Ethiopia Could Sell Airline Hotel, Airports in Investor Hunt

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An Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner jet is pictured ahead of its take off on April 27, 2013, at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport. The carrier became the first airline to resume flying the Boeing 787 that were grounded worldwide three months ago due to battery problems. Saturday's flight will travel from Addis Ababa to Nairobi and is expected to return in the evening. The remaining three of Ethiopia's Dreaminers will also be retrofitted with a new battery that is contained, ensuring the flight can continue in case of malfuntion. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said he was very happy to be the first airline in the world to resume flight after a three month grounding of the 50-strong fleet. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's fastest growing carrier, is the first airline in Africa to operate the 787 Dreamliner. AFP PHOTO/JENNY VAUGHAN. (Photo credit should read JENNY VAUGHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise is emerging as the flag bearer of plans by Africa’s fastest-growing economy to open up to foreign investors after decades as a closed shop.

While new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ruling Politburo has said a minority stake in the continent’s largest carrier could be up for grabs, Chief Executive Officer Tewolde GebreMariam now adds that related assets such as airports and a five-star hotel could also be sold off. That would give investors an opportunity to take ownership in businesses that were nationalized in the 1980s under the former Communist Derg regime.

Ethiopia needs about $7.5 billion to finish current infrastructure projects and is also battling foreign-exchange shortages, Abiy said earlier this month. The sale of airline-owned real estate may be easier and quicker than, for example, a privatization of the much coveted Ethio Telecom monopoly, which the Horn of Africa nation plans to split in two and sell down following two years of study. Railways, sugar mills and power-generation companies will also be considered for stake sales.

SOURCE: BLOOMBERG

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