AfDB President Praises Ethiopia’s ‘Think Big, Do Big’ Vision as Bishoftu Airport Poised to Elevate Global Aviation Status

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (FMC) — African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina today lauded Ethiopia’s ambitious “think big, do big” mentality, emphasizing the transformative impact of the Bishoftu International Airport project in positioning the country as a global aviation hub.

Speaking at the ceremonial signing appointing AfDB as the mandated lead arranger to mobilize $8 billion in financing for the airport, Dr. Adesina highlighted Ethiopia’s remarkable speed and scale of transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

“The scale and speed of transformation in Ethiopia are truly inspiring,” Dr. Adesina said. “The transformation is happening every single hour, every single day, every single week, at scale. This mega project, the Bishoftu International Airport, is a powerful symbol of vision, determination, and Africa’s rising prominence on the global aviation map.”

The $10 billion airport will initially serve 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million at full capacity. It will significantly boost Ethiopian Airlines’ capacity while helping the airline reduce emissions by 50 percent and accommodate up to 3.7 million tons of cargo.

Dr. Adesina praised Ethiopian Airlines’ 75-year history of excellence and resilience, highlighting its leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and its status as Africa’s largest and most profitable airline. He applauded its 2024 revenue growth of 14 percent to $7.2 billion and a 24 percent rise in passenger numbers to 19 million.

The African Development Bank commits to mobilizing up to $8 billion in debt financing for the airport, including a $500 million anchor investment, underscoring its leading role in infrastructure development across Africa.

He further commended the Ethiopian government’s proactive and humane relocation of nearly 2,800 households affected by the project, praising the initiative’s transparency and social accountability.

In his closing remarks, Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide expressed confidence in the African Development Bank’s capacity to deliver on this transformative project.

Minister Ahmed recalled that the airport project concept dates back over 15 years and highlighted the government’s unwavering trust in Ethiopian Airlines’ professional management.

“The exponential growth of Ethiopian Airlines is anchored in strong government support and smooth institutional leadership succession,” he said, emphasizing the airline’s independence and reinvestment strategy.

He also noted the technical collaborations, including with French airport experts, that contributed to the selection of the Bishoftu site and the project’s master planning.

Minister Ahmed praised the dedicated efforts of Ethiopian Airlines’ management and the African Development Bank’s technical team, underscoring the high level of professionalism that culminated in the signing of the financing agreement.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to realizing the project, which he views as a key pillar in Ethiopia’s continued emergence as a regional and global aviation leader.