a major step toward building a new international airport designed to rival the world’s largest hubs.

On August 11, 2025, a monumental signing ceremony marked the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) commitment as the initial mandated lead arranger, global coordinator, and book runner to mobilize nearly US$8 billion of the US$10 billion financing needed for the project.

The AfDB plans to provide US$500 million in direct financing to the project, subject to Board approval.

The mandate letter was signed by Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha and AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in the presence of Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Ahmed Shide.

The ceremony also included dignitaries such as Ethiopian Airlines Board Chair Lt General Yilma Merdessa and finance and diplomatic representatives from Malawi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and Zambia.

Located approximately 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa in Bishoftu (Abusera), the greenfield Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) is designed to be Africa’s largest airport at completion.

It will initially handle 60 million passengers per year, with planned expansion to 110 million passengers annually.

The airport’s cargo capacity is projected at 3.73 million tons per year, supporting Ethiopia’s position as a key continental logistics and travel hub.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s oldest and largest carrier with 75 years of operation, will contribute 20% of the total project cost and spearhead development efforts.

The new airport is expected to complement Addis Ababa’s existing Bole International Airport, which operates near capacity with an annual passenger throughput of 25 million.

The project includes integrated airport city features, such as shopping malls, hotels, recreational facilities, and direct rail and expressway connections to the capital.

Construction groundworks are slated to commence late in 2025, with Phase I scheduled for completion by November 2029.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, represented at the signing, described the project as a decisive step toward realizing a world-class pan-African gateway that will boost intra-African trade, regional integration, tourism, and global connectivity.

African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina lauded the project as transformative for Ethiopia, Africa, and global aviation, emphasizing that “speed and scale are now the hallmarks of Ethiopia.”

The mega infrastructure initiative reflects Ethiopia’s visionary leadership and ambition to place Africa at the forefront of global aviation by 2035.

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