Ethiopia Begins Construction of $12.7bn Mega Airport, to Be Africa’s Largest

Ethiopia Begins Construction of $12.7bn Mega Airport, to Be Africa’s Largest

Ethiopia has commenced construction of a new international airport in Bishoftu, a town southeast of Addis Ababa, in which authorities describe as the largest aviation project ever undertaken on the African continent.

The project, estimated to cost $12.7 billion, is designed to handle up to 110 million passengers annually when completed.

Construction is expected to last about five years after which the facility will take over from Bole International Airport, which currently serves up to 25 million passengers a year.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the start of the project on Saturday, describing it as a key step toward strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a leading air transport hub in Africa.

He said the new airport would improve regional connectivity and support growth in trade and tourism.

The development is being partly funded by Ethiopian Airlines with additional financial backing from the African Development Bank, which has committed $500 million.

Authorities are also in discussions with other international lenders to secure further funding.

Plans for the project include a multi-lane highway and a 38-kilometre high-speed rail line linking the airport to the capital, aimed at easing access for passengers and cargo.

Ethiopian officials say the airport will support the country’s broader infrastructure drive, even as security challenges persist in parts of the country.

The project site, covering 35 square kilometres, has already been cleared with affected residents relocated as part of earlier preparations.