AMN Plus -March 24/2026
Speaking in an interview on the future of Ethiopian cities, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored that effective urban planning and strong leadership are essential for the sustainable growth of towns and cities across Ethiopia.
The Prime Minister noted that many urban centers in the country previously lacked structured master plans, which contributed to unplanned urbanization and created serious challenges for residents.
The Prime Minister said unplanned urban growth remains a common problem across many African countries and continues to pose challenges for Ethiopia as well.
“For instance, in the past, Addis Ababa, a city of more than five million people, did not have state-of-the-art shopping malls,” Prime Minister Abiy stated.
Abiy explained that the situation is now changing, with the government currently constructing 10 modern shopping malls in Addis Ababa.
The Prime Minister highlighted landmark developments such as Arada Mall in Piassa, Mahamadiya in Sar Bet, Eagel Hills in Leghare, as well as Chaka and Peacock malls, noting that these projects are being built in line with international standards.
Abiy further stated that in the past, some Ethiopian businesspeople had to travel to cities such as Nairobi and Dubai in search of standardized commercial spaces for their business activities.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Abiy urged city authorities to guide the development of towns and cities through well-structured and standardized master plans.
By Birhanu Workneh
