Addis Ababa

{{Main|History of Addis Ababa}}

{{For timeline}}

A study based on DNA evidence from almost 1,000 people around the world suggests that early humans first traveled out of Africa via a place close to Addis Ababa, spreading from the region to the rest of the planet some time around 100,000 years ago.{{cite news |title=DNA Studies Trace Migration from Ethiopia |url=http://www.bnd.com/news/nation/story/262406.html |access-date=20 July 2021 |work=bnd.com |agency=bnd |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=22 February 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071020010637/http://www.bnd.com/news/nation/story/262406.html |archive-date=20 October 2007 |location=St. Louis}} The research indicated that genetic diversity decreases steadily the further one's ancestors travelled from Addis Ababa.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/21/AR2008022102739.html | title=Genetic Mutations Offer Insights on Human Diversity | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=David | last=Brown | date=22 February 2008 | access-date=23 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224751/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/21/AR2008022102739.html?hpid=moreheadlines | archive-date=4 June 2011 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

Mount Entoto, a high tableland to the north of current Addis Ababa, is one of a handful of sites put forward as a possible location for a medieval imperial capital known as Barara. This permanent fortified city was established during the early to mid-15th century and it served as the main residence of several successive emperors up to the early 16th-century reign of Libne Dengel.{{cite journal |last1=Pankhurst |first1=Richard |title=Barara, the Royal City of 15th and Early 16th Century (Ethiopia). Medieval and Other Early Settlements Between Wechecha Range and Mt Yerer |journal=Annales d'Éthiopie |year=2009 |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=209–249 |doi=10.3406/ethio.2009.1394 |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/ethio_0066-2127_2009_num_24_1_1394}} The city was depicted standing between Mount Zuqualla and Menegasha on a map drawn by the Italian cartographer Fra Mauro in around 1450, and it was razed and plundered by Ahmed Gragn while the imperial army was trapped on the south of the Awash River in 1529, an event witnessed and documented two years later by the Yemeni writer Arab-Faqih. The suggestion that Barara was located on Mount Entoto is supported by the very recent discovery of a large medieval town overlooking Addis Ababa located between rock-hewn Washa Mikael and the more modern church of Entoto Maryam, founded in the late 19th century. Dubbed the Pentagon, the 30-hectare site incorporates a castle with 12 towers, along with 520 meters of stone walls measuring up to 5-meter high. Described a "metropolis", Barara is estimated to have a population exceeding 160,000 people,{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/26052539/The_shapes_of_medieval_Addis_Ababa |title=The shapes of medieval Addis Ababa |last=Vigano |first=Marco |access-date=11 April 2025 |via=Academia}} comparable to the largest European towns in 1500 CE, Paris and Naples.{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/78567188/An_Introduction_to_Ethiopian_History_Axum_to_pre_Gondar_our_Middle_Ages |title=An Introduction to Ethiopian History, Axum to pre-Gondar, our 'Middle Ages'. |last=Vigano |first=Marco |via=Academia |access-date=11 April 2025}}

{{Main article|Urban evolution of Addis Ababa}}

File:AbPalaisMénélikAddis-AbabaVers1900.jpg in 1900]]

In 1886, settlement began in the valley south of the mountain in a place called Finfinne, a name which refers to the presence of hot springs. The site was chosen by Empress Taytu Betul. Initially, she built a house for herself near the "Filwuha" hot mineral springs, where she and members of the Shewan Royal Court liked to take mineral baths. Empress Taytu persuaded Emperor Menelik II to move the capital from cold and windy Entoto to the plains below and named the new city Addis Ababa. By the next year large plots of land (Amharic: ሰፈር , sefer) had been allocated to the major nobility, other important personages and some churches. The local Oromo tribes had their lands confiscated and many were displaced. The city was originally founded as a katama (royal camp), with the sefer laid out mirroring an army on the march. The lands of Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis were furthest to the west, while the Imperial Palace of Menelik was in the centre, bracketed on each side by the leaders of the left (Qeñazmach) and right (Grazmach) wings of the army. The rear or area to the east of the palace was allocated to a Dejazmach or another prominent noble. Many of these original lands can still be traced back to the original military grants. Each sefer continued to be settled by each noble's retainers and slaves, usually brought from the lands he controlled. Among those ethnic groups, the Amhara, the Oromo, the Gurage, the Dorze and the Tigrayans would come in the largest numbers.{{Cite book|last=Pankhurst |first=Richard |year=1982 |title=History of Ethiopian towns from the mid 19th century to 1935 |page=203}} The town grew by leaps and bounds. Not only for nobles, but also the site attracted numerous working classes including artisans, merchants, and foreign visitors.

File:British legation Addis Ababa 1910.jpg cluster. Here is an example of British legation pictured in 1910.]]

Early residential dwelling was typically made of circular huts; walls were constructed with mud (Amharic: ጭቃ, cheka) and straw plastered on a wooden frame and thatched roofs. Addis Ababa's growth rate began with early rapid urbanization without preplanned intention. This was the time where nobilities embarked on concentrated permanent settlement, and altered by social patterns; i.e. each neighborhoods (sefer) was located on higher grounds, noncontiguous from adjacent settlements. The early social milieu contributed the contemporary admixture of a classic neighborhood. One of Emperor Menelik's contributions that are still visible today is the planting of numerous eucalyptus trees along the city streets.Pankhurst, p. 195

File:ETH-BIB-Mausoleum des Kaisers Menelik I. auf dem Hügel des grossen Gibi-Abessinienflug 1934-LBS MH02-22-0326.tif in Addis Ababa, 1934.]]

Moreover, the city held strong social organization patterns prior to the Italian invasion. According to Richard Pankhurst (1968), the city's accelerated population growth was due to factors of provisional governors and their troops, the 1892 famine, and eventually the Battle of Adwa. Another includes the 1907 land act, municipal administration in 1909, and a railway and modernized transportation system boom beginning in the 20th century, culminating in continual growth. Additional supplements, for example the laying of Ethio-Djibouti Railways and topographical factors further led the city's boundary to expand southward.

File:ETH-BIB-Flugbild von Addis Abeba-Abessinienflug 1934-LBS MH02-22-0214.tif

Gebrehiwot Baykedagn took major administrative division post, and Addis Ababa–Djibouti railways in 1916,{{Cite book |last=Zewde |first=Bahru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WbVZzRk4XjoC&q=addis+ababa+in+20th+century |title=Pioneers of Change in Ethiopia: The Reformist Intellectuals of the Early Twentieth Century |date=2002 |publisher=J. Currey |isbn=978-0-85255-452-4 |language=en |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704152314/https://books.google.com/books?id=WbVZzRk4XjoC&q=addis+ababa+in+20th+century |url-status=live }} which also connects Addis Ababa with French Somaliland port of Djibouti.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yw9fwgjr5CkC&pg=PA277 |title=Daily Consular and Trade Reports |date=1927 |publisher=Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Manufactures |language=en |access-date=29 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145436/https://books.google.com/books?id=Yw9fwgjr5CkC&pg=PA277 |url-status=live }} Ras Tafari Mekonnen, later became Emperor Haile Selassie I was the most powerful figure in the city following his appointment in 1917. He transformed the city by recognizing the importance of modernization and urbanization, and he distributed wealth to support emerging class. From this point, Ras Tafari gained a legitimate power as regency council in 1918.

File:ETH-BIB-Strassenszene in Addis Abeba-Abessinienflug 1934-LBS MH02-22-0362.tif

By 1926 and 1927, a large-scale economic revolution occurred, a surplus of coffee production began growing as a result of capital accumulation. Profiting from this wealth, the bourgeoisie benefited the city by constructing new, stone-fitted houses with imported European furniture and an importation of the latest automobiles, and expansion of banks across the locales. The total register of automobiles were 76 in 1926 and went to 578 in 1930. The first popular road transportation opened between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, about 97 miles northward in the direction of Dessie. Initially intended to connect Italian occupied Assab with Addis Ababa in the Italo-Ethiopian Treaty of 1928, the road was considered for motor vehicle travel. The highway was important to the French railway of Djibouti and freight rate was very high with a lack of competition, and increase of cargo between Ethiopia and Assab.{{Cite book |last=Freidson |first=Irving |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4XyqGRX6oBcC&pg=PA24 |title=Motor Roads in Africa: (except Union of South Africa). |date=1930 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en |access-date=29 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145436/https://books.google.com/books?id=4XyqGRX6oBcC&pg=PA24 |url-status=live }}

In 1930, the Emperor was crowned and proceeded with new technologies and building infrastructure. Among them, he installed power lines and telephones, and erected several monuments (such as Meyazia 27 Square).

