Addis Ababa, June 15, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has detailed the scale of workforce deployment, machinery use, and digital monitoring systems at the Bishoftu International Airport mega project during a visit to the construction site today.
The Prime Minister said the project is currently taking shape through round-the-clock construction efforts and is being implemented as the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa. He made the remarks while touring the site, where ongoing construction activities were reviewed.
He noted that the project currently involves more than 8,000 workers and between 3,800 and 4,000 pieces of machinery and trucks engaged in continuous construction operations. He added that the project is being implemented within a 30-kilometre operational radius, reflecting the scale and complexity of the development.
Prime Minister Abiy said the construction process requires substantial logistical input, including fuel consumption exceeding 650,000 litres per day for machinery and transport operations.
He further explained that all construction activities are being managed through integrated digital systems, including dashboard cameras and drone technology, which monitor and document the movement and performance of machinery and vehicles across the site. He described this as the most advanced project management system applied in Ethiopia to date.
The Prime Minister emphasized that beyond design and financing, successful delivery of major infrastructure projects depends on execution capacity, supervision, and effective management systems. He noted that many projects globally face delays, cost overruns, or incomplete implementation due to such gaps.
He said the Bishoftu International Airport project demonstrates Ethiopia’s growing capacity to execute complex, large-scale developments and expressed confidence that it will be completed within its planned schedule, despite anticipated challenges.
Prime Minister Abiy also called for the application of similar integrated and digital management systems in other national projects, stating that such approaches are essential to ensure efficiency, quality, and timely completion.
He added that the project reflects a broader shift in Ethiopia’s development approach toward large-scale, technology-driven infrastructure implementation.
The Prime Minister concluded that the Bishoftu International Airport project stands as a major national undertaking that demonstrates Ethiopia’s ability to manage complex mega projects through coordinated systems, large-scale operations, and modern digital oversight.