Addis Ababa’s Prosperity Lies in Transforming Untapped Areas Into Development Hubs, Mayor Adanech Says
Addis Ababa, May 18, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie said the city’s prosperity journey is being driven not only by beautification projects in the capital’s center, but also by transforming previously neglected and underutilized areas into thriving centers of development and economic activity.
In a message shared on her social media page captioned “Gelan Gura, Legacy of Prosperity,” the mayor said the city administration is undertaking extensive efforts aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents and expanding development beyond the traditional urban core.
She emphasized that the breadth and depth of the city’s prosperity journey is measured not only by improving and beautifying the heart of the capital, but also by identifying underutilized areas and converting them into engines of growth and structural transformation.
Mayor Adanech noted that the Gelan Gura area, which she said had no visible infrastructure five years ago, has now undergone a major transformation and emerged as a key center of economic and social activity, reflecting the city’s broader development progress.
She stated that the developments in the area go beyond industrial expansion, representing a full transformation of both the physical landscape and the lives of local residents.
Highlighting key projects implemented in the area, the mayor cited the construction of Addis Ababa’s longest and largest modern bridge, measuring 325 meters in length and 60 meters in width.
She also pointed to the development of a 21.73-kilometer modern road corridor connecting Kaliti Roundabout with Tuludimtu and Kilinto Square, which strengthens the city’s trade route and provides direct linkage to air cargo services.
The mayor further noted that 60,000 condominium housing units are under construction in the area, describing the scale as equivalent to building a new city aimed at easing Addis Ababa’s housing shortage.
She added that a modern integrated residential village has been constructed for residents relocated from the Kazanchis area as part of redevelopment efforts.
Other major developments include the Gelan Trauma Hospital, which she described as the largest trauma hospital in Addis Ababa, an integrated agricultural excellence center established for farmers who released land for the project, as well as large green areas and parks designed to enhance environmental quality and urban livability.
She also highlighted the construction of a bakery factory aimed at creating employment opportunities, particularly for women and mothers.
According to the mayor, these combined projects have transformed Gelan Gura into a major development hub and a strong example of Addis Ababa’s broader prosperity and urban transformation agenda.