Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Ethiopia Starts Building Africa's Largest Airport
Ethiopia has started building a very big new airport in a town called Bishoftu.
It will be the largest airport in Africa and cost a lot of money, about $12.7 billion.
The airport will be able to handle many more passengers than the current one in the capital, Addis Ababa.
The government and Ethiopian Airlines are working together on this project.
They also plan to build a new road and a fast train to connect the airport to the capital.
The airport is expected to take five years to build.
Some farmers had to move from their homes to make way for the airport, and the government paid to rehouse them.
Ethiopia is also building other big projects like a large dam and new buildings in cities.
Ethiopia has begun constructing Africa's largest airport in Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa.
The project is expected to cost $12.7 billion and will have a capacity of 110 million passengers annually.
Construction is expected to take five years and will include a multi-lane motorway and a high-speed railway.
The African Development Bank has committed $500 million, with further funding being sought from other international banks.
The project has led to the displacement of 2,500 farmers, who were rehoused at a cost of $350 million.
- Who
- Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines, African Development Bank, and other international banks
- What
- Construction of Africa's largest airport in Bishoftu
- When
- Construction began on Saturday
- Where
- Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Why
- To future-proof Ethiopia's role as Africa's leading air transport gateway, enhance African connectivity, expand trade and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a major intercontinental hub
- Project Cost
- $12.7 billion
- Expected Capacity
- 110 million passengers annually
- Construction Duration
- 5 years
- Funding Source
- Ethiopian Airlines, African Development Bank, and other international banks
- Displaced Farmers
- 2,500
- Rehousing Cost
- $350 million
- Airport Site Size
- 35 square kilometers
- High-Speed Railway Speed
- 124 mph (200 kph)