Mekelle Prepares for Corridor Development as Part of Nationwide Urban Initiative, With Focus on Green Spaces and Urban Agriculture
Horn News Hub | Mekelle, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
A corridor development project is expected to be implemented in Mekelle as part of the national urban corridor initiative led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). Local officials and supporters say the city will draw on lessons from Addis Ababa and other major Ethiopian cities where corridor works have already been carried out.
A national initiative reaching Mekelle
The corridor program began as a nationwide effort to renew urban centers. In a statement shared on his social media channels in January 2026, the Prime Minister described it as a commitment to inclusive, sustainable and people centered urban transformation, covering urban mobility, public spaces, local economies and environmental resilience. Media reports have described the program as going beyond road building, with works in several regional cities including roads, green spaces, public squares, lighting and wider sidewalks.
Mekelle is now being positioned to benefit from the same approach. Specific details such as the length of the corridor, the budget, the construction schedule and the implementing institutions have not been made public in the material reviewed by Horn News Hub.
Calls for a distinct Tigrayan character
A social media post circulating in Mekelle calls on residents to ensure that the city’s corridor reflects its own identity rather than copying other places. It says that, just as parts of the Addis Ababa corridor carry a distinct character, Mekelle’s should reflect Tigray as a people of history, hard work and resilience.
The post proposes that urban agriculture be built into the corridor. Its suggestions include green spaces and gardens along the route, fresh local produce showcased for residents and visitors, and clean, productive public spaces. It describes the aim as a corridor that feeds, beautifies and inspires, and a city that is modern, green and Tigrayan in spirit.
The post also expresses support for the Mayor of Mekelle, Dr. Shishay, and Eng. Tsegazeab, saying their leadership is steering the city toward a brighter future.
Context of past exclusion from development projects
Supporters of the initiative in Tigray say the region was left out of federal development projects for years, and some attribute this to the former TPLF leadership. These views are part of a wider political debate in Tigray and Ethiopia about responsibility for the region’s development record, and the TPLF has not been cited in this report. Tigray has also faced major reconstruction needs since the war in northern Ethiopia that ended with the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022.
What remains to be clarified
Residents and observers are expected to look for official clarification on the corridor’s route, the handling of affected property owners and businesses, the funding sources, and how urban agriculture and green space proposals will be incorporated. Horn News Hub will continue to follow the project as further information is released by the Mekelle City Administration and federal authorities.
