Shabeely Resort Significant Milestone in Making Ethiopia one of Africa’s Top Tourist Destinations: PM Abiy

Addis Ababa, January 31, 2026 (ENA) —  Shabeely Resort marks a significant milestone in fulfilling the promise to make Ethiopia one of Africa’s top tourist destinations, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed noted.

PM Abiy today officially inaugurated the Shabeely Resort in the Somali region, a landmark 385-hectare development realized under the Dine for Generations initiative.

This flagship project signifies a major leap in the national effort to harness Ethiopia’s diverse natural and cultural wealth for sustainable tourism growth, according to Office of the Prime Minister.

“We inaugurated Shabeely Resort, one of the flagship projects under the Dine for Generations initiative, which spans 385 hectares,” Abiy stated following the inauguration.

Shabeely is not only a resort, but also a living expression of the rich heritage of the Somali Region, seamlessly blending modern architecture with ancient traditions, he elaborated.

For the Prime Minister, this eastern region project, among many others, marks a significant milestone in fulfilling our promise to make Ethiopia one of Africa’s top tourist destinations.

The region’s abundant natural landscape, combined with the partnerships forged through Medemer’s endeavor, powerfully demonstrates that Ethiopia is not only a nation that dreams, but one that turns those dreams into reality, PM Abiy noted. 

Reflecting on the achievement, Office of the Prime Minister shared:

"The Shabeely project, which is part of the Dine Initiative in the Somali region, with three restaurants serving up to 400 guests, a dedicated cultural venue, high-tech meeting halls, children’s play areas, and shaded walkways across its 15.4 km expanse, Shabeely is designed to foster connection and community.”

From the 10,000-tree Fruit Park to the authentic Camel Park, every feature celebrates Ethiopia’s natural and cultural wealth, PMO Ethiopia stated, adding with 51 completed keys and world-class hospitality facilities, Shabeely marks a milestone in Ethiopia’s journey to become one of Africa’s top tourist destinations.

PMO further elaborated that this project embodies the Medemer spirit—turning Ethiopia’s dreams into reality by transforming our abundant natural and cultural endowments into a shared heritage for the world.