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THE PROJECT HERALD
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Bishoftu International Airport — Ethiopia ($12.5bn)

Country
Ethiopia
Sector
Infrastructure
Intelligence Type
Project
Status / Stage
Under Construction
Estimated Value
USD Billion 12.5
Confidence
Reported

Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport — described as the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history — carries a $12.5bn price tag and is under construction 40km south of Addis Ababa. Initial capacity 60-80 million passengers per year, expandable to 120 million. It will become Ethiopian Airlines’ primary hub.

Project Details

Project TypeGreenfield international airport — passenger, cargo and MRO
Project OwnerEthiopian Government / Ethiopian Airlines
Expected CompletionPhase 1 operational: 2029 (estimated)
Current PhaseConstruction
Funding StatusPartial

Key Issues / Risks

$12.5bn exceeds Ethiopia's entire annual budget. Full financing package not publicly confirmed. Ethiopian macro environment (post-civil war, debt restructuring) adds risk.

Latest Development (Detail)

Described as Africa's largest aviation infrastructure project in May 2026. Construction underway as of mid-2026.

What Happens Next

Construction milestone announcements and financing confirmations.

Commercial Opportunity

Africa's largest planned airport — procurement covers terminal, airfield civil works, navigation systems, cargo, MRO.

Commercial Opportunity Intelligence

Commercial ReadinessDeveloping

Source & Verification Trail

Last VerifiedAugust 2026
Source(s)Monitor Uganda May 22 2026; CCE Online News December 2025
Source DateMay 2026