Addis Ababa, October 25, 2026 (FMC) — House of Peoples’ Representatives Speaker Ahmed Shide has said Addis Ababa’s rapid urban transformation is setting an example for other Ethiopian cities, reflecting the Medemer government’s sustained focus on making urban centres engines of development and improved quality of life.
Speaking during a visit to the Kechene–Ambassador Park–Gihon–Irreecha–Bambis Riverside Development, inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Shide commended the quality of the infrastructure and the transformation of the area into a greener, more accessible and integrated urban space.
He noted that the development combines improved roads and pedestrian routes with commercial establishments, playgrounds, sports facilities and recreational spaces, creating a more attractive environment while expanding opportunities for economic activity and employment.
Shide also highlighted the project’s contribution to stronger social connections and improved living conditions, noting that developing riverside areas can turn them into valuable urban assets that provide significant benefits to the public.
He linked the transformation to the Medemer government’s focus over the past eight years on advancing urban development and making cities centres of growth and better living standards. He also underscored the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, the public and the private sector in delivering such initiatives.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Shide pointed to broader efforts to make urban development more equitable through education, healthcare, school feeding programmes and affordable housing for lower-income citizens.
He commended the Addis Ababa City Administration for its role in delivering the riverside project, saying the capital’s ongoing transformation offers an important example for other Ethiopian cities pursuing development that combines modern infrastructure, environmental improvement and better opportunities for residents.