US seeks role in Ethiopian Airlines' $12.5 billion airport project

Mark Mitchell, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of commerce for the Middle East and Africa, said Washington was "closely engaged in pushing to secure U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. push to promote exports of its AI technology.

The U.S. is seeking a role for its companies in Ethiopian Airlines' $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport project, a senior U.S. 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 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, began in January. Officials aim to make it the "Dubai of Africa" when it is completed in 2030.