Keypoints:
- Washington promotes US airport contractors
- Phase One targets 60m passengers
- Boeing and GE could gain
THE United States is stepping up efforts to place American companies in Ethiopia’s $12.5bn Bishoftu International Airport project, turning one of Africa’s biggest aviation investments into a fresh test of Washington’s commercial influence on the continent.
Mark Mitchell, US deputy assistant secretary of commerce for the Middle East and Africa, said Washington was ‘closely engaged in pushing to secure US participation’ after meetings with Ethiopian Airlines officials in Addis Ababa, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
The intervention comes as Washington seeks opportunities for American engineering, technology, finance and aviation companies while competing with China and other global powers for a larger share of Africa’s infrastructure market.
Washington mobilises US contractors
Mitchell spoke during a virtual briefing from the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium. He did not identify any American company that had secured a contract or disclose which parts of the project were under discussion.
However, the US Commerce Department has already built a formal pathway for American businesses interested in Bishoftu. Its Commercial Service organised a matchmaking programme linking US firms with prime contractors and international partners as the airport moved towards procurement.
The programme highlighted opportunities in construction, engineering, passenger processing, baggage handling, security, cargo logistics, energy systems, information technology and financial services.
The effort shows Washington is actively trying to convert Ethiopia’s infrastructure expansion into contracts for US suppliers, although no major award has been announced.
Airport plan enters decisive phase
Ethiopian Airlines formally began construction at Bishoftu on January 10, around 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa.
As Africa Briefing reported when Ethiopia launched the $12.5bn mega-airport, the project is intended to ease pressure on Bole International Airport and support the carrier’s expanding passenger and cargo network.
Phase One is expected to be completed in 2030 and will have capacity for 60 million passengers annually. The long-term masterplan envisages an eventual capacity of 110 million passengers, with two runways initially and another two planned later.
Ethiopian Airlines says it will provide 30 percent of the Phase One cost through equity and seek debt financing for the remaining 70 percent.
Boeing and GE see opening
Mitchell said US participation could lead to ‘more Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines’, tying the infrastructure push to Washington’s export strategy.
Ethiopian Airlines already has substantial commercial links with both companies. In April, the carrier converted options for six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into firm orders.
The airline has also selected GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines for new Boeing 787 aircraft and GE9X engines for its planned 777X fleet. Those relationships give American manufacturers an established position as Ethiopian Airlines expands its fleet alongside the new hub.
Africa Briefing’s report on Ethiopia’s six additional Boeing 787-9 jets noted that the aircraft form part of a wider effort to increase long-haul capacity.
Financing carries geopolitical weight
The African Development Bank has earmarked up to $500 million for the airport, subject to board approval. Reuters reported that the bank is leading efforts to raise $8.7bn.
An earlier US Commerce Department market note said the US International Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank had shown interest in financing the project.
The August 2025 note said DFC had indicated possible support of $1bn in financing and $1bn in political-risk insurance, based on an assumption that Chinese companies would not participate.
That was an expression of possible support, not a final financing commitment or confirmed project condition. Nevertheless, it illustrates how Bishoftu could become part of the wider US–China contest over infrastructure finance and commercial influence in Africa.
Ethiopia’s earlier AfDB airport financing partnership has evolved as the project’s cost and funding structure have expanded, making access to affordable long-term capital a central challenge.
AI push widens US engagement
Mitchell also said the Commerce Department wanted closer relations with the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute as part of a broader drive to promote American AI exports.
The AI initiative was not presented as part of the airport project. It nevertheless shows that Washington’s commercial engagement with Ethiopia extends beyond aviation into emerging technology.
What happens next?
The key test is whether US advocacy produces binding finance, successful bids or additional aircraft and engine orders.
For Ethiopia, the priority will be maintaining competition among potential partners while securing sustainable funding and meaningful local economic benefits.
Bishoftu may become a showcase for American commercial diplomacy, but Washington has yet to turn its interest into a publicly confirmed airport contract.
