With a legacy that dates back to 1946, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services (Ethiopian Cargo) is the air freight arm of the Ethiopian Airlines Group and the largest cargo operator in Africa. What began with a single charter flight to Nairobi has evolved into a strategically vital logistics powerhouse, enabling trade across Africa and beyond. Serving more than 70 dedicated cargo destinations and over 145 international points across its global network, Ethiopian Cargo plays a pivotal role in connecting Africa to major trade lanes worldwide. Its comprehensive portfolio spans general cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, live animals, dangerous goods, valuables, and specialized charters, each supported by purpose-built infrastructure and expert handling. Today, Ethiopian Cargo stands at the forefront of modern air freight, driven by sustained investment in advanced freighter aircraft, digital cargo management systems, and one of the continent’s most sophisticated cargo terminals.
As Ethiopian Cargo continues to grow and evolve, it proudly upholds its position as the largest network operator in Africa, driven by a thoughtful investment program and dedication to operational excellence. Transportation & Logistics International sits down with Dereje Derero, Managing Director, to learn more about the company’s latest investments and developments, as well as discover what future years might hold. Dereje begins by sharing some of Ethiopian Cargo’s most recent projects and strategic investments.
“As the largest network operator serving Africa, our initiatives are designed to strengthen Ethiopia’s local products export and logistics ecosystem. We focus on supporting exports such as agriproducts, perishables, textiles, and manufactured goods by ensuring reliable capacity, competitive pricing, and faster access to global markets via our service network reach. Dedicated flights, export corridors, and guaranteed space agreements help Ethiopian producers reach Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas with consistent lead times,” he details.
“Operationally, these projects are backed by targeted investments in cold-chain infrastructure and priority handling processes at Addis Ababa for locally produced goods. Close coordination with exporters, freight forwarders, and government stakeholders enables smoother export flows, reduced dwelling times, and synchronized alignment between production cycles and flight departure schedules from Bole international airport.”
Situated in the heart of Addis Ababa, both Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Cargo are at the center of Ethiopia’s bustling import/export market. Presently, the company’s main operational hub is at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which has been the main focal area for recent strategic investments, set to modernize operations and further improve efficiency.
“Ethiopian Airlines has made substantial investments in its primary hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, transforming it into a world-class cargo gateway. The Cargo Terminal II, designed with 600 thousand tons higher throughput capacity per annum, is fitted with advanced warehouse automation,” Dereje elaborates.
Passenger-to-Freighter
Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to launch a Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion line at its MRO facilities in Addis Ababa, near Bole International Airport, is driven by a combination of strategic, operational, and economic factors. The capability – developed in partnership with OEMs and approved MROs holding the required modification approval for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) – goes beyond creating an additional revenue stream from third-party MRO services. It allows Ethiopian Airlines to rapidly increase cargo capacity at a significantly lower capital cost than acquiring new freighters, particularly at a time when global aircraft delivery slots are highly constrained.
Converting passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 767 also extends asset life while providing right-sized capacity for medium-haul and intra-African routes, where larger wide body freighters can be operationally and economically inefficient. Establishing this conversion capability in Addis Ababa further enhances operational control and fleet flexibility. In-house conversions reduce aircraft downtime, improve maintenance planning, and ensure aircraft are configured precisely to meet Ethiopian Cargo’s operational requirements. So far, three Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 767 passenger aircraft have been converted into full freighters under this program and have joined the airline’s dedicated cargo fleet.
In terms of infrastructure improvements, Ethiopian Cargo is also undertaking another major, long-term investment with the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, which will significantly increase the company’s cargo handling capacity and relieve congestion at Addis Ababa.
“The planned Bishoftu International Airport construction, with specialized handling zones for perishables, pharmaceuticals, lithium batteries, and live cargo, signifies a transformational expansion of Ethiopia’s aviation infrastructure. Once completed, it will feature ultra-modern cargo facilities, additional runways capable of accommodating the largest freighters, and automated logistics systems designed to support both regional and intercontinental trade flows,” Dereje says.
“The new airport is expected to complement Bole’s existing capacity, allowing Ethiopian Airlines to scale operations, enhance reliability, and meet growing demand across e-commerce, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other specialized cargo verticals. Together, these investments position Ethiopia not just as a transit hub, but as a strategic gateway connecting Africa to the world.”
With a robust investment program in place, a skilled and dedicated team, and operational improvements, Ethiopian Cargo’s efficiency and influence will continue to be recognized across the continent – and on an international scale. The company was recently awarded the title of African Cargo Airline of the Year at the 2025 Air Cargo Africa Awards – an achievement that’s representative of its exceptional ethos and service delivery.
“Being recognized as the African Cargo Airline of the Year is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Ethiopian Cargo team,” Dereje comments. “This recognition emphasizes our commitment to excellence and motivates us to continue expanding our global cargo network, investing in infrastructure, fleet modernization, and providing world-class services to our customers.”
Building on its existing legacy, the company is well-positioned for many more decades of market leadership, as it continues to grow, evolve, and scale operations to new heights.
“Our priorities for 2026 are centered around strengthening our operational capability, expanding our network, and accelerating infrastructure development. We will continue to enhance cargo capacity through fleet modernization and targeted route expansion to support growing demand across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. At the same time, we will accelerate our digital transformation to enhance cargo handling efficiency, shipment visibility, and overall customer experience through advanced technologies and deeper system integration. Alongside digitalization, talent development and operational excellence will remain central pillars, ensuring the consistent delivery of reliable, competitive, and world-class cargo services.
“In five years, Ethiopian Cargo aims to be firmly established as a top global cargo airline – not only by scale but by the quality, reliability, and digital maturity of its services across its service network. The ambition is to move beyond being Africa’s largest cargo operator to become a preferred logistics partner for global trade and logistics, and to facilitate specialized supply chains connecting major air cargo gateways across the world.
“Ethiopian Cargo remains firmly committed to innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric growth. As global supply chains evolve, we are investing in digital solutions, and expanded service offerings to ensure we continue meeting the needs of our partners across diverse industries,” Dereje reaffirms, concluding our conversation. “We are also focused on strengthening our talent pipeline and enhancing training capabilities at the Ethiopian Aviation University, ensuring we have the skilled workforce required to support our long-term growth. Ultimately, our goal is to continue driving value for our customers, supporting Africa’s economic development, and advancing Ethiopia’s position as a leading global logistics hub.”
