Addis Ababa’s development efforts set a benchmark for African cities, affirm African ministers

Addis Ababa, June 21, 2025 (FMC) — The transformative development initiatives underway in Addis Ababa have emerged as a pioneering model for urban progress across the African continent, according to ministers and delegates attending the Africa Conference on Childcare.

Held this week in Addis Ababa under the theme, “Building Partnerships for Accelerating Action towards Quality and Inclusive Childcare in Africa,” the conference brought together high-level representatives from various African nations to deliberate on child welfare and urban development.

As part of the program, the delegation toured key urban development projects in the Ethiopian capital, witnessing firsthand the city’s ambitious urban transformation agenda.

Delegates lauded Addis Ababa’s comprehensive approach to urban renewal, highlighting its potential to create a cleaner, more livable, and inclusive cityscape. They praised the city’s corridor development projects and other infrastructural advancements as well-suited to the unique context of an African capital.

According to Dr. Miessa Elema, Head of the Press Secretariat at the Mayor’s Office of Addis Ababa, who provided the information to Fana Media Corporation, the visiting delegates expressed strong admiration for the city’s inclusive development initiatives. They described Addis Ababa’s ongoing urban transformation as a model that other African cities can emulate.

Particular commendation was directed towards initiatives targeting children and youth, the construction of public sanitation facilities aimed at enhancing urban cleanliness, and the preservation and expansion of green spaces and riverside areas.

The delegates also underscored the significance of the city’s efforts to preserve the Adwa Victory monument — a symbol of historical pride and national identity.

Moreover, they emphasized that the development process has been characterized by strong public participation and equitable benefit-sharing, elements they believe offer valuable lessons for urban development across Africa.