Addis Ababa registered unprecedented urban transformation across infrastructure, services, and social dev’t in 5 years – Mayor

Addis Ababa, May 27, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie said the capital has undergone an unprecedented urban transformation over the past five years, marked by extensive expansion in infrastructure, public services, housing, industry, and social development.

In a message shared on her social media page, the Mayor described the period as a “development revolution,” noting that the city’s progress has been reflected in the implementation and inauguration of large-scale projects across multiple sectors.

She further stated that in the past 10 days alone, 11 major development projects have been completed and opened for public service, highlighting the accelerating pace of urban transformation in the capital.

The initiatives span key sectors aimed at expanding economic opportunities, improving livelihoods, and strengthening public service delivery.

In the industrial and job creation sector, the Gelan Gura Industrial Park has been inaugurated and opened for service. The facility is expected to create employment opportunities for more than 20,000 citizens, contributing to the city’s industrial growth.

In housing and social welfare, three welfare villages located in Kolfe Keranio and Yeka sub-cities have been handed over to intended beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, as part of ongoing social support programs.

Public recreation and urban livability have also expanded significantly. Riverside and public parks developed on 30,000 square meters in Addis Ketema Sub-city (Asko Addis Sefer) and on 18 hectares in Lemi Kura Sub-city have been inaugurated, providing inclusive spaces for children, youth, and the elderly.

Efforts to stabilize the cost of living and expand access to essential goods also continue, with the inauguration of the 7th Lemi Multipurpose Shopping Center as part of broader market development initiatives.

Similarly, the Adwa Shopping Center and a modern transportation terminal—described as the first of their kind—have been inaugurated and opened for public service. Commercial spaces within the complex, including shops and cafeterias, have been allocated to developers of the plaza.

An integrated urban agricultural center built on three hectares in Lemi Kura Sub-city, comprising 16 shops and 18 sheds, has also been opened, strengthening urban food supply and small-scale commercial activity.

In the sports and youth development sector, the Lemi Community Stadium in Bole Sub-city has been completed. The facility includes five sports halls, 95 children’s playgrounds, six daycare centers, cafeterias, and amphitheaters, and is now serving as a multifunctional space for community engagement.

In the education sector, two schools and three daycare centers constructed in Lideta Sub-city have been inaugurated, aimed at expanding access to foundational education and early childhood learning.

In addition, 400 beneficiaries of the Tesfa Berhan Feeding Centers have received startup capital and working materials, enabling them to transition into income-generating activities and sustainable livelihoods.

In the digital governance sector, the 7th Addis Mesob One-Stop Center Digital Government Service has been inaugurated in Nefas Silk-Lafto Sub-city, aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility of public services through integrated systems.

In the health sector, the Lafto Specialized Hospital—described as the first of its kind in East Africa and powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology—is reportedly ready for inauguration, marking a milestone in the modernization of healthcare services in the capital.

Addressing claims that the timing of the projects may be politically motivated, Mayor Adanech said development cannot be undertaken for electoral purposes if it was not already in motion, emphasizing that completed projects ultimately serve the public regardless of timing.