U.S. Int'l Development Finance Corporation Officials, Finance Minister Discuss about Strengthening Partnership on Strategic Investments

Addis Ababa, October 17, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and senior U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) officials have held discussion about exploring and advancing financial cooperation for Ethiopia's new international airport project.

The project is designed to support Ethiopia’s expanding aviation sector and broader economic development goals.

Officials of the two countries discussed opportunities for collaboration to finance the new airport project on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The proposed project is expected to significantly expand passenger service and enhance cargo capacity, ease congestion at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, and serve as a key logistics hub for the Horn of Africa.

The DFC officials expressed strong interest in supporting the project through potential financing, investment guarantees, and partnerships with U.S. private sector firms in airport development, supply, engineering, and construction, it was learned.

“We welcome DFC’s engagement in Ethiopia’s transport infrastructure, particularly in the aviation sector, which is critical to our national development and regional competitiveness,” Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said on the occasion.

According to him, the “meeting marks an important step in building strong partnerships that deliver long-term benefits for our people and economy.”

Both parties agreed to continue discussions to develop a viable financing structure for the new international airport.

The meeting underscored the shared vision of a robust partnership that leverages U.S. financing to drive Ethiopia’s economic transformation.

Discussions also covered ongoing and future projects, with a mutual interest in scaling up investments that deliver measurable community and economic benefits.

This engagement builds on DFC’s broader strategy in Africa, which focuses on strengthening partnerships with key governments to catalyze high-impact investments, unlocking private capital flows, and expanding access to critical infrastructure and essential services.