Ethiopia’s Finance Minister spotlights new mega airport project as catalyst for pan-African integration, economic growth

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Mr. Ahmed Shide described the new Bishoftu International Airport as a transformative infrastructure project that will serve as a vital gateway for Africa’s connectivity and economic progress.

Speaking at the signing ceremony between Ethiopian Airlines Group and the African Development Bank for financing Ethiopia’s mega aviation project earlier today, Minister Shide said the airport will be Africa’s largest and will position Ethiopia among the world’s top 20 aviation hubs by 2035.

Located 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, the greenfield airport is expected to serve between 60 million and 130 million passengers at full capacity, addressing rapidly growing regional air traffic demands and relieving saturation at Addis Ababa International Airport.

The project, valued at 10 billion USD, is scheduled for completion in 2030. Key features include two terminal buildings, three concourses, four railways, advanced cargo facilities with a capacity of 3.7 million tonnes, maintenance and repair centers, and dedicated road and rail links to enhance synergy with Bole International Airport.

Minister Ahmed emphasized the airport’s significance beyond infrastructure, highlighting its role as a catalyst for Pan-African integration, economic growth, tourism development, trade, and cultural exchange.

He noted the airport’s potential to double tourist arrivals in Ethiopia within a decade and boost continental tourism, generating foreign currency and enhancing people-to-people connectivity.

He further underlined the project’s role in facilitating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving air connectivity and reliable movement of goods, citing the airport’s cargo facilities as essential for perishable exports such as flowers, medicines, and e-commerce logistics.

The project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs during construction and sustain many more in aviation, logistics, hospitality, and retail sectors, it has been.learned.

Complementary infrastructure, including rail and expressway connections to Addis Ababa, will foster urban-rural economic linkages and improve accessibility.

The Minister stressed the government’s commitment to sustainable development, social equity, and environmental stewardship.

The airport will integrate green technologies such as energy-efficient terminals, solar power, sustainable waste management, and water conservation, aligned with Ethiopia’s low-carbon goals and international environmental standards, including the Paris Agreement and African Union Agenda 2063.

Mr. Ahmed also detailed the comprehensive resettlement and livelihood support programs for affected households, highlighting cash compensation, replacement housing, farmland allocations, and priority hiring during construction and operations, aimed at ensuring sustainable income opportunities post-resettlement.

He praised the partnership with the African Development Bank as the mandated lead arranger tasked with mobilizing up to 7.8 billion USD of the total financing required, and thanked the Bank’s president Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for his decade-long leadership and support to Ethiopia and Africa.

Furthermore, Ahmed expressed gratitude for the strong bond between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Dr. Adesina, which has been instrumental in enhancing cooperation between Ethiopia and the African Development Bank.