In a ceremony held on November 25, 2009 at Gallagher Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ethiopian Airlines won the 2009 NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Award. According to NEPAD, the airline was honored as an institution in Africa that contributed to the development of transport infrastructure in the continent in line with the aims and objectives of NEPAD and the African Union. The development of transport infrastructure is seen as an important component and a prelude to regional integration. The contribution of Ethiopian Airlines in facilitating the regional integration through its long-standing motto "Brining Africa Together" and its continuous effort to build modern infrastructure has helped it stand out among its African compatriots.

Dr John Tambi, NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Expert presented the award trophy to Mr. Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines at the gala dinner held at the Gallagher Convention Center in Johannesburg.

Ethiopian Airlines has currently embarked on rapid growth strategy, investing in various infrastructure developments to support the growing passenger and cargo business. In the last five years, the airline has made huge infrastructure investments. Some of the projects carried out by the airline were the construction of the state-of-the-art Cargo Terminal and Maintenance Hangar as well as the purchase of B737-7/800 New Generation Simulator.

The NEPAD Secretariat launched the annual NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Projects of Excellence Awards to recognize and honor those who have contributed largely to the success of the program in the Transport Infrastructure sector. NEPAD (the New Partnership for Africa's Development) was launched in 2001 by the President's of Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa as a vision for the African Renaissance and the continent's renewal.