US Pushes for Share of Ethiopian Airlines' $12.5 Billion Bishoftu Airport Project
The United States is actively lobbying for American companies to participate in Ethiopia's $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport project. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase US infrastructure influence in Africa against competition from China.
Why it matters
This reflects the intensifying geopolitical competition between global powers for influence over critical infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
The United States is actively seeking participation for American companies in Ethiopian Airlines' $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport project, as Washington competes with China and other powers for infrastructure influence across Africa. Mark Mitchell, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, confirmed the push during a virtual briefing from the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium in Addis Ababa, where he also held meetings with Ethiopian Airlines officials. Construction on the four-runway facility, located approximately 45 km southeast of Addis Ababa, began in January 2026, with completion targeted for 2030 and ambitions to position it as a major continental aviation hub.
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