Ethiopia Launches Construction Of USD 12.5 Billion Mega Airport

Ethiopia on January 10, 2026, officially launched construction of a mega international airport called Bishoftu International Airport, reported some African media. The new airport is located about 45 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, and expected to be completed in 2030.

Ethiopia launches construction of USD 12.5 billion mega airport. Illustrative 3-D drawing

Bishoftu International Airport construction project is said to be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa's history. The new airport project will entail construction of the following.

• 4 runways

• 1.1 million square meters of terminal space

• Parking space for 270 planes

• 38 km high-speed railway, and expressway, that will link the new airport with Addis Ababa

Reportedly, construction of Bishoftu International Airport will cost staggering USD 12.5 billion, with the Government of Ethiopia contributing 30%. The rest 70% of the cost is expected to be contributed by lenders. The Government of Ethiopia is said to have already allocated USD 610 million for the initial construction tasks, e.g., earthworks, that will be carried out from now on until August 2026 when the main construction works will begin.

When completed, Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest airport in Africa, and probably among the largest airports in the world, with capacity of handling up to 110 million passengers annually.

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