Al Khayyat Family Bids for $12.5B Ethiopian Airport Project

The Al Khayyat family, known for their ownership of a prominent Qatari conglomerate, is leading a bid for Ethiopia's ambitious $12.5 billion airport project located near Addis Ababa. This landmark initiative is designed to establish Ethiopia as the largest aviation hub in East Africa.

The bid is being executed through UCC, a construction subsidiary, with Boyd Merrett serving as the Chief Executive Officer. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.

This project is part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to expand Ethiopian Airlines, which is currently the largest carrier in Africa, beyond its national borders. The Al Khayyat family has also been involved in various infrastructure projects across Africa, including energy and agricultural developments, reflecting a growing investor confidence in the continent's infrastructure sector.