Int’l Delegates Hail Bahir Dar City for Infrastructural Transformation, Hospitality 

Addis Ababa, October 29, 2026 (ENA) —International delegates who attended the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa have praised Bahir Dar city for its rapid infrastructural transformation, serene landscape and exceptional hospitality.

Foreign dignitaries, policy experts, and scholars that recently gathered in Bahir Dar, the capital city of Amhara region, witnessed the city's developments.

Speaking to ENA, Charles Ukeje, a Nigerian Professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University and a long-time attendee of the Forum, highlighted the noticeable shift in the city's infrastructure over the years.

 

"I've been coming to Bahir Dar since the first Tana Forum, and it is always refreshing," Professor Ukeje said.

"I've seen the city transform in a very qualitative way. From the Bahir Dar Airport, which I remember when it was just a shed or under construction, now looks beautiful and imposing to the drive to the venue; a whole lot of development is happening."

The Professor added that choosing Bahir Dar to host a major continental event plays a crucial role in putting the city on the global map, providing both the required infrastructure and an ideal ambience for critical discussions on peace and security in Africa.

First-time visitor Professor George Nwangwu, Convener of the Africa Climate Forum, expressed admiration for the city's natural beauty and tourism prospects.

 

He noted that while he had previously visited Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar offered a remarkable new perspective on the country.

"It’s a stunning location and a really beautiful place," the Professor said, praising the local culture, including traditional coffee and tea ceremonies, cuisine, and the warmth of the people.

Professor Nwangwa said: "I think for tourism, a lot of people from Africa need to know that there is a beautiful place like this. Ethiopia has immense potential, and more should be done to popularize destinations like Bahir Dar."

Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director for East Africa at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Representative to the African Union, pointed to recent urban renovation projects as key drivers of the city's growing appeal.

 

"Bahir Dar is a beautiful lakeside city with great potential," he said.

Handy added: "As a host nation for the African Union, Ethiopia is a hub for conferences, which strongly boosts the national hospitality industry—not just in Addis Ababa, but now visibly here in Bahir Dar as well."