Ethiopia is set to construct the continent’s largest airport, the Bishoftu International Airport, in a landmark $7.8 billion project. The Ethiopian Airlines Group has partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop the new aviation hub, which aims to address the rapidly growing demand for passenger and cargo services in the region.
The project was formalized through a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed on March 14, 2025, by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and AfDB Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo. The signing ceremony was attended by AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide.
Located near Addis Ababa, the new airport will significantly boost Ethiopia’s aviation capacity, increasing annual passenger handling from 17 million to over 60 million by 2040. This expansion will also reinforce Ethiopian Airlines’ position as Africa’s leading aviation group.
During the signing event, Minister Shide expressed gratitude for the AfDB’s ongoing support, which includes over $1.2 billion in investments across critical sectors.