File:Military Parade of Italian Troops in Addis Ababa (1936).jpg

Following all the major engagements of their invasion, the Italian troops from the colony of Eritrea entered Addis Ababa on 5 May 1936. Along with Dire Dawa, the city had been spared the aerial bombardment (including the use of chemical weapons such as mustard gas) practiced elsewhere in Ethiopia. This also allowed its railway to Djibouti to remain intact. After the occupation, the city served as the Duke of Aosta's capital for unified Italian East Africa until 1941, when it was abandoned in favor of Amba Alagi and other redoubts during the Second World War's East African Campaign. According to Soviet estimates, 15,000 Ethiopians casualties were victims of chemical weapons, especially by sulfur mustard.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w0q6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT66 |title=Weapons of War: Environmental Impact: Environmental Impact |date=2013-08-15 |publisher=KW Publishers Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-85714-71-9 |language=en |access-date=29 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145512/https://books.google.com/books?id=w0q6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT66 |url-status=live }}

The Italian ambition regarding Addis Ababa was to create a beautified colonial capital city along with a new master plan launched by seven architects such as Marcello Piacentini, Alessandro Bianchi, Enrico Del Debbio, Giuseppe Vaccaro, Le Corbusier, Ignazio Guidi and Cesare Valle. Despite contradictory and different ideas for each other, the plan was intended to focus on the general architectural plan of the city. Two preparations were approved from the master plan: the Le Corbusier and Guidi and Valle. During an invitation to Mussolini, the French Swiss architect Le Corbusier illustrated the master plan in a guideline sketch involving a traversing route monumental structure by a grand boulevard across the city from north to south, as he extracted from his 1930–1933 Radiant City concept. His two counterparts, Guildi and Valle prepared the master plan in summer 1936 likely emphasizing fascist ideology with monumental structure and no native Ethiopian participation in designing sector. Two parallel axis were drawn in European character connecting Arada/Giyorgis with the railway station to the south end five kilometers long and varied width spanning from 40 to 90 meters.

On 5 May 1941, the city was liberated by Major Orde Wingate and Emperor Haile Selassie for Ethiopian Gideon Force and Ethiopian resistance in time to permit Emperor Haile Selassie's return on 5 May 1941, five years to the day after he had left.

In the aftermath, Addis Ababa suffered from economic stagnation and rapid population growth, the inner-city affected by urban morphology initiated by Italian occupation and the peripheral area were in urban sprawl. In 1946, Haile Selassie invited famous British master planner Sir Patrick Abercrombie with goals of modelling and beautifying the city to become the capital for Africa. By this organizing model, Abercrombie launched the master plan with neighborhood units surrounded by green parkways, and he was encouraged to draw ring roads characterized by radial shapes to channel traffic pathway from the central area.

His careful master plan of a major traffic route was completed by segregating neighborhood units, as he extracted from his 1943 London traffic problem. In 1959, the British consultant team named Bolton Hennessy and Partners commissioned an improvement of Abercrombie's 1954–1956 satellite towns. From the place, they did not incorporated outer area like Mekenissa and West of the old Air Port in the proposal, while Rapi, Gefersa, Kaliti and Kotebe proposed as outlet of Jimma, Ambo and Dessie respectively (the four regional highways). The Hennessy and Partners illustration would be physically larger to current size of Addis Ababa with surrounded satellite towns. In 1965, the French Mission for Urban Studies and Habitat led by Luis De Marien launched another master plan responsible to create monumental axis through Addis Ababa City Hall with an extension across Gofa Mazoria in the southern part of the city. Marien's difference to the previous Italian master plan was the use of single monumental axis while they used the double one.

Haile Selassie also helped to form the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, which was later dissolved in 2002 and replaced by the African Union (AU), which is also headquartered in the city, airports and industrial parks. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa founded in 1958, also has its headquarters in Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa was also the site of the Council of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in 1965. Pankhurst (1962) noted in a survey of total land of 212 square kilometers, 58% owned by 1,768, owing to 10,000 square meters, and 12% were given to church whereas other small areas were still acquired in the name of posthumous nobilities such as Dejazemach Wube Haile Mariam, Fitawrari Aba Koran, and a bridge named "Fitawrari Habtegiorgis" after Habte Giyorgis Dinagde.{{Cite book |last1=Alemayehu |first1=Elias Yitbarek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E9l9DwAAQBAJ&q=addis+ababa+history |title=The Transformation of Addis Ababa: A Multiform African City |last2=Stark |first2=Laura |date=2018-11-30 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-2272-5 |language=en |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145437/https://books.google.com/books?id=E9l9DwAAQBAJ&q=addis+ababa+history |url-status=live }} According to the 1965 master plan, the city covered an area of 21,000 hectares and would increase to 51,000 hectares by 1984 master plan.{{Cite journal |last=Tufa |first=Dandena |date=2008 |title=Historical Development of Addis Ababa: plans and realities |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41967609 |journal=Journal of Ethiopian Studies |volume=41 |issue=1/2 |pages=27–59 |jstor=41967609 |issn=0304-2243 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719135031/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41967609 |url-status=live }}

File:Churchill road ca 1960.jpg

In 1965, the first student march took place in response to the feudal imperial government of Haile Selassie, in which they chanted "Land for the Tiller", culminating in a Marxist–Leninist movement in Ethiopia. In addition, the 1973 oil crisis heavily impacted the city. 1,500 peasants in Addis Ababa marched to plead for food to be returned by police, and intellectual from Addis Ababa University forced the government to take a measure against the spreading famine, a report which Haile Selassie government denounced as "fabrication". Haile Selassie responded later "rich and poor have always existed and will, Why? Because there are those that work...and those that prefer to do nothing...Each individual is responsible for his misfortunes, his fate." Students around the city gathered to protest in February 1974; eventually Haile Selassie was successfully deposed from office in 1974 by a group of police officers. Later, the group named themselves Derg, officially "Provisional Military Administrative Council" (PMAC).{{Citation |last=Kumar |first=B. G. |editor1-first=Jean |editor1-last=Drèze |editor2-first=Amartya |editor2-last=Sen |title=3 Ethiopian Famines 1973–1985: A Case-Study |date=1991 |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198286363.001.0001/acprof-9780198286363-chapter-4 |work=The Political Economy of Hunger: Volume 2: Famine Prevention |place=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198286363.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-828636-3 |access-date=2022-03-20 |doi-access=free }} The city had only 10 woredas.

File:Addis Ababa 6 Oct 1973 - 03.jpg

After the Derg came to power, roughly two-third of housing stock transferred to rental housing. The population growth declined from 6.5% to 3.7%. In 1975, the Derg nationalized "extra" rental structures built by private stockholders. As a result, the Proclamationon No. 47/1975 issued weakened buildings with small amount of living was administered by kebele units, while rental houses with large quality fell under Agency for Rental Housing Administration (ARHA). If those rental properties value less than 100 birr (US$48.31), they would be put under kebele administration. The administrative divisions showed an increase of woredas to 25 and 284 kebeles.

Hungarian architect C.K. Polonyi was the first person to embark the city's master plan during the Derg period with assistance of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. He used two formula concentrating an integration Addis Ababa with suburbs of rural areas and developing inner-city. Polonyi also worked to redesign Meskel Square, which was renamed Abiyot Square by the time, implemented immediately after the name change.

In 1986, the Italo-Ethiopian master plan was set up by 45 Ethiopian professional along with 75 Italian experts with 207 sectorial reports documented as references. The plan dealt with a balanced urban system and services in urban area such as water supply. Akaki incorporated to Addis Ababa to supply industrial and freight terminal services. The bureaucratic rule of the Derg postponed the master plan for eight years until 1994, which caused failure of basic issues in public service and unplanned development.

