**US Seeks Involvement in Ethiopia's Major Airport Project**
The United States is actively pursuing a role for American companies in a significant infrastructure project in Ethiopia, specifically the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, which is projected to cost $12.5 billion. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Washington to enhance its commercial and infrastructural presence in Africa, a region where China's influence has been growing rapidly.
During a virtual briefing held in Addis Ababa, Mark Mitchell, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the importance of the airport project, describing it as “transformative.” He noted that various US government agencies are collaborating to facilitate strong participation from American firms in the project, following discussions with officials from Ethiopian Airlines.
While Mitchell did not disclose specific companies or contracts that might be involved, he hinted at the potential for increased orders of Boeing aircraft, particularly those powered by GE Aerospace engines. Ethiopian Airlines has already made headlines by agreeing to purchase six additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft in April.
Construction of Bishoftu International Airport commenced in January and is located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2030, with an initial capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually. Once fully developed, the airport's capacity is anticipated to reach 110 million passengers, positioning it as the largest airport in Africa.
The airport project is designed to support the rapid growth of Ethiopian Airlines, which has reported a remarkable 20% increase in revenue, reaching a record $9.1 billion in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The airline transported 20.7 million passengers during this period and expanded its fleet with nine new aircraft and four additional international routes. Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates over 170 planes and serves 150 international destinations.
Financing for the airport project is being facilitated by the African Development Bank, which signed a mandate last August to provide a $500 million loan and is leading efforts to mobilize an additional $8.7 billion for the development of Bishoftu.
The US initiative to engage in the Ethiopian airport project comes amid a competitive landscape in Africa, where both the US and China are vying for influence in trade, technology, and infrastructure development. Reports from the Ethiopian business newspaper, Addis Fortune, indicate that Chinese firms, including China Communications Construction Company and Beijing Urban Construction Group, have already begun preliminary site clearing and groundwork for the airport.
Ethiopian Airlines has acknowledged on its official website that several Chinese companies and joint ventures have been shortlisted to bid for the main construction and infrastructure packages for the airport.
Despite the potential for economic collaboration, the US faces challenges in its relationship with Ethiopia. The country was excluded from the US African Growth and Opportunity Act program in 2022 due to concerns over human rights violations during the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia. This exclusion has created a complex backdrop for US efforts to engage with Ethiopian infrastructure projects.
As the US seeks to establish a foothold in Ethiopia's burgeoning aviation sector, the outcome of these initiatives will depend on how effectively American companies can navigate the competitive landscape and the geopolitical dynamics of the region.