Ethiopian Airlines Group and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a letter of intent to construct a $7.8 billion airport, marking a major infrastructure milestone for Ethiopia. The new facility, set to become Africa’s largest airport, will significantly expand Ethiopia’s aviation capacity, increasing annual passenger traffic from 17 million to over 60 million by 2040.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance announced the partnership in a statement on Saturday but did not disclose the exact funding contribution from AfDB. The airport is expected to bolster Ethiopia’s position as a key aviation hub, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s role as a major transit point for international travel.

While this ambitious project aligns with Ethiopia’s long-term infrastructure and economic growth plans, questions remain about funding details, timelines, and execution challenges. We are yet to see how this massive investment unfolds and its impact on the region’s aviation sector.