On 28 May 1991, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition party in course of overthrowing the Derg, seized Addis Ababa. They entered Menelik II Avenue and ordered a curfew for 24 hours. According to a witness, residents of Addis Ababa were ignorant and not terrified by the event, as the military told them everything was safe. The military went to central locations of the city (such as Hilton Hotel) and displayed banners "Peace, Solidarity, Friendship". At 5:30 am, they took control of the presidential palace and large-scale tanks were seen entering the area.{{Cite web |title=Addis Ababa falls to dawn onslaught |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1991/may/29/fromthearchive |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320201354/https://amp.theguardian.com/theguardian/1991/may/29/fromthearchive |url-status=live }}

File:T-55 Ethiopian Civil War 1991.JPEG (EPRDF) from the Derg in 1991]]

A new constitution was adapted in 1994 and enacted a year later; while all cities in Ethiopia accountable rule by regional authority, Addis Ababa (Proclamation No 87/1997) and Dire Dawa (Proclamation No 416/2004) remained chartered cities, with mandates for self-governing and developmental centers.{{Cite web |date=22 April 2022 |title=Addis Ababa City Government Revised Charter Proclamation |url=https://chilot.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/proclamation-no-35.pdf |website=Federal Negarit Gazeta |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704202543/https://chilot.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/proclamation-no-35.pdf |url-status=live }} The Proclamation No. 112/1995 legitimized privatization of many government buildings, with a few exceptions, and the kebele buildings remained in tenure. The kebele dwelling and their largely unplanned settings continued to incorporated core areas of Addis Ababa{{Clarify|date=September 2023}}.

File:Addis Ababa aerial approach 2009-08-27 15-26-13.jpg

From the end of 1998, new project was launched by Addis Ababa City Administration naming Office for Revision of Addis Ababa Master Plan (ORAAMP), covering from 1999 to 2003. The plan goal was to meet the standard of market economy with favorable political system resembles the revised 1986 master plan in terms of urban area.

{{main|2014 Addis Ababa Master Plan}}

A controversial plan to expand the boundaries of Addis Ababa, by 1.1 million hectares into the Oromia special zone in April 2014,{{citation|title=Ethiopia's 'Master Plan' – good for development, damaging for minorities|date=12 August 2014|url=https://minorityrights.org/2014/08/12/ethiopias-master-plan-good-for-development-damaging-for-minorities-2/|access-date=12 August 2014|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002090251/http://minorityrights.org/2014/08/12/ethiopias-master-plan-good-for-development-damaging-for-minorities-2/|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=The Roots of Popular Mobilization in Ethiopia|date=16 June 2017|url=https://theglobalobservatory.org/2017/06/ethiopia-protests-oromo-addis-ababa-master-plan/#:~:text=The%20protests%20in%20the%20Oromia,the%20Addis%20Ababa%20Master%20Plan).|access-date=16 June 2017|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121234920/https://theglobalobservatory.org/2017/06/ethiopia-protests-oromo-addis-ababa-master-plan/#:~:text=The%20protests%20in%20the%20Oromia,the%20Addis%20Ababa%20Master%20Plan).|url-status=live}} sparked the Oromo protests on 25 April 2014 against expansion of the boundaries of Addis Ababa. The government responded by shooting at and beating peaceful protesters.{{citation|title=Ethiopia: Brutal Crackdown on Protests|date=5 May 2014|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/05/ethiopia-brutal-crackdown-protests|access-date=5 May 2014|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508195000/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/05/ethiopia-brutal-crackdown-protests|url-status=live}} This escalated to full blown strikes and street protests on 12 November 2015 by university students in Ginchi town, located 80 km southwest of Addis Ababa city, encircled by Oromia Region.{{citation|title=Oromo Protests: Defiance Amidst Pain and Suffering|date=16 December 2015|url=https://addisstandard.com/oromo-protests-defiance-amidst-pain-and-suffering/|access-date=16 December 2015|archive-date=19 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219081145/http://addisstandard.com/oromo-protests-defiance-amidst-pain-and-suffering/|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Ethiopia: Lethal Force Against Protesters|date=18 December 2015|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/18/ethiopia-lethal-force-against-protesters|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130005/https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/18/ethiopia-lethal-force-against-protesters|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Country Policy and Guidance Note Ethiopia Oromos including the Oromo Protests|date=November 2017|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a1d65e14.pdf|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202031124/https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a1d65e14.pdf|url-status=live}} The controversial master plan was cancelled on 12 January 2016. By that time, 140 protesters were killed.{{citation|title=Ethiopia Scraps Plan for Capital Area that Sparked Protests|url=https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-scraps-plan-capital-area-sparked-protests|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923104951/https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-scraps-plan-capital-area-sparked-protests|url-status=dead}}{{citation|title=Ethiopia scraps Addis Ababa 'master plan' after protests kill 140|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 January 2016|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/14/ethiopia-addis-master-plan-abandoned|access-date=14 January 2016|last1=Chala|first1=Endalk|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114115037/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/14/ethiopia-addis-master-plan-abandoned|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Ethiopia cancels Addis Ababa master plan after Oromo protests|work=BBC News|date=13 January 2016|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35300471|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113105635/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35300471|url-status=live}}

United Nations Population Projections estimated the population of metro area of Addis Ababa to be 5,228,000 in 2022, a 4.43% increase from 2021.{{Cite web |title=Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Metro Area Population 1950-2022 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/20921/addis-ababa/population |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=www.macrotrends.net |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315200804/https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/20921/addis-ababa/population |url-status=live }} During Abiy Ahmed's premiership, Addis Ababa and its vicinities underwent Beautifying Sheger. This project is aimed to enhance the green coverage and beauty of the city. In 2018, Abiy initiated a project called "Riverside" planned to expand riverbanks for {{convert|56|km}}, from the Entoto Mountains to the Akaki River.{{Cite web|title=The Danger of Ambition and Neglect: The Case of Beautifying Sheger Project|url=https://wcscd.com/index.php/projects/the-danger-of-ambition-and-neglect-the-case-of-beautifying-sheger-project/|access-date=2021-08-31|language=zh-CN|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924112907/https://wcscd.com/index.php/projects/the-danger-of-ambition-and-neglect-the-case-of-beautifying-sheger-project/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Arada|url=http://www.ethiopians.com/tadelle1.html|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.ethiopians.com|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309134731/http://www.ethiopians.com/tadelle1.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Riverside: green redevelopment for Addis Ababa {{!}}|url=https://www.belex.com/en/news/riverside-green-redevelopment-for-addis-ababa/|access-date=2021-08-31|website=en|language=en-US|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924105902/https://www.belex.com/en/news/riverside-green-redevelopment-for-addis-ababa/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-18|title=Ethiopia: 'Sheger Project Signals Premier's Promise-Fulfilling' - Residents|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202008180524.html|access-date=2021-08-31|website=allAfrica.com|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602054925/https://allafrica.com/stories/202008180524.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=addis ababa city administration latest news|url=https://casabrasilis.com.br/a7pft80/addis-ababa-city-administration-latest-news|access-date=2021-08-31|website=casabrasilis.com.br|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831115052/https://casabrasilis.com.br/a7pft80/addis-ababa-city-administration-latest-news|url-status=dead}} In October 2022, the government launched Sheger City, an urban development model that contains 12 sub-cities, 36 districts and 40 rural kebeles with its seat located in Saris area in Addis Ababa.{{Cite journal |date=2023-01-01 |title='Sheger City' plan will fuel Ethiopia tensions |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/OXAN-DB279805 |journal=Emerald Expert Briefings |volume=oxan-db |issue=oxan-db |doi=10.1108/OXAN-DB279805 |issn=2633-304X|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |last=Tasfaye |first=Ermias |date=2023-04-12 |title=Opposition to Oromia megacities echoes Ethiopia's master plan turmoil |url=https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2023/04/12/opposition-to-oromia-megacities-echoes-ethiopias-master-plan-turmoil/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Ethiopia Insight |language=en-US}} The project objective was to feed other satellite cities into Addis Ababa and contribute economic development within enclave. Several human rights groups as well as politicians criticized the process to build Sheger City due to inciting mass house demotions that belonged to non-Oromo ethnic group, regional disparity by violating the constitutional rights of Oromo people.{{Cite web |title=Oromia region's new Sheger city encase Addis Ababa |url=https://ground.news/article/oromia-regions-new-sheger-city-encase-addis-ababa |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Ground News |language=en}}

{{Main article|Oromia–Addis Ababa relations}}

File:Addis Ababa from the air - Ethiopia - 2018 7 30.webm

File:Irreecha Festival.jpg Festival in Addis Ababa]]

