PM Office Touts Addis Ababa’s Global Urban Award as Springboard for Ethiopia’s Cities

Addis Ababa, October 31, 2026 (FMC) – The Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia has described Addis Ababa’s recognition with the 2026 Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities as an opportunity to extend the country’s urban transformation ambitions to cities across Ethiopia.

In a social media post, the Office said the recognition reflects the Ethiopian capital’s progress in sustainable urban development and its continued transformation, while emphasizing the need to build on the achievement through modern, inclusive and sustainable urban development nationwide.

The post stressed that urban development must go beyond infrastructure, encompassing the cultivation of a culture of urbanity, the creation of quality public spaces and the development of cities into better places to live and work.

It also underscored the importance of preserving the history, heritage and distinct identities of cities while embracing modernization, highlighting the need to ensure that urban transformation maintains each city’s unique character.

The Office further emphasized that the vision should extend beyond Addis Ababa to cities across the country, identifying Harar, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Jimma, Arba Minch and Dire Dawa as having the potential to become models of sustainable urban development.

The message concluded by calling for cities that embrace the future without losing their connection to the past, presenting Addis Ababa’s international recognition as a starting point for a broader vision of sustainable urban development across Ethiopia.