Ethiopia has officially begun construction of what is set to become Africa’s largest airport, a $12.5 billion project led by Ethiopian Airlines in the town of Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa.
The Bishoftu International Airport project was launched on January 10, 2026, and is expected to be completed by 2030. Once operational, the four-runway facility will have the capacity to handle up to 110 million passengers annually and accommodate parking for 270 aircraft, making it more than four times larger than Ethiopia’s current main airport.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the development as “the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history,” saying it would strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a major air transport hub, enhance regional connectivity, and support trade and tourism across the continent.
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, will fund around 30 percent of the project, with the remaining financing to be provided by international lenders. The airline has already allocated $610 million for initial earthworks, which are expected to be completed within a year, while major construction contractors are scheduled to begin work in August 2026. The total project cost was initially estimated at $10 billion but has since been revised upward to $12.5 billion.
The African Development Bank has committed $500 million to the project and is leading efforts to raise an additional $8.7 billion. According to Ethiopian Airlines officials, lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States have expressed strong interest in financing the remaining costs.
The new airport is intended to eventually replace Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, which is expected to reach its maximum capacity within the next two to three years. Ethiopian authorities say the project is a key part of a broader strategy to future-proof the country’s aviation sector and reinforce its role as Africa’s leading air transport gateway.
