Transport and logistics in Africa have reached a major milestone. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially launched the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, located approximately 40 km southeast of Addis Ababa, in the Oromia regional state, at an altitude of 1,910 meters. The project aims to become the largest aviation hub on the continent and to profoundly transform the supply chain in Africa.
Designed to support the rapid growth of Ethiopian aviation and the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines’ global network, Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) is part of a multi-airport strategy alongside Bole International Airport, which is already nearing its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers per year. This approach aims to ensure Ethiopia maintains its position as a leading air transport gateway in Africa, capable of accommodating future growth in both regional and international traffic.
A High-Capacity Air Hub for Trade and Logistics
The first phase of the project will handle 60 million passengers per year, with eventual capacity reaching 110 million, positioning Bishoftu among the world’s major aviation hubs. The site benefits from a strategic location, combining proximity to the capital with optimal conditions for aircraft performance and efficient management of both passengers and cargo, whether for origin-destination or transit flights.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the new airport represents a significant lever for global competitiveness. It will enhance continental connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, expand commercial and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a major intercontinental hub. The infrastructure will also support the development of modern logistics solutions and the handling of substantial air cargo volumes, thereby facilitating international trade in Africa.
Impacts on Africa’s Logistics and Supply Chain Market
Bishoftu represents a paradigm shift in logistics and transport in Africa: investing in large-scale aviation infrastructure to support intra-African and international trade. A hub of this magnitude can transform supply chains, reduce transit times, and improve market access for African businesses.
The Bishoftu example could inspire other African countries to modernize their airport and logistics infrastructures, creating a positive domino effect across the sector. Combining high-performance air transport with integrated logistics infrastructure becomes a key lever to strengthen the competitiveness of African economies on the global stage.
A Strategic Vision for Africa’s Future
By investing in large-scale infrastructure, Ethiopia positions itself as a growth engine for trade and supply chains in Africa. Bishoftu International Airport, in addition to serving as a major air hub, could become a central node for goods flows, boosting regional and international exchanges and enhancing the continent’s capacity to participate fully in the global economy.
This project underscores the growing importance of logistics and transport for economic development in Africa and demonstrates that the continent is now capable of planning infrastructure at a global scale.
By the Logis-T Africa editorial team
