Ethiopia launches $12.5 bn Bishoftu Airport project to become Africa's largest aviation hub

Ethiopia has begun construction of the Bishoftu International Airport, a $12.5 billion megaproject 35‑40 km south of Addis Ababa. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the 35 km² complex will feature four runways, parking for 270 aircraft and a passenger terminal capable of handling up to 110 million people a year, with the first phase targeting 60 million passengers by 2030.

The airport will include a cargo terminal able to process four million tonnes of freight annually, making it one of the world’s largest cargo hubs. A new 38‑km railway will link the existing Bole Airport, Addis Ababa and the Bishoftu site, creating an integrated “airport city” with hotels, offices and retail space. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, is leading the development and will provide roughly $4.5 billion, while the African Development Bank has pledged a $500 million loan; the remaining financing is still being arranged.

By exploiting Ethiopia’s central geographic position, the project aims to turn the country into a major transfer point between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, supporting the continent’s Agenda 2063 goals of greater integration and economic growth.