Addis Ababa is located in the heart of the Oromia state{{citation|title=Ethiopia PM moves to resolve Oromia – Addis Ababa boundary rift|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/03/09/ethiopia-pm-moves-to-resolve-oromia-addis-ababa-boundary-rift//|date=9 March 2019|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722053031/https://www.africanews.com/2019/03/09/ethiopia-pm-moves-to-resolve-oromia-addis-ababa-boundary-rift//|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Urban Centers in Oromia:Consequences of Spatial Concentration of Power in Multinational Ethiopia|url=https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=utk_socopubs|date=January 2010|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722053033/https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=utk_socopubs|url-status=live}} and the major ecosystem services to the city provided by Oromia state.{{citation|title=State of Oromia's Interest in Addis Ababa (Finfinnee): Undelivered Constitutional Promises|url=https://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/citations/84737|date=November 2014|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722061451/https://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/citations/84737|url-status=live}} The city was abandoned by the Oromo since the late 19th century due to its conquest by Menelik. Oromos were physically removed from the vicinity of the city during the Haile Selassie and Derg eras.{{citation|title=A Nation without a City [a Blind Person without a Cane]: The Oromo Struggle for Addis Ababa|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41931283|date=3 November 2002|jstor=41931283|last1=Benti|first1=Getahun|journal=Northeast African Studies|volume=9|issue=3|pages=115–131|doi=10.1353/nas.2007.0009|s2cid=144274717|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722053031/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41931283|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Article 49(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia states:{{citation|title=A Draft Proclamation to Determine the Special Interest of the State of Oromia in Addis Ababa City|url=https://chilot.me/2018/01/15/draft-proclamation-determine-special-interest-state-oromia-addis-ababa-city/|date=15 January 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722053034/https://chilot.me/2018/01/15/draft-proclamation-determine-special-interest-state-oromia-addis-ababa-city/|url-status=usurped}}{{citation|title=Commentary on the draft proclamation of special interest of state of Oromia in Addis Ababa city|url=https://www.abyssinialaw.com/blog-posts/item/1771-commentary-on-the-draft-proclamation-of-special-interest-of-state-of-oromia-in-addis-ababa-city|date=23 November 2017|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907051431/https://www.abyssinialaw.com/blog-posts/item/1771-commentary-on-the-draft-proclamation-of-special-interest-of-state-of-oromia-in-addis-ababa-city|url-status=dead}}{{blockquote|"The special interest of the State of Oromia in Addis Ababa, regarding the provision of social services or the utilization of natural resources and other similar matters, as well as joint administrative matters arising from the location of Addis Ababa within the State of Oromia, shall be respected. Particulars shall be determined by law."}} In 2000, Oromia's capital was moved from Addis Ababa to Adama.{{cite book |last1=Yohannes Mekonnen |title=Ethiopia: the Land, its People, History and Culture |date=2013 |publisher=New Africa Press |location=Washington, DC |isbn=978-9987160242 |page=287 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSgmwugWCGMC&q=In+2000%2C+the+government+moved+the+regional+capital+of+Oromia+from+%5B%5BAddis+Ababa%5D%5D+to+Adama&pg=PA287 |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145938/https://books.google.com/books?id=kSgmwugWCGMC&q=In+2000%2C+the+government+moved+the+regional+capital+of+Oromia+from+%5B%5BAddis+Ababa%5D%5D+to+Adama&pg=PA287 |url-status=live }} Because this move sparked considerable controversy and protests among Oromo students, the Oromo Peoples' Democratic Organization (OPDO), part of the ruling EPRDF coalition, on 10 June 2005, officially announced plans to move the regional capital back to Addis Ababa.{{cite web|date=11 June 2005 |url=http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2005/Jun/11Jun05/Jun11e11.htm |title=Chief Administrator of Oromia says decision to move capital city based on study |publisher=Walta Information Center |access-date=25 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050613234040/http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2005/Jun/11Jun05/Jun11e11.htm |archive-date=13 June 2005 |url-status=dead }} Due to the historical and natural connection between the city and the Oromo people, the Oromia Government has asserted its ownership of Addis Ababa.{{citation|title=Ethiopians are having a tense debate over who really owns Addis Ababa|url=https://qz.com/africa/1022806/ethiopias-oromos-are-asserting-their-rights-for-addis-ababa-or-finfinne/|date=7 July 2017|access-date=19 July 2021|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103182129/https://qz.com/africa/1022806/ethiopias-oromos-are-asserting-their-rights-for-addis-ababa-or-finfinne/|url-status=live}}{{citation|title = The Addis Ababa Integrated Master Plan and the Oromo Claims to Finfinnee in Ethiopia|url = https://brill.com/view/journals/ijgr/26/4/article-p620_620.xml?language=en|date = 30 August 2019|doi = 10.1163/15718115-02604121|last1 = Abate|first1 = Abebe Gizachew|journal = International Journal on Minority and Group Rights|volume = 26|issue = 4|pages = 620–638|s2cid = 150796037|access-date = 19 July 2021|archive-date = 19 July 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210719165715/https://brill.com/view/journals/ijgr/26/4/article-p620_620.xml?language=en|url-status = live|url-access = subscription}} Both the current mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abebe, and the former mayor, Takele Uma Banti are from the former ruling party of Oromia.{{citation|title=News: ODP concludes conference, elects nine crucial members of its executive committee. See who is who |website=Addis Standard |url=https://addisstandard.com/news-odp-concludes-conference-elects-nine-crucial-members-executive-committee-see/|date=21 September 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007080555/https://addisstandard.com/news-odp-concludes-conference-elects-nine-crucial-members-executive-committee-see/|url-status=live}}

File:Addis Ababa SPOT.1003.jpg

File:Addis Ababa district map.svg of Addis Ababa]]

Addis Ababa lies at an elevation of {{convert|2355|m}} and is a grassland biome, located at {{Coord|9|1|48|N|38|44|24|E|type:city(2757729)}}.{{cite web|url=http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |title=April 30, 2012 |date=April 30, 2012 |publisher=NGA: GNS |access-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504031911/http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |archive-date=4 May 2012 }} The city lies at the foot of Mount Entoto and forms part of the watershed for the Awash. From its lowest point, around Bole International Airport, at {{convert|2326|m|ft|}} above sea level in the southern periphery, Addis Ababa rises to over {{convert|3000|m|ft|}} in the Entoto Mountains to the north.

The city is divided into 10 boroughs, called subcities ({{langx|am|ክፍለ ከተማ}}, kifle ketema), and 99 wards ({{langx|am|ቀበሌ}}, kebele).{{cite web|url=http://www.addisababacity.gov.et/index.php/en/site-map |title=Site Map |at=The list in "Sub Cities" section |publisher=Addis Ababa City |access-date=11 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703072415/http://www.addisababacity.gov.et/index.php/en/site-map |archive-date=3 July 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.unhabitat.org/downloads/docs/9175_77451_Cities_and_CitizensSeries_Addis_casablanca_Lagos.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424214620/http://www.unhabitat.org/downloads/docs/9175_77451_Cities_and_CitizensSeries_Addis_casablanca_Lagos.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 April 2011 |title=Article at unhabitat.org (map of Addis Ababa, page 9) |access-date=11 December 2013}} The 10 subcities are:

*Lemi-Kura sub-city was added as the eleventh sub-city of Addis Ababa in 2020

{{Climate chart

| Addis Ababa

| 7 | 24 | 13

| 9 | 25 | 30

| 11 | 25 | 58

| 11 | 25 | 82

| 11 | 25 | 84

| 11 | 23 | 138

| 11 | 21 | 280

| 11 | 21 | 290

| 11 | 22 | 149

| 9 | 24 | 27

| 7 | 23 | 7

| 7 | 23 | 7

|float = right

|clear = right

|source = NMAE{{cite web

|url = http://www.ethiomet.gov.et/climates/climate_of_city/3352/Addis%20Ababa

|title = NMA of Ethiopia

|access-date = 9 May 2010

|publisher = National Meteorological Agency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111023124959/http://www.ethiomet.gov.et/climates/climate_of_city/3352/Addis%20Ababa

|archive-date = 23 October 2011

|url-status = dead

|df = dmy-all

}} }}

Addis Ababa has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb) with precipitation varying considerably by the month.{{cite web |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/532/ |title=Climate: Addis Abeba (altitude: 2350m) – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=6 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404184152/http://en.climate-data.org/location/532/ |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=live}} The city has a complex mix of alpine climate zones, with temperature differences of up to {{convert|10|C-change}}, depending on elevation and prevailing wind patterns. The high elevation moderates temperatures year-round, and the city's position near the Equator means that temperatures are very constant from month to month. As such the climate would be maritime if its elevation was not taken into account, as no month is above {{convert|22|C|F}} in mean temperatures.

