ADDIS ABABA, Aug 23 – Chinese construction companies have emerged as major contenders for the construction of Ethiopian Airlines’ planned $12.5 billion airport, as the carrier moves closer to selecting contractors for the multibillion-dollar aviation project.
Ethiopian Airlines said several Chinese companies and Chinese-led joint ventures were among 33 firms and consortia shortlisted for construction contracts covering the airport terminal, support infrastructure, airfield and connecting roads. The shortlisted bidders will now proceed to the tender stage.
Chinese companies or ventures led by Chinese firms accounted for 15 of the 33 shortlisted entries, highlighting the strong presence of Chinese contractors in one of Africa’s largest planned infrastructure projects.
The companies include China Communications Construction Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, China Road and Bridge Corporation and Beijing Urban Construction Group. They will compete against international groups including Italy’s Webuild, France’s Vinci, South Korea’s Samsung C&T and Turkey’s Kalyon and IC Ictas.
The airport is planned for construction southeast of Addis Ababa and is intended to relieve pressure on Bole International Airport, Ethiopian Airlines’ existing hub. Once completed, the new facility is expected to accommodate as many as 110 million passengers annually.
Ethiopian Airlines awarded the airport’s design contract in January, moving the project closer to its construction phase. Ethiopian officials have said the facility is expected to become Africa’s largest airport when it is completed, with a target completion date of 2030.
The scale of the project reflects Ethiopia’s ambition to expand its position as a major aviation hub connecting Africa with international markets. Ethiopian Airlines has built one of the continent’s largest aviation networks, making additional airport capacity increasingly important as passenger and cargo traffic grows.
Financing is also being arranged for the development, with the African Development Bank involved in the funding process and expected to contribute $500 million to the project.
The airport project forms part of a broader expansion of aviation infrastructure across East Africa. Kenya and Rwanda are also investing in airport and aviation capacity as governments seek to support tourism, passenger travel and regional trade.
