One of the world's largest airports is about to be built in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is preparing to host one of the world's largest and most strategic airport hubs. Near the capital, Addis Ababa , the new Bishoftu Airport will be built, destined to become Africa's largest airport and a major international air traffic hub.

The project, the result of a collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines and the African Development Bank , promises to revolutionize the continent's air connectivity, stimulate the local economy and attract travellers from all over the world.

Bishoftu Airport marks the beginning of a new era for African air travel . With record-breaking numbers, a strategic international role, and a strong boost to local economic development, this mega-project could transform Ethiopia into one of the world's leading aviation hubs. In the coming years, millions of travelers could pass through here, discovering not only a cutting-edge infrastructure, but also a continent experiencing rapid growth and brimming with opportunities.

A record-breaking project: the new Bishoftu airport

The new Bishoftu Airport will be built in Abusera , approximately 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa , Ethiopia , and will represent the most ambitious airport infrastructure project on the African continent.

With an initial capacity of 60 million passengers per year, expandable to 110 million, it will be a true aviation giant. To give an idea of its scale, the current Bole International Airport —which will be integrated into the new hub—handles approximately 25 million passengers annually: the new airport will more than quadruple this volume.

The overall cost of the project is estimated at 10 billion dollars (approximately 8.3 billion euros) and work is expected to begin at the end of the year, with an expected duration of five years.

The initiative is supported by the African Development Bank , which will provide an initial loan of $500 million and will coordinate the raising of the necessary funds to complete the financing.

Beyond its size, the new airport will be the beating heart of a true aerotropolis : an integrated urban and logistics hub designed to foster the region's economic development, improve infrastructure, and generate tens of thousands of jobs. This complex will include passenger and cargo facilities, boosting Africa's entire transport and shipping sector.

A strategic hub for Africa in the world

The future Bishoftu Airport will not only be an impressive infrastructure but also a world-class pan-African gateway . According to Mesfin Tasew , CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, this project represents a decisive step towards improving air connectivity, promoting intra-African trade, boosting tourism, and strengthening regional integration.

Strategically, the hub will position Ethiopia as a central hub in global air routes, thanks to its favorable geographical location for connections between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Ethiopian Airlines, already a continental leader in the sector, will be able to expand its international operations, keeping Bole Airport mainly dedicated to domestic flights .

Akinwumi Adesina , President of the African Development Bank, called the initiative " a transformative moment not only for Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopia, but for the entire continent ." The project, in fact, goes beyond simple air transport: it aims to strengthen Africa's position in the global economy by attracting investment, fostering innovation, and creating new development opportunities.