Mid-November to January is a season for occasional rain. The highland climate regions are characterised by dry winters, and this is the dry season in Addis Ababa. During this season the daily maximum temperatures are usually not more than {{convert|23|°C}}, And the night-time minumum temperatures will range from 5°C to 10°C and can drop to freezing. The short rainy season is from February to May. During this period, the difference between the daytime maximum temperatures and the nighttime minimum temperatures is not as great as during other times of the year, with minimum temperatures in the range of {{convert|10|-|15|°C}}. At this time of the year, the city experiences warm temperatures and pleasant rainfall. The long wet season is from June to mid-September; it is the coldest time of the year. This period coincides with summer, but the temperatures are much lower than at other times of year because of the frequent rain and hail and the abundance of cloud cover and fewer hours of sunshine. This time of the year is characterised by dark, chilly and wet days and nights.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} The autumn which follows is a transitional period between the wet and dry seasons.

The highest temperature on record was {{convert|30.6|C}} 26 February 2019, while the lowest temperature on record was {{convert|0|C}}, recorded on multiple occasions.

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|location = Addis Ababa (1991-2020, extrems 1898-present)

|metric first = y

|single line = y

|Jan record high C = 28.8

|Feb record high C = 30.6

|Mar record high C = 30.0

|Apr record high C = 30.2

|May record high C = 29.6

|Jun record high C = 29.0

|Jul record high C = 29.1

|Aug record high C = 28.0

|Sep record high C = 25.6

|Oct record high C = 27.1

|Nov record high C = 29.7

|Dec record high C = 26.5

|year record high C = 30.6

|Jan high C = 23.9

|Feb high C = 25.3

|Mar high C = 25.8

|Apr high C = 25.4

|May high C = 25.3

|Jun high C = 23.6

|Jul high C = 21.2

|Aug high C = 20.9

|Sep high C = 21.9

|Oct high C = 23.3

|Nov high C = 23.3

|Dec high C = 23.1

|year high C = 23.6

|Jan mean C = 16.3

|Feb mean C = 17.6

|Mar mean C = 18.6

|Apr mean C = 18.8

|May mean C = 18.8

|Jun mean C = 17.5

|Jul mean C = 16.5

|Aug mean C = 16.4

|Sep mean C = 16.6

|Oct mean C = 16.5

|Nov mean C = 15.9

|Dec mean C = 15.5

|year mean C = 17.1

|Jan low C = 8.6

|Feb low C = 9.9

|Mar low C = 11.6

|Apr low C = 12.2

|May low C = 12.2

|Jun low C = 11.7

|Jul low C = 11.9

|Aug low C = 11.8

|Sep low C = 11.3

|Oct low C = 9.7

|Nov low C = 8.3

|Dec low C = 7.5

|year low C = 10.6

|Jan record low C = 0.0

|Feb record low C = 0.0

|Mar record low C = 0.0

|Apr record low C = 2.5

|May record low C = 4.0

|Jun record low C = 4.2

|Jul record low C = 5.4

|Aug record low C = 5.7

|Sep record low C = 3.9

|Oct record low C = 0.0

|Nov record low C = 0.0

|Dec record low C = 0.0

|year record low C = 0.0

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 13

|Feb rain mm = 30

|Mar rain mm = 58

|Apr rain mm = 82

|May rain mm = 84

|Jun rain mm = 138

|Jul rain mm = 280

|Aug rain mm = 290

|Sep rain mm = 149

|Oct rain mm = 27

|Nov rain mm = 7

|Dec rain mm = 7

|year rain mm =

|unit rain days = 0.1 mm

|Jan rain days = 3

|Feb rain days = 5

|Mar rain days = 7

|Apr rain days = 10

|May rain days = 10

|Jun rain days = 20

|Jul rain days = 27

|Aug rain days = 26

|Sep rain days = 18

|Oct rain days = 4

|Nov rain days = 1

|Dec rain days = 1

|year rain days =

|Jan humidity = 52

|Feb humidity = 51

|Mar humidity = 53

|Apr humidity = 59

|May humidity = 55

|Jun humidity = 68

|Jul humidity = 78

|Aug humidity = 80

|Sep humidity = 75

|Oct humidity = 57

|Nov humidity = 53

|Dec humidity = 53

|year humidity = 62

|Jan sun = 266.6

|Feb sun = 206.2

|Mar sun = 241.8

|Apr sun = 210.0

|May sun = 238.7

|Jun sun = 174.0

|Jul sun = 111.6

|Aug sun = 133.3

|Sep sun = 162.0

|Oct sun = 248.0

|Nov sun = 267.0

|Dec sun = 288.3

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 8.6

|Febd sun = 7.3

|Mard sun = 7.8

|Aprd sun = 7.0

|Mayd sun = 7.7

|Jund sun = 5.8

|Juld sun = 3.6

|Augd sun = 4.3

|Sepd sun = 5.4

|Octd sun = 8.0

|Novd sun = 8.9

|Decd sun = 9.3

|yeard sun = 7.0

| source 1 =Météo Climat{{cite web

| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p65.php

| title = Météo Climat stats for Addis Abeba 1991–2020

| publisher = Météo Climat

| access-date = 15 October 2017}}{{cite web

| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1837

| title = Station Addis Abeba

| publisher = Météo Climat

| language = fr

| access-date = 31 March 2019

| archive-date = 24 February 2021

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210224085328/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1837

| url-status = live

}}

|source 2 =World Meteorological Organisation (rainfall 1981–2010),{{cite web

| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/060/c00162.htm

| title = World Weather Information Service – Addis Ababa

| access-date = 31 March 2019

| publisher = World Meteorological Organisation

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131022180728/http://worldweather.wmo.int/060/c00162.htm

| archive-date = 22 October 2013

| url-status = live

| df = dmy-all}} Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1951–1990, and sun 1985–1998){{cite web

| url = https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_634500_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Addis Abeba (Adis Ababa) / Äthiopien

| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = 31 March 2019

| archive-date = 31 March 2019

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190331143325/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_634500_kt.pdf

| url-status = live

}}

}}

{{Main|Demographics of Addis Ababa}}

File:Addis Abeba07 (Sam Effron).jpg

As of the 2007 population census conducted by the Ethiopian national statistics authorities, Addis Ababa has a total population of 2,739,551 urban and rural inhabitants. For the capital city 662,728 households were counted living in 628,984 housing units, which results in an average of 5.3 persons to a household. Although all Ethiopian ethnic groups are represented in Addis Ababa because it is the capital of the country, the largest groups include the Amhara (47.05%), Oromo (19.51%), Gurage (16.34%), Tigrayan (6.18%), Silt'e (2.94%), and Gamo (1.68%). Languages spoken as mother tongues include Amharic (70.99%), Afaan Oromo (10.72%), Gurage (8.37%), Tigrinya (3.60%), Silt'e (1.82%) and Gamo (1.03%). The religion with the most believers in Addis Ababa is Ethiopian Orthodox with 43% of the population, while 33% are Muslim, 20% Protestant, and 0.48% Catholic.[https://theconversation.com/ethiopia-religious-tension-is-getting-worse-5-factors-driving-groups-apart-214278 "The Conversation"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114002442/http://www.csa.gov.et/index.php?option=com_rubberdoc&view=doc&id=265&format=raw&Itemid=521 |date=14 November 2010 }}, Tables 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4. For Silt'e, the statistics of reported Shitagne speakers were used, on the assumption that this was a typographical error.

