Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Helping Transform the Mentality of Africa, Kenyan Visitor Says

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2026 (FMC) — Kenyan tourist Yusuf Dibam has praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, saying it is helping transform the mentality of Africa and changing how Africans perceive the continent’s potential.

Speaking exclusively to Fana Digital at the Hora Finfinne Irreecha celebration in Addis Ababa, Dibam said his repeated visits to the Ethiopian capital had enabled him to witness significant changes.

“I’ve been here four times. The first time I came, it was not this much developed. The second time, it’s more developed,” he said, adding that he now regards Addis Ababa as a major African destination.

Dibam directly linked what he described as a broader shift in African outlook to the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

“I like this administration a lot. The administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, he has actually transformed the mentality of the whole Africa,” Dibam said.

He said the changing perception of Ethiopia is also reflected in the growing interest among Kenyans and other Africans in visiting the country, including prominent Kenyan personalities whom he said have been encouraging others to experience Ethiopia.

Dibam further linked his assessment of Ethiopia to what he described as the country’s ability to demonstrate Africa’s potential through major development projects.

He cited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as an example, saying the project demonstrates that Africans have the capacity, energy and resources to undertake major initiatives through their own efforts.

“This shows that we, Africa, we have the potential. We have the energy. We have resources. We have everything to do by ourselves,” he said.

Dibam also called for greater investment in African institutions and capacities, arguing that African resources should be directed toward strengthening the continent’s own financial and development institutions and building greater capacity to address its challenges independently.

“I know we have the capacity to do it,” he said.

Dibam said his own repeated visits to Ethiopia had reinforced his perception of the country’s transformation, particularly in Addis Ababa.

“We don’t need to go to Dubai. Me, myself, I don’t want to go to Dubai. Because this [Addis Ababa] is my Dubai. I’ve seen everything in Dubai here,” he said.

Dibam travelled nearly 1,400 kilometres by road from Kenya to Addis Ababa as part of a group of about 50 people from Nairobi, Mombasa, Isiolo and Marsabit to attend Irreecha.

He said the journey itself reflected the significance of the festival and the strong cultural connections it creates across borders.

“This event brought me 1,400 kilometres from Nairobi up to here. That means how important this event is,” Dibam said.