Ethiopian Airlines Group and Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Centre (AAICEC) have signed an equity investment agreement to establish an international convention centre in Addis Ababa to host multiple business events.

The centre, built by and named AAICEC, is one of the airline’s major national projects to transform the country’s image after it recently held a grand opening of the largest hotel on the African continent – Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian is participating in this project through equity investment to boost conferences, tourism, and trade in the country.

The project, which covers about 70 000sqm, is set to increase conference tourism in Ethiopia and is estimated to be completed by the first half of 2024.

The AAICEC will include indoor and outdoor exhibition venues, multi-purpose halls, a conference centre, auditoriums, office space, shops, a restaurant and café, and a children’s playground, amongst other facilities.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew, said: “By embarking on this equity investment with AAICEC, we have ascertained our commitment to deepen our role for the proliferation of tourism. We are glad to be part of this major national project that will increase our country’s visibility as an international conference and exhibition centre.”

Addis Ababa is also home to the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines offers connectivity from its major hub in Addis Ababa to more than 134 destinations across five continents. It deploys more than 145 aircraft.