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption= Ethnic groups of Addis Ababa (2007){{cite web|publisher=Central Statistical Agency|date=2010|title=Population and Housing Census 2007 Report, National|url=http://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/catalog/3583/download/50086 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082550/http://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/catalog/3583/download/50086 |archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date= 13 December 2016|url-status=live}}

| other = yes

| label1 = Amhara

| value1 = 47.05 | color1 = Yellow

| label2 = Oromo

| value2 = 19.51 | color2 = Green

| label3 = Gurage

| value3 = 16.34 | color3 = Red

| label4 = Tigrayan

| value4 = 6.18 | color4 = Blue

| label5 = Silt'e

| value5 = 2.94| color5 = Purple

| label6 = Gamo

| value6 = 1.68 | color6 = Black

}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Addis Ababa (2007)

|label1 = Ethiopian Orthodox

|value1 = 74.6

|color1 = Orchid

|label2 = Muslim

|value2 = 16.2

|color2 = Green

|label3 = P'ent'ay

|value3 = 7.8

|color3 = DodgerBlue

|label4 = Traditional faiths

|value4 = 0.1

|color4 = GreenYellow

|label5 = Catholic

|value5 = 0.5

|color5 = Yellow

|label6 = Other

|value6 = 0.8

|color6 = Red

}}

In the previous census, conducted in 1994, the city's population was reported to be 2,112,737, of whom 1,023,452 were men and 1,089,285 were women. At that time, not all of the population were urban inhabitants; only 2,084,588 or 98.7% were. For the entire administrative council there were 404,783 households in 376,568 housing units, with an average of 5.2 persons per household. The major ethnic groups included the Amhara (48.27%), Oromo (19.24%), Gurage (13.54%; 9.40% Sebat Bet, and 4.14% Sodo), Tigrayan 7.65%, Silt'e 3.98%, and foreigners from Eritrea 1.34%. Languages spoken included Amharic (72.64%), Afaan Oromo (10.01%), Gurage (6.45%), Tigrinya (5.41%), and Silt'e 2.29%. In 1994 the predominant religion was also Ethiopian Orthodox with 82.0% of the population, while 12.67% were Muslim, 3.87% Protestant, and 0.78% Catholic.[http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck14%5Ck14.pdf "The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Results for Addis Ababa"], Tables 2.1, 2.2, 2.8, 2.13A {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115120815/http://www.csa.gov.et/surveys/Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%201994/survey0/data/docs%5Creport%5CStatistical_Report%5Ck14%5Ck14.pdf |date=15 November 2010 }}

{{Historical populations

| 1984 | 1,412,575

| 1994 | 2,112,737

| 2007 | 2,739,551

| 2023 | 3,945,000

| align = none

| footnote = source:{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Population Size by Sex Zone and Wereda July 2023 |url=http://www.statsethiopia.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Population-of-Zones-and-Weredas-Projected-as-of-July-2023.pdf |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Ethiopian Statistics Agency |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824135816/http://www.statsethiopia.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Population-of-Zones-and-Weredas-Projected-as-of-July-2023.pdf |url-status=dead }}

}}

{{Main|Languages of Ethiopia}}

According to the 2007 national census, 98.64% of the housing units of Addis Ababa had access to safe drinking water, while 14.9% had flush toilets, 70.7% pit toilets (both ventilated and unventilated), and 14.3% had no toilet facilities."Census 2007 Tables: Addis Abeba", Tables, 8.7, 8.8 In 2014, there were 63 public toilets in the city, with plans to build more.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/aug/28/ethiopians-plight-toilets-dirty-no-choice-addis-ababa|title=Ethiopians' plight: 'The toilets are unhealthy, but we don't have a choice'|first=David|last=Smith|date=28 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216042550/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/aug/28/ethiopians-plight-toilets-dirty-no-choice-addis-ababa|archive-date=16 February 2017|url-status=live}} Values for other reported common indicators of the standard of living for Addis Ababa {{As of|2005|lc=on}} include the following: 0.1% of the inhabitants fall into the lowest wealth quintile; adult literacy for men is 93.6% and for women 79.95%, the highest in the nation for both sexes; and the civic infant mortality rate is 45 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, which is less than the nationwide average of 77; at least half of these deaths occurred in the infants' first month of life.Macro International Inc. [http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM636.pdf "2008. Ethiopia Atlas of Key Demographic and Health Indicators, 2005." (Calverton: Macro International, 2008)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105121629/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM636.pdf |date=5 November 2010 }}, pp. 2, 3, 10 (Retrieved 30 September 2010){{Update inline|date=March 2025|reason=most recent information here is from over ten years ago.}}

The city is partially powered by water at the Koka Reservoir.

{{Main article|Economy of Addis Ababa}}

File:Addis_abeba_meskele_square_(cropped).jpg

The economic activities in Addis Ababa are diverse. According to official statistics from the federal government, some 119,197 people in the city are engaged in trade and commerce; 113,977 in manufacturing and industry; 80,391 homemakers of a different variety; 71,186 in civil administration; 50,538 in transport and communication; 42,514 in education, health and social services; 32,685 in hotel and catering services; and 16,602 in agriculture. In addition to the residents of rural parts of Addis Ababa, the city dwellers also participate in animal husbandry and the cultivation of gardens. {{convert|677|ha|acre}} of land is irrigated annually, on which 129,880 quintals of vegetables are cultivated.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} It is a relatively clean and safe city, with the most common crimes being pickpocketing, scams and minor burglary.[https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=64510 Overseas Security Advisory Council – Ethiopia 2007 Crime and Safety Report]{{Dead link|date=July 2013}}. The city has recently been in a construction boom with tall buildings rising in many places. Various luxury services have also become available and the construction of shopping malls has recently increased. According to Tia Goldenberg of IOL, area spa professionals said that some people have labelled the city, "the spa capital of Africa."[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20071106135517792C914512 Massages and manicures hit Addis Ababa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615021453/http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1 |date=15 June 2006 }} by Tia Goldenberg. Retrieved 15 January 2010. IOL. 6 November 2007.

The Ethiopian Airlines has its headquarters on the grounds of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa."[http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/en/corporate/default.aspx Company Profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005083446/http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/en/corporate/default.aspx |date=5 October 2012 }}." Ethiopian Airlines. Retrieved on 3 October 2009.

File:Unity Park Addis Ababa Ethiopia 3.jpg zoo in Addis Ababa]]

The city hosts the We Are the Future centre, a child care centre that provides children with a higher standard of living. The centre is managed under the direction of the mayor's office, and the international NGO Glocal Forum serves as the fundraiser and program planner and coordinator for the WAF child centre in each city. Each WAF city is linked to several peer cities and public and private partners to create a unique international coalition.

Launched in 2004, the program is the result of a strategic partnership between the Glocal Forum, the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation, and Mr Hani Masri, with the support of the World Bank, UN agencies and major companies.

Tourism is a growing industry within Addis Ababa and Ethiopia as a whole. In July 2015, the European Council on Tourism and Trade named Ethiopia the best nation for inbound tourism.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/13/travel/ethiopia-worlds-best-tourism-destination/index.html|title=What makes Ethiopia the world's best spot for tourism?|author=Sophie Eastaugh, for|website=CNN|access-date=14 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114235457/http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/13/travel/ethiopia-worlds-best-tourism-destination/index.html |archive-date=14 November 2016|url-status=live}} The COVID-19 pandemic and Tigray War caused a decrease in tourism.

File:Lion zoo Addis Ababa.jpg]]

Addis Ababa Zoo kept 15 lions in 2011. Their hair samples were used in a genetic analysis, which revealed that they were genetically diverse. It was therefore proposed to include them in a captive breeding programme.{{Cite journal |last=Bruche |first=S. |author2=Gusset, M. |author3=Lippold, S. |author4=Barnett, R. |author5=Eulenberger, K. |author6=Junhold, J. |author7=Driscoll, C. A. |author8= Hofreiter, M. |title=A genetically distinct lion (Panthera leo) population from Ethiopia |journal=European Journal of Wildlife Research |year=2012 |pages=215–225 |doi=10.1007/s10344-012-0668-5 |volume=59 |issue=2|s2cid=508478 }}

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}

{{Main article|Addis Ababa City Administration}}

{{See also|Mayor of Addis Ababa}}

Under the Ethiopian Constitution of 1995, the city of Addis Ababa is one of the two federal cities that are accountable to the Federal Government of Ethiopia. The other city with the same status is Dire Dawa in the east of the country and both are federal cities. Earlier, following the establishment of the federal structure in 1991 under the Transitional Charter of Ethiopia, the City Government of Addis Ababa was one of the then-new 14 regional governments. However, that structure was changed by the federal constitution in 1995 and as a result, Addis Ababa does not have statehood status.

The administration of Addis Ababa city consists of the Mayor, who leads the executive branch, and the City Council, which enacts city regulations. However, as part of the Federal Government, the federal legislature enacts laws that are binding in Addis Ababa. Members of the City Council are directly elected by the residents of the city and the council, in turn, elects the Mayor among its members. The term of office for elected officials is five years. However, the Federal Government, when it deems necessary, can dissolve the City Council and the entire administration and replace it with a temporary administration until elections take place next. Residents of Addis Ababa are represented in the federal legislature, the House of Peoples' Representatives. However, the city is not represented in the House of Federation, which is the federal upper house constituted by the representatives of the member states. The executive branch under the Mayor comprises the City Manager and various branches of civil service offices.

