Construction has officially commenced in Ethiopia on what is set to become Africa’s largest airport, a massive infrastructure project located near the town of Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa. The project, which broke ground on Sunday, January 11, 2026, is designed to eventually handle over 100 million passengers annually, significantly dwarfing the capacity of the current Bole International Airport. This ambitious development is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s long-term strategy to cement its position as the premier aviation and logistics hub for the entire continent.
The new four-runway facility is being built to accommodate the rapid growth of Ethiopian Airlines and the increasing demand for transcontinental transit. Government officials have emphasized that the project will not only boost tourism and trade but will also create thousands of jobs during both the construction and operational phases. Financing for the multibillion-dollar endeavor involves a mix of state funding and international partnerships, reflecting Ethiopia’s continued focus on large-scale industrialization despite regional economic headwinds. Once completed, the airport is expected to redefine air travel in Africa, providing the infrastructure necessary to compete with the world’s major global transit hubs.
