Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (FMC) — #Ethiopia’s urban transformation is entering a new phase, with the international airport under construction in Bishoftu emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings and a project of significance for Africa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.
The remarks came during the second episode of the Prime Minister’s interview with local media OBN, which was aired on Fana Media Corporation (FMC) platforms last night.
He placed the Bishoftu airport within a much wider transformation taking place across Ethiopian cities, saying the objective of urban renewal and corridor development is ultimately to build cities that work better for the people who live in them.
That vision goes beyond roads, buildings and other visible infrastructure. It encompasses faster and more effective public services, improved housing, reliable access to clean water and electricity, and adequately lit urban spaces.
The transformation is also being designed around proximity to essential services. Communities should be able to access schools and health facilities closer to where they live, while cities are expected to generate more employment opportunities and provide conditions in which new ideas and innovations can flourish.
The Prime Minister said the experience that began with the modernization of Addis Ababa will increasingly be replicated beyond the capital, with the expectation that the coming five years will see stronger and more modern cities emerge across the regions.
In that broader picture, the Bishoftu international airport represents a project with implications well beyond the city itself. Prime Minister Abiy described it as a major undertaking for Ethiopia and Africa, underscoring the scale of the country’s infrastructure ambitions.
He said the urban modernization and corridor development efforts will continue, with the ultimate objective of creating cities that combine improved infrastructure with better services, economic opportunity and more favorable conditions for residents and innovation.