Addis Ababa's Corridor Dev't Boosts Livability, Tourism: Mayor Adanech

Addis Ababa, July 11, 2025 (ENA)—The Corridor Development initiative has built a positive image for Ethiopia by significantly enhancing Addis Ababa's livability for residents and making it more convenient and welcoming to tourists, Mayor Adanch Abiebie said today.

Presenting the 2017 Ethiopian budget year performance report at the Addis Ababa City Council meeting, the mayor underscored the swift and well-coordinated implementation of the Second Phase of the Corridor Development program.

 According to her, lessons learned from the first phase were effectively applied to improve planning and execution in the second.

 Active community participation was also ensured by reaching consensus and a shared vision.

 The initiative has played a transformative role in upgrading informal settlements and delivering dignified housing, workspaces, green development, children's playgrounds, and vital social infrastructure such as schools and health centers.

 The second phase has delivered significant infrastructure, including 135 kilometers roads, 246 kilometers pedestrian walkways, 141 kilometers bicycle lanes, jogging tracks, and 53 bridges for both vehicles and pedestrians. It also incorporated crucial flood control measures and essential support infrastructure.

 Efforts to modernize urban transport included the construction of parking lots and terminals with a combined capacity for up to 35,000 vehicles.

 Electrical infrastructure has also been upgraded through the installation of both standard and smart poles, alongside the laying of underground power lines.

 Public amenities have seen substantial expansion, with the development of 431 hectares of green space, 110 public recreational plazas, and 112 modern roadside public toilets.

Mayor Adanech emphasized that these improvements are part of a broader urban strategy to enhance Addis Ababa's quality of life and increase its global competitiveness.

 She proudly announced that Addis Ababa had been ranked first in urban transformation among 115 cities in a global Smart City competition. It also won the Africa Smart City Award.

 The mayor stressed that the development has been inclusive, benefiting all segments of the society and making sure that no one is left behind.

 The Corridor Development has reshaped the city's image, boosted competitiveness, fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration, and improved project implementation efficiency, she added.

 Furthermore, the initiative has created employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of residents and significantly enhanced the city's beauty, cleanliness, and environmental sustainability, contributing positively to the country's image on the global stage.