Ethiopia is set to construct a new international airport near its capital, Addis Ababa, with an estimated cost of $7.8 billion. The airport will be located in Bishoftu, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. While the official statement does not specify the exact contribution from the African Development Bank (AfDB), it highlights the significance of the project in boosting Ethiopia’s infrastructure.
The Ethiopian authorities aim to address the growing demand for both domestic and international air travel, catering to the increasing need for the transport of goods and passengers. The current Bolé International Airport is reaching its capacity, handling 17 million passengers annually. The government’s goal is to triple the country’s airport capacity, aiming for 60 million passengers by 2040.
This mega-project, first proposed in 2018, reflects the ambitions of Ethiopian Airlines, the leading airline in Africa, and is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a central hub for air travel across the continent. Although the statement did not specify the exact completion date, Ethiopian officials had previously mentioned plans to begin operations in 2029.