The European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering financing Ethiopia’s planned new international airport, a move that signals deepening engagement in the country’s infrastructure ambitions. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify development and investment cooperation.

During the discussion, Minister Ahmed Shide expressed appreciation for the EIB’s sustained backing of Ethiopia’s priority areas, particularly SME financing, water and sanitation, and women’s entrepreneurship development. These sectors are widely seen as pivotal to the country’s economic and social transformation.

Fayolle reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s long-term development goals, noting that EIB is now exploring options to contribute to the financing of the planned international airport, which is expected to serve as a major logistics and investment hub for the Horn of Africa.

Both parties agreed to deepen their collaboration, with additional sectoral discussions expected during the upcoming visit of senior EIB officials to Ethiopia.