The United States has pledged its support for the development of a substantial $10 billion international airport in Ethiopia, marking a significant business endeavor by the U.S. in the Horn of Africa. This commitment was announced by U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, during his visit to Ethiopia, preceding the United Nations General Assembly. He confirmed the involvement of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in this ambitious project, collaborating with Boeing on initiatives that extend to Ethiopian Airlines and various other ventures across the African continent, as reported by Business Insider Africa.

The planned Bishoftu International Airport, strategically located 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, is envisioned to be constructed in several phases. The initial phase is designed to manage an annual passenger traffic of 60 million, with future expansion plans aiming to elevate this capacity to 110 million passengers and an impressive 3.73 million tonnes of cargo per year. Groundwork for the project is slated to commence in late 2025, with a target completion date set for November 2029.

Upon its full completion, Bishoftu International Airport is projected to become the largest and most expensive airport infrastructure project on the African continent, surpassing the scale and handling capacity of Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport. The facility's design incorporates four runways and an integrated airport city. With a capacity to serve 100 million passengers annually, it is expected to rival or exceed facilities like Cape Town International Airport, which received a Skytrax World Airport Award in 2025. Covering an expansive area of 34 square kilometers, the new airport is also expected to alleviate the current congestion at Bole International Airport, which will continue to manage domestic flights. The integrated airport city component will feature hotels, shopping centers, and recreational facilities, further bolstering Ethiopian Airlines' growth as Africa's largest carrier and solidifying Ethiopia's strategic position as a regional aviation hub.

Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, indicated that the new Bishoftu International Airport is anticipated to begin international flight operations by 2030, following its five-year construction period. He also mentioned that preparations for the project were finalized to commence construction in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year and that housing construction for the relocation of farmers displaced by the project is currently being finalized.

Financial backing also includes contributions from the African Development Bank (AfDB). In August 2025, the AfDB announced its intention to contribute $500 million towards the airport's financing, subject to board approval. Furthermore, the African Development Bank Group has reportedly signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines Group to mobilize a substantial $8 billion for the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, reinforcing its status as a monumental infrastructure development set to transform African aviation.