The US is seeking a role for its companies in Ethiopian Airlines’ $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport project, a senior US Commerce Department official said on Wednesday, as Washington vies with China and other powers for infrastructure and investment influence in Africa.
Work on the four-runway airport, about 45km (28 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, began in January. Officials aim to make it the “Dubai of Africa” when it is completed in 2030.
- 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” in the Bishoftu project.
- Mitchell made the remarks during a virtual press briefing from the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium in Addis Ababa, where he said he had meetings with Ethiopian Airlines officials.
- He did not specify what role U.S. companies could play in the project, but said it could lead to “more Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines”.
- Ethiopian Airlines in April agreed to buy six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, on top of 20 jets already ordered.
- The African Development Bank has pledged $500 million to the project and is leading efforts to raise $8.7 billion.
- Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Mesfin Tasew said in April that US financial institutions had “expressed interest” in participating in the project.
- Mitchell also said the Commerce Department was seeking closer ties with Ethiopia’s Artificial Intelligence Institute as part of a US push to promote exports of its AI technology.
