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Mayor Adanech Abebe Hands Over Modern Trading Sheds to Women Vendors in Lideta Sub City
Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe has handed over newly constructed, modern trading sheds to women vendors in Lideta Sub City who were previously engaged in informal street vending, commonly known as gulit trading.
According to a message shared on the mayor’s official social media page, the city administration built standard compliant trading sheds and provided essential business inputs to women who had long earned their livelihoods by selling goods along roadsides, often exposed to harsh weather conditions. The handover ceremony took place on Saturday in Lideta Sub City.
Mayor Adanech said the beneficiaries are women who for many years worked under difficult outdoor conditions to support their families and educate their children. She described the transition from street vending to organized market spaces as a step toward restoring dignity and improving livelihoods.
The initiative was implemented as part of Addis Ababa’s ongoing corridor development projects. Informal street vending activities in the area were relocated, and a modern, well equipped market space was developed and officially handed over to the vendors.
To ensure business sustainability, the city administration has established a long term market linkage with the Lafto Market Center to secure consistent product supply and reduce shortages. The newly developed trading area also includes paved grounds, parking facilities, a cafeteria, and adequate sanitation services.
The mayor called on residents to support the women by purchasing goods from the new market and utilizing the improved facilities. She said the project reflects the city administration’s commitment to people centered development.
Gulits are traditional street based retail businesses found across Ethiopia, with roots tracing back to the period following the Italian occupation. They are typically owned and operated by women who sell fresh vegetables and basic food items to local communities. Gulits play a key role in the distribution of fresh produce, linking farmers and larger traders to urban and rural consumers.
Despite their importance to household food supply, gulit businesses operate informally and are often vulnerable to eviction or displacement by local authorities. In Addis Ababa, while they support daily consumption for many families, informal street vending has also posed challenges related to urban order and sanitation.
The mayor called on residents to purchase goods from the women vendors, noting that the products they sell are perishable and require timely consumption to prevent loss and ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods.
City officials say the introduction of modern trading sheds aims to address these challenges by improving working conditions for vendors while contributing to better city management and cleanliness.
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