Qatari billionaire Al‑Khayyat family’s investment vehicle, Power International Holding, has entered the African infrastructure arena with bids for a major Ethiopian airport and a key road project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The moves signal the family’s ambition to translate its Gulf‑based capital into long‑term, continent‑wide assets.

Ethiopia’s aviation sector has attracted global interest as passenger volumes climb and the government seeks to upgrade facilities to match its growth trajectory. Securing the airport contract would give Power International a foothold in a market where China, Turkey and European firms already compete for construction and management rights.

In the Congo, the targeted road links mineral‑rich provinces to export corridors, a route that could boost freight efficiency and government revenues. By pursuing the concession, Power International aims to diversify its portfolio beyond aviation, tapping into the DRC’s infrastructure deficit that has long deterred private investors.

If the bids succeed, Power International would join a small but growing group of Gulf investors establishing a physical presence in Africa’s transport sector. The deals could unlock financing pipelines, encourage ancillary service markets and provide a template for future private‑sector participation in regions where state funding remains constrained.