Addis Ababa from 1879-2004

Addis Ababa yesterday

Elder people prescribe that Addis Ababa was covered with thick forest before decorated with beautiful building and roads. During the then time, huts were disseminated here and there and sparingly seen in rows. Elders also reeled that corrugated iron houses were being seen through time White and black colored historical books and magazines also complement the aforementioned realities.

In one of chronicles you read, “On those old times let alone constructing roads and multiplying vehicles, people did not have their own shoes.” When you open the other, you can easily understand that the naming of princess Taitu by saying ‘Addis Ababa’ is a symbolic representation that testifies the blossoming of the city through time. Especially the commencement of buildings and structuring governmental administration from 1894 to 1921 boosted the city to civilization. Hence, to administer those who were migrating from different comers of the countryside to the ally, there established first city ‘city Association house’ and a little while Addis Ababa city municipality.

During Menelik Il reign, the mayors were focusing on promoting the city by Inaugurating railway, schools, health centers, technology and structuring service sectors. Expanding its scope mayors during the time of emperor Haile Selassie were focusing on strengthening the administration of the city, fulfilling infrastructures, organizing the plan of the city, etc. Though mayors at the time of the Derg regime tried to change the administration and to expand agricultural practices, the livelihood of the people worsened and the development of the city retarded because of the social ideology forwarded by the government.

Geographical Location

The city of Addis Ababa is located 80,501 degree north to 9006 north latitude and 38,051 eastern longitude situated 2000-2500 meter altitude. Average annual rainfall reaches annual rainfall reaches to 1180.4 millimeter, as reference materials depicted.

Addis Ababa Today

Economy

Presently Addis Ababa be the center of Informational organizations and consulates and capital city of both Africa and Ethiopia. It is widely known that the city is undergoing dramatic Development. It is a coercion to make Addis conductive and comfortable for living. Similarly, to solve its problem it needs collaborative efforts of the public and the administration.

Presently, it has been made possible to collect over 10 Million birr to redevelopment and the market transaction is also counted in billions. From investment point of view, 29,358 licenses were given in industry. service and agriculture sector and their capital reaches to 362 billion D In the city, there are 18 banks (4 government and 14 private), 10 Insurance institution (1 government and 13 private), and 31 micro banks with many branches. In the past ten years, 16,000 small micro enterprises which created about 7000 employment opportunities to citizens. Likewise, employment opportunity created through the housing development and road construction together with knowledge transfer are the economic green lights of the city

Societal

In education sector, remarkable achievements are recorded by government and private sectors in the past years. Thus, 907 kindergarten, 638 primary school, 155 high school and 68 preparatory schools are functioning. Consequently, students who reach 102 million are attending schools in various levels.

In health sector, there are 34 government and private hospitals, 64 health centers and 500 clinics. Besides, efforts have been exerted multiplying 45 health centers. Hence, by executing prevention primal health extension program, thousands of people are benefited out of it.

Housing Development

The momentum of building which started since 1995 EC has been continued muscularly. Since most of houses of 387,000 are on the verge of obliteration, and for most of the residents are house seekers, the sector has been emphasized. So far 100, 246 houses have been building and accommodated more than 500,000 citizens in a conductive environment Presently, 95,000 houses are being constructed swiftly.

Sanitation

Addis was dumped with severe sanitation problem which did not equate its name to resolve this in opportune problem which stagnate the expediency of the city for living a structure directing its deeds has been organized and taking actions by participating the people. Presently, there are about 400 new dustbins and 1,500 wastebaskets and 80 dust cart in service. Moreover, there are 561 organized small micro enterprises having 8,000 members who are collecting trash, house to house

Road and Transport

The coverage of roads and their quality is increasing swiftly. It has been possible to increase the coverage with poor quality of 5.52% to 15% in last 22 years Ring road, broad accelerator roads and squares, similarly standardized underway bridges have been built. To these, 14.7 billion Birr have been invested. As pieces of information show, the process will be executed further. Quite recently, the constructions of African Avenue from Meskel Adebab ay Bole by 60,000,000 Dollar which has been furnished to the 50 golden Jubilee of African Union, is capable of showing the strength of the administration.

Tourism

When we think of tourism we should think of Addis Ababa is the center of the country. A guest wherever he/she comes, has a chance to visit the city. It has better transport, hotel, and market transactions. Together with these, there are spiritual and material heritages worth visiting.

As it has been described earlier, the altitude of the city is the source of healthier atmosphere. It is also expressed that the annual range of rainfall reaches to 1180.4 milliliter. These climatic conditions make the city one of the comfortable cities of the world. These legacies make Addis to be one of the 10 cities of the world to be visited. Besides, Addis constitutes nations and nationalities of the country. hence, it is said the museum of many cultures and languages.

Religious festivities like Timket, Meskel, Eid-Alfeter and Eid Aladha: nations and Nationalities Day. Flag Day and other national holidays are values which attracts attention. Moreover, the city comprises thousands of religious heritages, churches, mosques, about 150 historical places and aged buildings which have been registered and included in the master plan. Addis also has new and old parks and recreation centers Furthermore, there are about 127 embassies together with African Union and other international organizations. These all assets give rise to better tourism industry potential than other developing cities

Investment

Presently, Addis Ababa and its surrounding cover 70% of investment legacies of the country. Thus, there are thousands of licensed projects by 350 billion Birr which started operations This created employment opportunity to citizens and transfer of knowledge. This all happen because of the free market policy executed in the country for the last 22 years.

Quite recently, the administration has established industry park and is encouraged investors to go there. Though this is outright deed by its own, magnificent number of investors want to invest on service sector. The flourishing of hotels, rental buildings, transport, etc. retarded the complete development of the sector. Even though investors who are focusing on real estate And moll complained on the dispute and cost of the land in the city, they are not demanding like industry and agriculture.

In a nutshell the investment of the city administration should involve in a process which is rich in information, technology and knowledge. It is this way made the city competent globally as it should. Besides, fulfilling the aforementioned essentialities help to draw the attention of investors to record winning investment so as to certify swift development

source: Addis Ababa city administration office