In Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, the construction site for Ethiopian Airlines’ new headquarters is bustling with activity from the early hours of the morning. Initiated in late 2023 by a Chinese company, the project is set to become a landmark in the city upon completion in 2026. The collaborative effort between Chinese and Ethiopian workers is making a significant economic impact. Awok Fekade, an Ethiopian engineer working on the project, expressed his pride, saying, “I am honored to work on such a major project. I have learned so much from Chinese companies.”
The modern Bole International Airport expansion project, located in Addis Ababa, aims to establish Ethiopia as the largest aviation hub in East Africa. Thanks to the expansions carried out by Chinese firms, the airport’s annual passenger capacity has increased from 7 million to 30 million. Hanna Tekka, a project manager at the airport, remarked, “The dedication and efficiency of Chinese teams inspire us. These projects have significantly boosted Ethiopia’s growth in aviation and the economy.”
Another milestone of Ethiopia-China infrastructure collaboration is the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, which connects Ethiopia’s capital to Djibouti. Built with technical support from Chinese engineers, the railway has reduced freight transport time between the two cities from one week to just one day, significantly cutting trade costs. Moreover, the project has created over 5,000 local jobs and trained numerous Ethiopian engineers and train operators. Tagese Chafo, Speaker of the Ethiopian Parliament, described the railway as a “pathway of peace, development, and hope,” emphasizing how China’s contributions have played a tangible role in advancing Africa’s economic growth.