U.S. Eyes Sizable Investment in Ethiopia's Bishoftu Airport Project
Washington is considering a major investment led by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to support Ethiopian Airlines' new Bishoftu airport hub, with no specific dollar amount or timeline revealed.
The United States is evaluating a significant investment tied to Ethiopia's upcoming Bishoftu International Airport. Frank Garcia, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, discussed the initiative with Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines' chief executive, at the State Department in Addis Ababa. The bureau stated its commitment to making American investment and technology the foundation of the project.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation plans to deploy what officials described as a sizable investment to promote lending for small and medium-sized enterprises linked to the airport and surrounding region. Officials highlighted potential economic development, job creation in both Ethiopia and the United States, and support for direct nonstop flights between the nations.
Ethiopian Airlines is developing Bishoftu International Airport as a major new aviation hub to complement operations outside Addis Ababa. The U.S. goal remains strengthening commercial aviation ties with East Africa. No proposed investment figure or start date was disclosed in available statements.