Adanech Abebe is serving as the mayor of Addis Ababa since 2020, preceded by Takele Uma Banti. She is the first woman to hold mayorship since its creation in 1910. Before Takele, the Federal Government appointed Berhane Deressa to lead the temporary caretaker administration that served from 9 May 2006 to 30 October 2008 following the 2005 election crisis. In the 2005 national election, the ruling EPRDF party suffered a major defeat in Addis Ababa. However, the opposition who won in Addis Ababa did not take part in the government both on the regional and federal levels. This situation forced the EPRDF-led Federal Government to assign a temporary administration until a new election was carried out. As a result, Berhane Deressa, an independent citizen, was appointed.

Former mayors of Addis Ababa include Arkebe Oqubay (2003–06), Zewde Teklu (1985–89), Alemu Abebe (1977–85) and Zewde Gebrehiwot (1960–69).

{{Main article|Crime in Addis Ababa}}

Addis Ababa is considered to be extremely safe in comparison to the other cities in the region.{{cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/news/5-reasons-to-visit-addis-ababa-now-11088|title=5 Reasons to Visit Addis Ababa Now|website=www.fodors.com|date=12 December 2014|access-date=14 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114235156/http://www.fodors.com/news/5-reasons-to-visit-addis-ababa-now-11088|archive-date=14 November 2016|url-status=live}} However, there are a number of crimes within the city including theft, scams, mugging, robbery and others. Rural-urban migration and unemployment has been preliminary factors affecting the city by elevating crime rate.{{Cite web |date=1 August 2022 |title=Crime Victimization and its Impact |url=http://213.55.95.56/bitstream/handle/123456789/24295/Melesse%20Kindu.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |access-date=1 August 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315072446/http://213.55.95.56/bitstream/handle/123456789/24295/Melesse%20Kindu.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }}

The Addis Ababa Federal Police is the main department of the Federal Police established in 2003.{{Cite web |date=8 August 2022 |title=Federal Negarit Gazeta |url=https://chilot.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/reg-no-96-2003-addis-ababa-city-police-commission.pdf |access-date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519074256/https://chilot.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/reg-no-96-2003-addis-ababa-city-police-commission.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of churches in Addis Ababa}}

File:Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa (3434312871).jpg, the seat of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]

File:Anwar Grand Mosque.jpg is the largest mosque in Addis Ababa]]

Among the places of worship, there are predominantly Christian churches and temples: Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (Lutheran World Federation), Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church, Ethiopian Catholic Archeparchy of Addis Ababa (Catholic Church), Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers' ChurchJ. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1004-1007 and also Muslim mosques.

In most churches, Emperor Haile Selassie employed political propagandic panel that demonstrate his imperial power, cult of personality and ultranationalist views. Saint George's Cathedral has central of subjects involving incident of Second Italo-Ethiopian War that he struggled for independence. This church named after an Ark (tabot) carried during Battle of Adwa.{{Cite journal |last=Rubinkowska-Anioł |first=Hanna |title=The Paintings in St George Church in Addis Ababa as a Method of Conveying Information about History and Power |url=https://www.academia.edu/21297203 |journal=Studies in African Languages and Cultures |issue=49 |pages=115–141 |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514200609/https://www.academia.edu/21297203 |url-status=live }} It was once ruined by Fascist Italian government in 1937 but was immediately reconstructed after liberation of Ethiopia in 1941. The church, located at the northern end of Churchill Road—is unique octagonal architecture—has a museum of imperial weaponry including swords and tridents and giant helmets made from the manes of lions which was used during the Italian invasion. Holy Trinity Cathedral also sits in the city serving as the headquarters of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. As the largest and highest cathedral in the country, Holy Trinity Cathedral was founded in commemoration of victory against the Italian invasion, and second most important place after the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum. Before reign of Emperor Menelik II, the church was monastery. The church served burial of major prominent people in Ethiopia, also tombs of imperial family such as Haile Selassie and his wife Menen Asfaw, the third patriarch Abuna Tekle Haymanot and Abune Paulos. Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also interred to this church. Other include British Ethiopianist and suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst also entombed here. The Ba'etta Mariam Orthodox Church embodies Menelik Palace and Mausoleum and the biggest church around the place with smaller churches stand in front of it. It is frequently visited church. The other nearby church is Gebbi Gabriel which has unique decorated cross at the dome of the church and at its entrance.{{Cite web |title=City Walk: Religious Buildings, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |url=https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/religious-buildings-5205.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=GPSmyCity |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328190152/https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/religious-buildings-5205.html |url-status=live }}

From mosque, the most notable is the Grand Anwar Mosque, which was located in Merkato, at the heart of the city. It was built in 1922 by the order of Italian government.{{Cite web |title=The Grand Anwar Mosque |url=http://www.addisababa.travel/index.php/travel-category/53-the-grand-anwar-mosque |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=www.addisababa.travel |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514200609/http://www.addisababa.travel/index.php/travel-category/53-the-grand-anwar-mosque |url-status=live }} Nur Mosque counted as an oldest Islamic temple recently rebuilt with Islamic architecture characterized by the use of domes, towers and piers.

File:DVgl42X4AAYT2T.jpg

File:Old Train Station (211109825).jpeg]]

File:ETG Design wegagen close up.jpg]]

A financial district is under construction in Addis Ababa.{{cite web|url=http://hahudaily.com/2015/08/05/ethiopia-building-a-financial-center-in-addis-ababa/|title=Ethiopia building a Financial District in Addis Ababa|first=Abiy|last=Solomon|access-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011005818/http://hahudaily.com/2015/08/05/ethiopia-building-a-financial-center-in-addis-ababa/|archive-date=11 October 2016|url-status=usurped}}

Former mayor Kuma Demeksa embarked on a quest to improve investment for the buildings in the city. Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union.{{Cite book|title=The Columbia Encyclopedia|last=Lagasse|first=Paul|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2018|edition=8th|location=New York, NY|via=Credo Reference}}

Notable taller architecture in Addis Ababa includes the CBE headquarters, NIB international bank, Zemen bank, Hibret bank, Huda Tower, Nani Tower, Bank Misr Building, as well as the approved Angola World Trade Center Tower, Abyssinia Bank Tower, Mexico Square Tower, and the $200m AU Conference Center and Office Complex.Addis Today by Molalign GIRMA, 2014

Notable buildings include St George's Cathedral (founded in 1896 and also home to a museum), Holy Trinity Cathedral (once the largest Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral and the location of Sylvia Pankhurst's tomb) as well as the burial place of Emperor Haile Selassie and the Imperial family, and those who fought the Italian invasion during World War II.

In the Merkato district, which is the largest open market in Africa, is the Grand Anwar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Ethiopia built during the Italian occupation. A few meters to the southwest of the Anwar Mosque is the Raguel Church built after the liberation by Empress Menen. The proximity of the mosque and the church has symbolized the long peaceful relations between Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family is also in the Merkato district. Near Bole International Airport is the new Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) Orthodox Cathedral, which is the second-largest in Africa.

The Entoto Mountains start among the northern suburbs. Suburbs of the city include Shiro Meda and Entoto in the north, Urael and Bole (home to Bole International Airport) in the east, Nifas Silk in the south-east, Mekanisa in the south, and Keraniyo and Kolfe in the west. Kolfe was mentioned in Nelson Mandela's Autobiography "A Long Walk to Freedom", as the place he got military training.

Addis Ababa has a distinct architectural style. Unlike many African cities, Addis Ababa was not built as a colonial settlement. This means that the city has not a European style of architecture. This changed with the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1936. The Piazza district in the city centre is the most evident indicator of Italian influence. The buildings are very much Italian in style and there are many Italian restaurants, as well as small cafes, and European-style shopping centres.{{cite web|url=http://www.world-guides.com/africa/east-africa/ethiopia/ethiopia_addis_ababa.html|title=Ethiopia Capital City, About Addis Ababa Tourism and Travel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115131857/http://www.world-guides.com/africa/east-africa/ethiopia/ethiopia_addis_ababa.html|archive-date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=14 November 2016}}

Parks include the Africa Park, which is situated along Menelik II Avenue and Unity Park at the Palace.{{cite web|title=Unity Park (Addis Ababa) – 2021 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)|url=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293791-d19283853-Reviews-Unity_Park-Addis_Ababa.html|access-date=15 February 2021|website=Tripadvisor|language=en|archive-date=26 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226215247/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293791-d19283853-Reviews-Unity_Park-Addis_Ababa.html|url-status=live}}

Other features of the city include the large Mercato market, the Jan Meda racecourse, Bihere Tsige Recreation Centre and a railway line to Djibouti.

