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Addis Ababa Advances Urban Transformation, Green Expansion, and Economic Activity, Mayor Reports
Addis Ababa’s city administration has reported significant progress in urban development, environmental restoration, job creation, and tourism growth over the past six months, according to a performance briefing presented to the City Council by Mayor Adanech Abiebie.
The report was delivered during the Second Regular Session of the City Council’s Fifth Year Term, held at the Adwa Victory Memorial, where the mayor outlined achievements under the 2018 fiscal year plan.
A central focus of the briefing was the city’s large scale corridor and riverside development program.
Mayor Adanech stated that eight riverside development projects covering a total of 48 kilometers are currently underway across Addis Ababa, spanning approximately 3,000 hectares of land. These projects are designed to reshape the city’s river corridors into accessible public spaces while improving environmental quality and urban mobility.
Among the major corridors already completed and opened to the public are the Arat Killo to Shiromeda corridor, the Sawzget to Megena to Meskel Square corridor, the Sarbet to Karl Square to Abo Mazoria to Lafto to Furi corridor, and the CMC to Semit to Goro to Bole VIP corridor. Ongoing projects include the 25 kilometer Entoto Peacock to Karamara Dildey corridor, the 20 kilometer Kebena Ginfil corridor, and development along the Qurtumi riverside. According to the city administration, these areas are being developed as green, health oriented, and tourism friendly urban zones.
The mayor also reported the completion of several public facilities, including Arada Park, Arat Killo Park, a market center, and the Del Plaza car park, which are now open for public use. City officials describe these projects as part of a broader effort to enhance Addis Ababa’s competitiveness, livability, and attractiveness to residents and visitors.
Environmental improvement was another key area highlighted in the report. Mayor Adanech stated that Addis Ababa’s urban green coverage has increased from 18 percent in 2016 to 22 percent within the past six months. She attributed the growth to structured planning, development, and protection of green spaces, positioning it as part of the administration’s long term sustainability agenda.
On the economic front, the city administration reported the creation of more than 195,000 permanent jobs over the same six month period. According to the mayor, this figure represents 109 percent of the planned employment target, indicating that job creation initiatives exceeded expectations. The report emphasized that the focus has been on generating sustainable employment opportunities for city residents.
Tourism and event based economic activity also featured prominently in the briefing. Mayor Adanech told council members that Addis Ababa hosted approximately 150 international and continental events during the past six months, a 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year. These included conferences, cultural festivals, religious events, and sports and health tourism activities.
The city initially projected 4.7 million domestic tourist visits during the period but recorded 4.9 million, surpassing the target. International arrivals reached nearly 700,000, reflecting a 15 percent year on year increase. According to the city administration, the expansion of tourist destinations and improvements in urban infrastructure have contributed to the steady rise in visitor numbers.
As a result of this increased activity, the mayor reported that Addis Ababa generated approximately 155 billion birr in revenue for the national economy over the six month period. She noted that ongoing development projects aimed at positioning the capital as a hub for conference and diplomatic tourism are beginning to deliver measurable economic returns.
The City Council session continues with deliberations on the performance report, as council members review progress against planned targets and assess the sustainability and inclusiveness of the city’s rapid urban transformation.
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