Addis Ababa Mayor Announces Completion of Nearly 16,000 Projects in Landmark Dev’t Push

Addis ababa: Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie, announced that close to 16,000 community-centered projects were successfully completed and put into operation during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year, marking a significant milestone in the city's grassroots development efforts. According to Ethiopian News Agency, the mayor attributed this achievement to the strong partnership and collaborative efforts between the government and the people, highlighting it as a testament to the power of collective action in driving community development. She made these remarks during the 4th regular session of the 4th year of the 3rd Addis Ababa City Council, where Mayor Adanech presented the city administration's implementation report. The report emphasized a broad range of initiatives aimed at accelerating the city's social and economic transformation. Among the key developments are the Addis International Convention Center, new shopping centers, and critical infrastructure improvements in sectors including health, educati on, and the arts. Housing development was also a major area of focus, with 5,176 housing units constructed using the city's own budget. Additionally, 8,786 homes for vulnerable communities were built entirely through voluntary contributions. The city also made advances in its economic corridor development strategy, completing 5,563 retail shops in key locations such as Kazanchis, Bole, Lideta, Lafto, and Arat Kilo. According to the mayor, these projects were made possible through strong public-private partnerships. Furthermore, 1,064 workshop sheds were completed and are now in use, energizing local economic activity. As part of its initiative to make Addis Ababa more child-friendly, the city completed 1,155 children's playgrounds under the First Childhood Movement. Youth development remained a priority, with 122 youth sports fields completed. In the transport sector, 153 new parking lots and transport terminals were constructed in the first phase of the fiscal year. Of the total 15,960 projects, 16 were i dentified as mega projects, strategic, large-scale developments with citywide impact. Notably, 9,000 of the projects were carried out through community participation and voluntary service, reflecting the administration's emphasis on civic engagement. In terms of road infrastructure, the city constructed and rehabilitated 1,392 kilometers of roads, including asphalt, cobblestone, gravel roads, and pedestrian sidewalks. These improvements have enhanced urban mobility and contributed to easing traffic congestion, further improving the quality of life for residents.