U.S., China Compete for Role in Ethiopia’s $12.5 Billion Mega Airport Project

The United States and China are competing for a major role in Ethiopia’s ambitious $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport project, highlighting growing global rivalry over strategic infrastructure investments in Africa.

U.S. officials are seeking to secure contracts for American companies in the construction and development of the airport, while Chinese state-owned firms are also among the leading contenders for key construction work.

Speaking at the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium in Addis Ababa, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, Mark Mitchell, said Washington is actively engaging with Ethiopian Airlines to increase American participation in the project. He noted that U.S. involvement could also lead to additional purchases of Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.

Construction of the four-runway airport began in January, with completion scheduled for 2030. Once operational, the Bishoftu International Airport is expected to handle up to 110 million passengers annually, making it one of the largest aviation hubs in the world.

The new airport, located about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, is designed to ease congestion at Bole International Airport and support the rapid expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline.

Funding for the project has attracted significant international interest. The African Development Bank has committed $500 million and is leading efforts to mobilize $8.7 billion for the development, while U.S. financial institutions have also expressed interest in supporting the project.

Beyond aviation, the United States is exploring partnerships with Ethiopia’s Artificial Intelligence Institute as part of broader efforts to expand American technology and digital infrastructure across Africa.

The competition over the Bishoftu Airport reflects the growing strategic contest between Washington and Beijing for influence in Africa’s fast-growing aviation, logistics, and technology sectors, while giving Ethiopia an opportunity to diversify its international partnerships.

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