Ethiopian Airlines and Citi Sign a USD $450 Million Loan Agreement for Five New Aircraft

ADDIS ABABA and LONDON - Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, today announce a landmark USD $450 million loan agreement that will finance five new Boeing aircraft: three Boeing 737-8 and two Boeing 777F (Cargo). 

The loan will be secured against the value of the five planes and has been arranged exclusively by Citi’s Corporate Banking and Export Agency and Finance teams. It is guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). 

Ethiopian Airlines is a longstanding client of Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) business, and their support and partnership have been instrumental to reaching the deal. Different parts of the bank, all working together, reflect Citi’s unique ability to offer different banking services to clients with cross border needs. 

The USD $450 million loan is Citi’s largest aircraft financing in Ethiopia within the last decade and will help support both the bank’s bid to increase its footprint in the region, and the airline’s ambitious growth plan. 

The five new aircraft will bolster Ethiopian Airline’s fleet to 150 in total and delivery of all the aircraft will be completed in the U.S. state of Washington in December. The new arrivals will help Ethiopian serve all its destinations by accelerating its expansion throughout the world and will further bolster Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services’ position as Africa’s largest cargo network operator. Ethiopian Airlines has ambitions to grow its fleet to over 270 aircraft by 2035.  

Lauding the long-standing partnership of the two parties, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, "We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Citi to secure a USD $450 million loan. This financing will allow us to expand our fleet size by adding five new aircraft, three B737-8 MAXs and two 777 Freighter. We are grateful for the mutually beneficial partnership we have established with Citi and look forward to further strengthening it. Fleet expansion being one of our strategic growth pillars, we will continue expanding and modernizing our fleet size so as to grow our business and reach new markets.” 

Akin Dawodu, Citi Sub Saharan Africa Head, commented, “Citi has been serving Ethiopian Airlines for many decades, and we are pleased to support its growth with financing for five new aircraft. A lot of work has gone into getting this deal off the ground, and it is thanks to Citi’s strong relationships and connectivity both within the country and across our global network that we have been able to make it happen. Both our Banking and Treasury and Trade Solutions partners were instrumental in the delivery of this deal, and I would like to thank all teams for their collaboration.” 

Citi has been working with Ethiopian Airlines for 45 years, supporting the airline’s treasury operations and working capital management in 27 countries across five continents. Citi’s unrivalled global network will continue to support Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and beyond.  

Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s most successful indigenous companies, plays a critical role in the country’s rapid economic growth by promoting tourism, facilitating import export of the country. Ethiopian has created Africa-wide and transcontinental networks flying to 135 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 63 African cities. On top of the belly hold capacity, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services covers 67 dedicated Freighter services deploying 17 freighter aircraft.   

The end of this year marks Citi’s 70th year working with Ethiopian clients. Commencing its activities in 1953, Citi remains the only, U.S. bank providing correspondent banking services to financial institutions in Ethiopia which enables Ethiopian corporates and persons to access U.S. dollars. 

Ethiopia is one of Citi’s 63 hub-managed countries worldwide. Hub-managed countries are countries where Citi might not have a physical office, but it does have a strong, strategic presence and a wealth of expertise and talent to offer clients. 

About Citi 

Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in nearly 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. 

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi 

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline, has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. As a multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in various coveted awards including the recent five prestigious accolades at the SKYTRAX 2023 World Airline Awards, and ‘Best Overall in Africa Award’ at the 2023 APEX Passenger Choice Awards among others. A Star Alliance member since 2011, Ethiopian has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years.  For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com     

Media Contacts

Citi: Victoria Durman, victoria.durman@citi.com  

Ethiopian Airlines Group: CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com; (251-11)517-8913/8165/8907