AMN Plus-July 12, 2026
Addressing the Addis Ababa City Council’s 4th Regular Session of its 5th-Year Council Meeting, Addis Ababa Mayor Her Excellency Adanech Abiebie said the city has achieved transformative progress over the past five years, reducing the proportion of slum areas from 74 percent to 30 percent.
She also noted that Addis Ababa has earned international recognition as one of Africa’s ten cleanest cities, while expanding its green coverage from 2.8 percent to 24 percent.
The Mayor further noted that the city’s roads have been widened and modernized, while streets that were once dark are now illuminated. With its growing capacity to host major international conferences, high-level meetings, and visitors, Addis Ababa has further strengthened its position as Africa’s diplomatic capital.
She also emphasized that Addis Ababa has become a shared source of pride, embraced not only by Ethiopians but by Africans across the continent as their capital city.
Highlighting the city’s commitment to social justice, the Mayor said wide-ranging initiatives have been implemented, including school feeding programs, support for vulnerable citizens, the construction of clean and affordable housing and neighborhoods, job creation schemes, elderly care services, women’s rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, youth development centers, expanded digital service centers that have improved public service delivery, and measures aimed at easing the cost of living.
According to the Mayor, by financing development through the city’s own revenue while mobilizing support from development partners, Addis Ababa has completed and commissioned more than 60,000 projects designed to address the social and economic needs of its residents.
“Furthermore, by curbing waste, corruption, and theft in the use of public resources, we have increased the share of the city’s budget allocated to sustainable development from 47 percent to 71 percent. These achievements stand among the key milestones that have significantly improved the well-being of our residents,” the Mayor reaffirmed.
The Mayor also said Ethiopia’s 7th National Election marked a significant milestone in the country’s democratic and political development.
She noted that the election was conducted peacefully, credibly, freely, and fairly, reflecting the determination and democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people.
According to the Mayor, the Prosperity Party won a majority of the votes, while several other competing political parties also secured seats in Parliament.
“This opens a new chapter for serving our people through cooperation and for jointly building our shared nation,” the Mayor said.
By Birhanu Workneh
