Market Intelligence
Airport and Ground Support Equipment Design and Construction Services Information and Communication Technology Ethiopia Air Transport Infrastructure Development Government Procurement

Ethiopia Design and Construction Launch of $12.5 Billion Airport City Project


In August 2024, Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG) signed a design and advisory contract with Sidara Group (formerly Dar Group) for a state-of-the-art airport development at Abusera, near Bishoftu, approximately 40 km from Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.

The $12.7 billion greenfield Bishoftu airport project spans 35 square kilometers and aims to become Africa’s largest and a world-class aviation hub. Phase I includes a 1.1 million square meter terminal with capacity for 60 million annual passengers by 2029. The project will also feature more than 100,000 square meters of cargo facilities and two parallel Code 4E runways, with two additional runways planned in Phase II. Once operational, the new airport is expected to handle 95% of Ethiopia’s international air traffic.

The design consortium for the “Mega Airport City” is led by Sidara and includes renowned firms such as Zaha Hadid Architects and Pascall+Watson. U.S. firm KPMG is advising on the financing structure, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) has been confirmed as the Mandate Lead Arranger for project financing.

The Bishoftu International Airport project is in advanced planning and pre-construction phases as of 2025. Major construction is slated to commence by 2026.

U.S. firms specializing in airport infrastructure, engineering, aviation systems, cargo logistics, energy, security, or smart terminal technologies are encouraged to explore opportunities to engage with this landmark project. Both DFC and EXIM are interested in financing the project. DFC has indicated potential support of $1 billion in financing and $1 billion in political risk insurance (assuming no Chinese involvement), while EXIM has no financing cap but requires at least 51% U.S. content. Ethiopian officials have signaled a preference for “trusted” U.S. technologies and expertise to help realize EAG’s vision of an iconic, world-class airport. 
 

Upcoming Virtual Matchmaking Opportunity:

The U.S. Department of Commerce – Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is planning to host a Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) Virtual Matchmaking. Details of the BIA Virtual Matchmaking will be shared soon.

For more information, please contact: Siraj Mustefa, Commercial Assistant Email: Siraj.Mustefa@trade.gov