Addis Ababa, October 25, 2026 (FMC) — The newly commissioned Kechene–Ambassador Park–Gihon–Irreecha–Bambis Riverside Development Project has created more than 56,000 jobs during construction while advancing efforts to improve residents’ safety, livelihoods and quality of life, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie said.
The project was inaugurated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed earlier today and opened to the public, marking a major addition to the capital’s urban development and environmental restoration initiatives.
In messages published on her social media pages, Adanech described the development as part of a broader vision to transform the city’s rivers into sources of life, natural landscapes into places of beauty, and public spaces into destinations for recreation, tourism and economic opportunity.
She said the initiative goes beyond construction, forming part of efforts to preserve natural resources and build a greener, more beautiful and more livable Addis Ababa where residents can live, work, relax and thrive.
The Mayor highlighted the project’s social and economic benefits, noting that urban development should deliver more than physical infrastructure by creating clean and comfortable surroundings, spaces for recreation and social interaction, and opportunities for employment and income generation.
She also underscored the project’s role in improving residents’ safety. According to the Mayor, people who previously lived in areas exposed to severe flooding have been relocated to new, more suitable homes, helping them secure safer living conditions.
The development has also transformed neglected river corridors into an urban asset with growing tourism appeal, combining environmental conservation with public amenities and opportunities for economic activity.
Adanech expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy for providing direction and encouragement from the initiative’s early conception. She also acknowledged the contributions of city leaders, professionals, consultants, contractors and residents whose cooperation helped bring the project to completion.
The newly opened development forms part of Addis Ababa’s wider effort to integrate environmental restoration, public recreation, modern infrastructure and economic opportunities, with the aim of making the capital more attractive and improving everyday life for its residents.