Addis Ababa, November 27, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has unveiled the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) mega-project to global financiers at the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, drawing strong interest from development partners, commercial lenders, export-credit agencies, and institutional investors.
The presentation marks a major step forward for a project expected to become one of the largest and most strategically significant aviation hubs on the continent.
Bishoftu International Airport is a greenfield infrastructure initiative led by Ethiopian Airlines Group in collaboration with the African Development Bank, technical advisers, and financial consultants.
The airport will be constructed near Abusera, about 40 km south of Addis Ababa. Phase I, valued at approximately USD 12.5 billion, is designed to accommodate 60 million passengers annually, with full development projected to raise total capacity to 110 million passengers — positioning BIA as Africa’s largest airport.
The project also incorporates extensive cargo facilities and an airport-city development featuring logistics centers, hospitality, retail, and direct rail and expressway connections to the capital.
The African Development Bank, appointed earlier this year as lead arranger and global coordinator, is guiding the project’s financing structure. During the Rabat showcase, investors from across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia engaged extensively with the project sponsors, reviewing the Project Information Memorandum, financial model, and risk-allocation framework.
The strong response reflects growing global confidence in Africa’s large-scale infrastructure pipeline and recognition of BIA’s strategic importance for future trade, mobility, and continental connectivity.
Representatives of multilateral development institutions, export-credit agencies, commercial banks, and engineering firms assessed the project’s technical and financial readiness as it advances from preparation to procurement and eventual construction.
BIA is envisioned as a transformative engine for economic expansion, trade, tourism, and regional integration. It is expected to alleviate pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, meet rising passenger and cargo demand, and strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a continental aviation hub.
The wider airport-city development is anticipated to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, attract new investments, and support long-term socioeconomic development.
The Africa Investment Forum presentation provided prospective partners with a comprehensive overview of the project’s financial, technical, and strategic foundations. Ethiopian Airlines Group formally released the Project Information Memorandum and financial model to potential financiers, while prequalification of EPC contractors is underway, with bid submissions expected by mid-December 2025.
In a message accompanying the presentation, Ethiopia’s Finance Minister said the project marks a significant step in Africa’s aviation journey, noting that its advanced design and connectivity will help position Ethiopia as a major gateway linking the continent to the rest of the world.