Ethiopia officially launches construction of a new international airport

The infrastructure is expected to cost around $12,7 billion (about €11 billion) and be able to accommodate 60 million passengers annually at the end of the first phase of work and, eventually, some 110 million passengers each year - more than Atlanta airport in 2024, currently the busiest in the world.

This future airport "hub", financed in particular by Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian national airline, will replace the current Bole airport, located in the heart of the capital and with a capacity of approximately 25 million passengers per year, for international connections.

Ethiopian Airlines, 100% state-owned, is the leading African airline in terms of fleet and passengers and prides itself on being one of the few profitable ones on the continent.

Mr. Abiy, accompanied by several ministers, "officially launched the construction of the airport during a ceremony to inaugurate the works on the site" of Bishoftu, the head of the Ethiopian executive announced on X.

The work is expected to last five years.

He welcomed the project, saying it "will place Ethiopia among the world's leading air hubs."

In addition to the airport, the "project also includes the construction of a modern multi-lane highway linking the new airport to Addis Ababa, as well as a 38-kilometer high-speed railway line capable of reaching (...) 120 to 200 km/h," Mr. Abiy continued.

The Bishoftu project has already secured a $500 million financing commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the authorities are in discussions with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB, initiated by Beijing), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the DFC, the US International Development Finance Agency.

The country wants to attract foreign tourists, despite ongoing armed conflicts in its two most populated regions, Oromia - where Bishoftu is located - and Amhara.

This future airport, which is to cover some 35 km2, has already led to the displacement of 2.500 farmers who were "relocated" last year for $350 million, explained the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew Bekele, in November.

Ethiopia, the second most populous country on the continent with some 130 million inhabitants, has launched major infrastructure projects in recent years.

The continent's largest dam was inaugurated last year and extensive urban renovations (including the widening of streets) are underway in Addis Ababa and other major cities across the country.