Ethiopia Bishoftu Airport US‑China rivalry

In July 2026 Ethiopia announced the launch of a $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport project, billed as Africa’s future largest aviation hub. The plan calls for a four‑runway facility southeast of Addis Ababa, with an initial capacity of 60 million passengers per year and a eventual 110 million, slated for completion by 2030.

Later that month, Ethiopian officials confirmed that Chinese state‑owned firms such as China Communications Construction Company and Beijing Urban Construction Group had already been shortlisted for major construction contracts, reflecting Beijing’s historic role in the country’s infrastructure.

The United States subsequently signaled interest in securing participation by American companies, including Boeing and GE Aerospace, framing the airport as a new arena for U.S.–China competition over influence in Africa. Financing is led by the African Development Bank, which has pledged $500 million and is mobilising roughly $8.7 billion for the project.