CHINESE FIRMS JOIN RACE FOR ETHIOPIA’S $12.5BN AIRPORT PROJECT

Chinese construction firms are among international companies competing for contracts on Ethiopia’s $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, a major project expected to transform the country’s aviation sector.

Located near Addis Ababa, the airport will have four runways and is planned to handle about 60 million passengers annually in its first phase, with capacity eventually reaching 110 million passengers. Chinese companies and consortiums reportedly hold 15 of 33 prequalified positions across four major construction packages.

Among the firms involved are China Communications Construction Company, China Road and Bridge Corporation and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

The airport is designed to ease pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and strengthen Ethiopia’s links with Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Ethiopian Airlines is expected to finance about 30 percent of the project, while the remaining 70 percent will be raised externally, with the African Development Bank serving as lead financing arranger.

The project could also create opportunities for Chinese and other international companies in transport, power, telecommunications, logistics, equipment supply and technology.