AFRICAN AVIATION: China and the US salivate over a slice of huge Ethiopian airport project
Ethiopia’s $12.5-billion Bishoftu International Airport is attracting firms and lenders from the two superpowers and other countries to one of Africa’s biggest aviation infrastructure projects.
The Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia is attracting significant interest from both US and Chinese firms, as well as other international parties, in what is one of Africa's largest aviation infrastructure projects. The $12.5-billion project, expected to open in 2030 with a capacity of 60 million passengers annually and eventually 110 million, is being built about 45km southeast of Addis Ababa.
US companies are pushing their aviation expertise and technology, with the Department of Commerce identifying opportunities in areas such as airport infrastructure, engineering, aviation systems, cargo logistics, energy, security, and smart-terminal technology. On the other hand, Chinese firms dominate the shortlist to build the airport, with 15 out of the 33 shortlisted positions held by Chinese companies or Chinese-led groups.
The construction competition is still open, with US firms like Lane Construction participating through joint ventures.
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