Massad Boulos, a U.S. senior advisor to East Africa, has expressed support for Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport project through a symbolic donation of 10 dollars, made under the framework of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
While the contribution itself is modest, it carries diplomatic and symbolic significance. It signals growing U.S. recognition of Ethiopia’s infrastructure ambitions and highlights the potential role of international partners in advancing the country’s aviation sector.
Boulos emphasized that his donation should be seen as a gesture of solidarity rather than its monetary value. “This is about showing support for Ethiopia’s future,” he said, noting that such initiatives require collaboration from government, private sector, international partners, and the Ethiopian diaspora.
The Bishoftu International Airport is one of the largest aviation projects currently underway in Africa. Planned to ease pressure on Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, which is facing heavy congestion, Bishoftu is expected to serve tens of millions of passengers annually. The project also includes expanded cargo facilities, logistics hubs, and modern terminals to enhance Ethiopian Airlines’ growing international operations.
The United States, through the DFC, supports projects that drive economic growth, connectivity, and stability in partner countries. By associating Boulos’s gesture with the DFC framework, Washington signals its interest in Ethiopia’s long-term infrastructure development and integration with global markets.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, has consistently urged greater involvement from the diaspora and international stakeholders in its major projects. With challenges in foreign exchange and resource mobilization, external partnerships remain critical to advancing flagship infrastructure like Bishoftu International Airport.
Observers note that symbolic actions such as Boulos’s donation can create a psychological boost, encouraging diaspora communities and investors to contribute. While the amount is small, the significance lies in the message: that support for Ethiopia’s development can come in all forms and sizes.
The Bishoftu project is expected to reshape Ethiopia’s economic landscape. In addition to easing airport congestion, it will create thousands of jobs, boost tourism, attract foreign investment, and reinforce Ethiopia’s strategic role as a gateway for trade across Africa. Industry analysts believe the project will position the country to compete with other regional aviation hubs for years to come.
For Ethiopia, the involvement of figures like Massad Boulos under the DFC umbrella provides credibility and international visibility. For the United States, it reflects a continuing commitment to East Africa’s growth and stability. While the donation was symbolic, it marks another step in strengthening ties around a project considered vital for Ethiopia’s future.
