Addis Ababa Shares Its Urban Transformation Experience with African Mayors, Puts Early Childhood Development at the Center
Addis Ababa, October 14, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa is sharing its urban transformation experience with mayors and city leaders from across Africa, showcasing how investments in infrastructure, public services and early childhood development can help build more inclusive, livable cities for future generations.
The experience-sharing initiative is taking place during the 2026 African Mayors Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Mayors Leadership Forum, hosted in Addis Ababa for the second time, bringing together more than 55 mayors from African cities and over 15 mayors from Ethiopian cities.
Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie said the city was translating the forward-looking vision of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed into tangible development results through investments in transport, housing, technology-enabled public services and the well-being of future generations.
Through field visits to the capital’s development initiatives, participating mayors and other stakeholders are gaining insights into Addis Ababa’s transformation journey, offering opportunities to exchange experiences, learn from one another and explore approaches to urban development that could benefit cities across Africa and beyond.
Mayor Adanech said Addis Ababa was building on its own financial and knowledge capacities to advance its development agenda. She noted that the city’s capacity to collect revenue had been increasing by 50 percent annually, enabling it to strengthen its ability to finance development priorities.
She stressed that sustained attention to early childhood development is essential to nurturing a healthy, capable and responsible generation. The city is therefore linking infrastructure development with children’s growth, safety, education and well-being, placing their needs at the heart of its urban development agenda.
The mayor reaffirmed Addis Ababa’s ambition to become Africa’s best city in which to raise children, underscoring the importance of designing urban spaces and services around the needs of children and families.
As part of the forum, Mayor Adanech and AMALI leaders and participants inaugurated a uniquely designed childcare center in Addis Ababa, named in memory of Lisa Diego, in recognition of her contribution to the initiative.
She expressed appreciation to Jemmy Cooper, Founder, Chair and President of Big Win Philanthropy; Dr. Kesetebrihan Admasu, the foundation’s chief executive officer; and the advisers and program leaders whose contributions helped advance the initiative.
The forum provides a platform for African city leaders to share practical experiences, strengthen cooperation and explore ways to accelerate urban transformation while improving the quality of life of their residents.
Mayor Adanech emphasized that exchanging experiences and learning from one another are important for African leaders seeking to build cities that are more responsive to citizens’ needs and better prepared for future generations.