Ethiopia's $12.5 bn Bishoftu Airport becomes arena for US‑China competition

The United States is seeking a role for American firms in Ethiopia’s $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport project. Mark Mitchell, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, said Washington is "closely engaged in pushing to secure U.S. participation" and suggested the involvement could lead to more Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.

The four‑runway airport, located about 40‑45 km southeast of Addis Ababa, is slated for completion in 2030. Its first phase will handle 60 million passengers a year, with a full capacity of up to 110 million, making it Africa’s largest airport. Chinese state‑owned firms, including China Communications Construction Company and Beijing Urban Construction Group, are already shortlisted for major construction contracts, reflecting Beijing’s historic dominance in Ethiopian infrastructure.

Financing is being led by the African Development Bank, which has pledged $500 million and is mobilising about $8.7 billion for the project. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, recently ordered six additional Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, adding to its existing fleet. The airport is promoted as a “transformative” hub that will link Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, while also serving as a new front in the broader U.S.–China rivalry for influence on the continent.