Addis Ababa, October 13, 2026 (FMC) — African city leaders have gathered in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, to exchange practical approaches to urban governance, digital transformation and economic growth, with a focus on building more competitive cities, improving public services and expanding local economic opportunities.
The African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Leadership Forum, jointly hosted by the cities of Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, brings municipal leaders together to strengthen city leadership, share innovative urban development strategies and explore ways to improve service delivery.
Yared Teshome, Policy Director at the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure Development and Ethiopian Cities Program Lead, said the initiative emphasizes visionary municipal leadership, digitalization and stronger local revenue generation.
Developing cities into centers of economic activity and innovation can create jobs, strengthen local economies and ease population pressure on major urban centers, he noted.
Yared also highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to extend urban development beyond Addis Ababa through corridor development projects in cities across the country. The initiatives seek to upgrade infrastructure, improve public services and open up new economic opportunities, supporting a broader approach to urban growth.
Bishoftu City Mayor Alemayehu Asefa, meanwhile, outlined the city’s ambition to establish itself as a leading tourism destination in Oromia, Ethiopia and East Africa, drawing on its seven natural lakes and expanding hospitality industry.
“We envision Bishoftu becoming the premier tourist destination of Oromia, Ethiopia, and East Africa, and we are going to make it happen,” the mayor said.
The city administration aims to attract more than 12 million tourists, generate 60,000 local jobs and double annual revenue. Achieving these targets will require better lakeside infrastructure, expanded visitor services and increased investment in tourism facilities, Alemayehu said.
To strengthen Bishoftu’s appeal to domestic and international visitors, the administration is expanding accommodation options, resorts, recreational centers and convention facilities.
The planned Bishoftu International Airport is also expected to play a significant role in the city’s long-term development. Alemayehu said the airport is designed to accommodate more than 110 million passengers annually when fully developed, creating greater potential for connectivity, tourism and economic activity.
The mayor also underscored the value of the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative forum as a platform for city leaders to exchange experiences and assess progress in urban development, as reported by local news agency ENA.
“When these African city mayors come together, they share their experiences not just for the sake of sharing, but also to evaluate how countries are progressing,” he said.
Following an earlier gathering in Cape Town, South Africa, the forum is organized under AMALI, which supports municipal leaders through professional development, technical assistance and peer learning aimed at strengthening urban governance and city management.