The United States has announced its backing for the construction of a new international airport in Ethiopia, marking President Donald Trump’s first significant commercial initiative in the East African nation.
The project will see a brand new facility built in Bishoftu, around 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. The airport is expected to relieve growing pressure on Bole International Airport, which is currently Ethiopia’s main hub, and further strengthen the global standing of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline.
According to the announcement, the US will offer substantial financial assistance for the venture. Massad Boulos, Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa, revealed the development on 29 September via his X (formerly Twitter) account, following a formal visit to Ethiopia.
“It’s a $10 billion project, probably more,” Boulos wrote. “The DFC and other institutions are supporting. We are also working closely with many projects relating to Boeing. Boeing has a very, very strong partnership, as we know, with Ethiopian Airlines, with Royal Air Maroc, with many other airlines across the continent including Gabon and Angola and the DRC – and many others, too numerous to list,” he added, referencing the US International Development Finance Corporation.
The planned Bishoftu International Airport will be a greenfield development spanning 34 square kilometres. It will initially be capable of handling 60 million passengers annually, with plans to expand this to 110 million. Cargo capacity is set at 3.73 million tonnes per year, according to a recently released prospectus.
Construction is expected to commence in late 2025, with the first phase slated for completion by November 2029.
In addition to the airport itself, the project will include a large-scale “airport city” featuring shopping centres, hotels, leisure zones, and direct connections to Addis Ababa via both expressways and rail links.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has also stepped forward as a key partner in the project. In August, it signed an agreement to act as the lead arranger and global coordinator, aiming to mobilise nearly $8 billion towards the total cost. The AfDB is also planning to provide $500 million in financing, subject to approval from its board.
A letter of intent regarding the funding of the new airport at Abusera was signed between Ethiopian Airlines and the AfDB in March this year.
The project is seen as a crucial element of Ethiopia’s regional development ambitions and forms a cornerstone of Ethiopian Airlines’ 2035 vision, which includes network growth, infrastructure investment, and workforce development.
For the AfDB, the airport aligns with its broader regional integration goals, which prioritise improved transport links, food and energy security, and a shift towards clean energy.
Ethiopian Airlines has continued to post strong growth. In the fiscal year ending 30 June 2024, the airline reported a record revenue of $7.02 billion—an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year. Passenger numbers also reached 17.1 million, including 13.4 million international and 3.7 million domestic travellers.
The ambitious airport project is expected to further cement the airline’s dominance in Africa and support Ethiopia’s aspirations as a regional transport and logistics hub.
