Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has emerged as one of Africa's leading air freight hubs, driven by Ethiopian Airlines Cargo & Logistics Services, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

The airport specialises in time-critical and temperature-sensitive cargo including flowers, pharmaceuticals, electronics and e-commerce shipments. Advanced cold storage and digital systems support its role as a pan-African consolidation hub.

Bole benefits from a central geographic position between Europe, Asia and Africa, making it attractive for global distribution. Rising intra-African trade under AfCFTA and demand for reliable alternatives to congested routes have reinforced its importance.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo has invested heavily in freighters and infrastructure, enabling Addis Ababa to handle flows such as Kenyan flowers, West African seafood and Southern African pharmaceuticals bound for global markets.

Capacity constraints remain a challenge, with apron congestion, slot availability and landside access issues. Expansion plans, including a new mega-airport outside Addis Ababa, have yet to be finalised.

Competition is intensifying from Nairobi, Johannesburg and Lagos, which are upgrading cargo facilities. Analysts said Bole's advantage is strong but not unassailable.

Efficient customs and reliable surface transport are critical to sustaining growth. Ethiopia has made progress in trade facilitation, but further improvements are needed to maintain competitiveness.

Looking ahead, Bole is expected to remain central to African air freight as supply chains regionalise and e-commerce expands. With investment and policy support, it could consolidate its position as one of the world's most influential logistics hubs.