Ethiopia has commenced construction on a monumental $12.5 billion aviation infrastructure project that will establish the continent’s largest airport in the town of Bishoftu. The ambitious Bishoftu International Airport, scheduled for operational launch in 2030, represents a transformative investment in Africa’s aviation landscape.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali announced via social media platform X that this project stands as “the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history.” The megaproject will feature four parallel runways and unprecedented capacity specifications, including parking facilities for 270 aircraft simultaneously and annual passenger handling capability of 110 million travelers.
The scale represents a quantum leap from Ethiopia’s existing main airport, which currently operates at less than one-quarter of this capacity. Prime Minister Abiy noted that current aviation infrastructure would reach saturation within the next 24-36 months based on existing traffic growth patterns.
State-owned Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, secured the design and development contract for the facility located approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. According to Infrastructure Development & Planning Director Abraham Tesfaye, the airline will directly fund 30% of the project cost while international lenders will cover the remaining 70%.
Financial backing includes significant commitment from the African Development Bank, which pledged $500 million in August and will lead efforts to raise an additional $8.7 billion. Tesfaye confirmed strong financing interest from lenders across the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States.
The project budget has increased from initial estimates of $10 billion to the current $12.5 billion valuation. Earthworks preparation has already commenced with $610 million allocated for initial groundwork, scheduled for completion within twelve months. Primary construction contractors are expected to begin operations in August 2026.
This infrastructure development coincides with Ethiopian Airlines’ continued expansion, having added six new routes during the 2024/25 fiscal year while reporting substantial revenue growth.