AMN PLUS-May 26, 2026
In the past few years, the Addis Ababa City Administration has undertaken massive and strategic efforts to make the Ethiopian capital a more preferred and competitive tourist destination, in addition to its previous status as a diplomatic hub and transit city.
Several activities have been carried out to modernize the city, preserve its historical heritage, and create new man-made attractions, resulting in remarkable achievements.
Moreover, flagship projects have been developed that have completely transformed the appearance of the East African nation’s capital and attracted a growing influx of tourists.
The Science Museum, a center of technology and innovation that has attracted continental and international attention, is one of the notable projects.
Unity Park, a premier tourist destination showcasing the country’s political, historical, and cultural journey and housing a wildlife sanctuary and historical buildings, is another landmark project.
Entoto Park, a natural attraction site that combines nature, sports, culture, and modern entertainment, and Sheger Park (Friendship Square), a modern public square in the heart of the city featuring an artificial lake, fountain, and a variety of events, are also notable landmarks.
The Adwa Victory Memorial is another major attraction and center of knowledge and history for visitors. It documents the history, artifacts, and art related to the Victory of Adwa, a symbol of the freedom and resistance of Black people, in a modern and engaging manner.
It is worth recalling that the corridor development initiatives launched to improve the city’s traffic flow, beauty, and cleanliness to international standards have also achieved significant success, Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie said during her nine months report presentation to city council members.
She noted that wide pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes have been constructed, while historical buildings and heritage sites have been renovated without altering their originality.
Green spaces, water features, and attractive lighting designs have also been widely implemented.
Through digital tourism initiatives and infrastructure improvements, including e-visa services and enhanced digital information systems, visitor inconvenience has been significantly reduced.
Ethiopian Airlines has also created a more convenient environment for transit travelers to enter and explore the city by expanding Bole International Airport and providing modern hotel services. This has helped transform Addis Ababa from merely a transit hub into a destination where tourists now stay for an average of three to five days.
In addition to being the seat of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa has significantly enhanced its capacity to host major international conferences, exhibitions, and trade fairs through the construction of new halls and supporting infrastructure.
The expansion of tourist destinations has also created a wide range of job opportunities and income streams for hotels, transportation service providers, traditional clothing and sculpture producers, as well as film and photography professionals.
Overall, the tourism development activities carried out in Addis Ababa have transformed the city into not only a diplomatic hub, but also one of Africa’s emerging tourist destinations — a hub of culture, history, technology, and natural beauty.
By Leta Teresa
