Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Addis Ababa’s corridor development is a replicable model for cities seeking to regenerate urban spaces efficiently without the financial and social costs associated with building entirely new capitals, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
In an interview with Kana TV, the Prime Minister reflected on the extensive socio-economic benefits of corridor development projects, emphasizing that Ethiopia’s approach illustrates how existing cities can be modernized without the need to abandon them for costly, newly constructed capitals.
“Some countries have entirely built new cities where fewer than 1,000 people live, despite investing billions of dollars,” he noted, highlighting the inefficiencies observed in such approaches.
But now “our model can be adopted as an example,” the premier added.
According to him, Ethiopia’s strategy focuses on upgrading existing urban centers while communities remain in place, facilitating gradual but impactful transformation.
He stressed that it is possible to modernize and transform cities through measured changes while people continue to live in them.
This approach is not limited to Addis Ababa but being replicated across multiple urban centers nationwide, reinforcing a broader shift in Ethiopia’s development philosophy, the PM said.
Prime Minister Abiy further pointed out that attempts by some countries to relocate capital cities far from existing urban hubs, sometimes tens, hundreds, or even thousands of kilometers away, have often proven economically unviable.
Illustrating the challenge, he explained that building a new, clean, and modern city elsewhere would not automatically result in a modern urban lifestyle.
“If we were to build a new city and relocate residents there, the physical environment may be modern, but the behaviors and systems people bring with them—such as waste management, use of walkways, or parking, would remain unchanged. As a result, the city would quickly deteriorate.”
Instead, Ethiopia’s corridor development places equal emphasis on transforming urban culture alongside physical infrastructure.
“What we are doing is not only changing the city; we are also changing behavior,” the Prime Minister stressed.
He pointed to visible shifts among residents, particularly the youth who are increasingly adopting cleaner and more orderly urban practices.
“While it may not be perfect, many young people strongly oppose littering. They discourage those who pollute, take responsibility, and actively protect their city.”
This evolving civic culture, according to him, is central to ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure investments and enhancing the livability of cities.
The PM further stated that Ethiopia’s experience is not only delivering immediate development gains but also creating a learning process that continues to open new opportunities.
“We are enjoying the progress while also learning from it. It is opening doors for the next generation of development initiatives,” he noted.
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