US-China rivalry takes flight over scramble for contracts at Ethiopia’s Bishoftu airport

Ethiopia's ambitious US$12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport project is drawing global attention, positioning the nation at the center of a geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China. The massive airport, located southeast of Addis Ababa, is being developed by Ethiopian Airlines to become a key hub for African trade and travel.

The project has sparked intense competition among international contractors, with Chinese state-owned enterprises and joint ventures securing roughly half of the shortlisted bids for civil works. Companies like China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Road and Bridge Corporation are prominent contenders, underscoring Beijing's significant influence in Ethiopia's infrastructure development.

While major American construction firms did not make the civil works shortlist, the White House is actively pursuing opportunities for U.S. companies like Boeing and GE to secure future contracts for technology and equipment. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, Mark Mitchell, stated last month that Washington is "closely engaged in pushing to secure strong United States participation" in the project.

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closely engaged in pushing to secure strong United States participation