The city is home to the Ethiopian National Library, the Ethiopian Ethnological Museum (and former Guenete Leul Palace), the Addis Ababa Museum, the Ethiopian Natural History Museum, the Ethiopian Railway Museum and National Postal Museum.

File:Abenezer shewag addis 001.jpg seen top left]]

There is also Menelik's old Imperial palace which remains the official seat of government, and the National Palace formerly known as the Jubilee Palace (built to mark Emperor Haile Selassie's Silver Jubilee in 1955) which is the residence of the President of Ethiopia. Jubilee Palace was also modeled after Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom. Africa Hall is located across Menelik II avenue from this Palace and is where the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is headquartered as well as most UN offices in Ethiopia. It is also the site of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which eventually became the African Union (AU). The African Union is now housed in a new headquarters built on the site of the demolished Akaki Prison, on land donated by Ethiopia for this purpose in the southwestern part of the city. The Hager Fikir Theatre, the oldest theatre in Ethiopia, is located in the Piazza district. Near Holy Trinity Cathedral is the art deco Parliament building, built during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, with its clock tower. It continues to serve as the seat of Parliament today. Across from the Parliament is the Shengo Hall, built by the Derg regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam as its new parliament hall. The Shengo Hall was the world's largest pre-fabricated building, which was constructed in Finland before being assembled in Addis Ababa. It is used for large meetings and conventions. Itegue Taitu Hotel, built-in 1898 (Ethiopian Calendar) in the middle of the city (Piazza), was the first hotel in Ethiopia.

Meskel Square is one of the noted squares in the city, serving as the site for the annual Meskel at the end of September annually when thousands gather in celebration.

The fossilized skeleton and a plaster replica of the early hominid Lucy (known in Ethiopia as Dinkinesh) is preserved at the National Museum of Ethiopia.

{{further|Culture of Ethiopia}}

Addis Ababa is a melting pot of different communities throughout the country's regions, along with Dire Dawa.{{cite web|last=Sew|first=Mistir|date=2021-08-02|title=Dire Dawa's dilemma: Sharing power in Ethiopia's eastern melting pot|url=https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2021/08/02/dire-dawas-dilemma-sharing-power-in-ethiopias-eastern-melting-pot/|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Ethiopia Insight|language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704152306/https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2021/08/02/dire-dawas-dilemma-sharing-power-in-ethiopias-eastern-melting-pot/|url-status=live}} In Addis Ababa, cultural assimilation is ubiquitous and widely known.{{cite web|title=Addis Ababa: Culture – Tripadvisor|url=https://en.tripadvisor.com.hk/Travel-g293791-s202/Addis-Ababa:Ethiopia:Culture.html|access-date=2022-01-30|website=en.tripadvisor.com.hk|language=en-HK|archive-date=30 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130130356/https://en.tripadvisor.com.hk/Travel-g293791-s202/Addis-Ababa:Ethiopia:Culture.html|url-status=live}}

File:Central Exhibition Hall - National Museum of Ethiopia - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia (8744259542).jpg]]

The National Museum of Ethiopia hosts many artifacts and artistic treasures in Ethiopia. It is also home of archaeological exhibition. The partial specimen of Australopithecus afarensis, and its successor Selam are noteworthy among viewed galleries in the museum. The museum also has wide-range ceremonial costumes of Solomonic dynasty, which was initiated in 1936. Arts include mostly works of Afewerk Tekle, one of the most renowned gallery, and the depiction of meeting between Solomon and Queen of Sheba.{{cite web|title=Photographs of the National Museum of Ethiopia|url=https://independent-travellers.com/ethiopia/addis_ababa/national_museum/|website=Independent Travellers|publisher=independent-travellers.com|access-date=21 June 2017|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818010439/https://independent-travellers.com/ethiopia/addis_ababa/national_museum/|url-status=live}}

File:HagerFikirTheatre.jpg in April 2006]]

File:Ethiopian National Theatre.jpg entrance]]

Addis Ababa is home of many theatres, including the long run Hager Fikir Theatre, which served many prominent figures performance. In addition, the Ethiopian National Theatre is also located in the city's hub. It was founded by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1955, who eponymously renamed it. Historically, the Amhara culture dominated the country's art scene; rituals connected to priesthood based on Coptic church, most often using improvised art such as shinsheba and qene.

Tekle Hawariat introduced modern European dramas based on La Fontaine{{'s}} fable around 1916.{{Cite book |last=Organization |first=World Intellectual Property |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFPuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65 |title=National Studies on Assessing the Economic Contribution of the Copyright-Based Industries - Series no. 9 |date=2016-03-31 |publisher=WIPO |isbn=978-92-805-2745-2 |language=en |access-date=29 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704145937/https://books.google.com/books?id=qFPuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65 |url-status=live }} Mattewos Bekele and Iyoel Yohannes became famous playwright, and Makonnen Endalkachew's David and Orion and King David III was renowned by that time. In the Derg era, propagandic communist pieces often conceded and several new theatres were opened until the successive government under EPRDF altered new form of cultural life with continuation of development.{{cite web|title=Theater in Ethiopia – All Country List|date=26 February 2019 |url=https://www.allcountrylist.com/theater-in-ethiopia/|access-date=2022-02-19|language=en-US|archive-date=19 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219155727/https://www.allcountrylist.com/theater-in-ethiopia/|url-status=live}}

Notable modern cinemas including:{{cite web|title=Best Cinemas in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – List of Cinemas Ethiopia|url=https://www.ethyp.com/category/Cinemas/city:Addis_Ababa|access-date=2022-02-19|website=www.ethyp.com|language=en|archive-date=19 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219152635/https://www.ethyp.com/category/Cinemas/city:Addis_Ababa|url-status=live}}

• Children Youth Theatre
• Agona Cinema
• Haile & Alem Inter
• Cinema Yoftahe
• Sebastopol
• Matin Multiplex

There are variety of scientific and research institutes in Addis Ababa. The Addis Ababa Science and Technology University has a goal of to bring "Ethiopia economically and industrialized state". The university was founded in 2011 under Directive of the Council of Ministers No. 216/2011. The city is home of various scientific organizations notably the Science and Technology Information Center. Addis Ababa has a science museum built by MadaTech's exhibition crew. The national museum is 250 square feet with 30 interactive images of scientific objects. The museum was launched by Jewish-American businessman Mark Gelfand, who spent his money more than in MadaTech and sought resurrection of science museum in all over of the world.{{Cite web |title=The science museum in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia |url=https://www.madatech.org.il/en/the-science-museum-in-addis-ababa---ethiopia |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=www.madatech.org.il |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328190154/https://www.madatech.org.il/en/the-science-museum-in-addis-ababa---ethiopia |url-status=live }} Some prominent facilities of scientific and technology include the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, while the National Intelligence and Security Service also headquartered in Addis Ababa responsible for upholding national security of the country.

{{Further|Mass media in Ethiopia}}

File:Ethiopian Television.JPG headquarters in Addis Ababa]]

Addis Ababa has the largest mass media concentration in the country. Radio stations generally state-owned with 50 community licensed by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority, with four licensing opts for 29 local languages. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation is a public broadcaster which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa. Private television commenced with the launch of EBS TV in 2008, and many private channels grew in the beginning of 2016. For example, Kana TV, Fana TV, LTV and JTV Ethiopia. As of October 2016, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency licensed with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Walta Information Center and Arki Broadcasting Service and Ed Stelar Training as commercial FM stations. There were reached eight analogue and nine television stations in Ethiopia. Nine stations were available in Addis Ababa and were public owned.{{Cite web |title=Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency grants satellite TV licenses to three stations as it eyes digital migration |url=https://africabusinesscommunities.com/news/ethiopian-broadcasting-agency-grants-satellite-tv-licenses-to-three-stations-as-it-eyes-digital-migration.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Africa Business Communities |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328190153/https://africabusinesscommunities.com/news/ethiopian-broadcasting-agency-grants-satellite-tv-licenses-to-three-stations-as-it-eyes-digital-migration.html |url-status=live }}

Addis Ababa serves major sporting events, notably the Jan Meda International Cross Country. It hosts four races, with senior and junior (under-20) for both sexes. The city is known for annual 10 km road event called the Great Ethiopian Run, created by athlete Haile Gebrselassie, Peter Middlebrook and Abi Masefield in late October 2000. Yet, course records were broken by Deriba Merga (28:18.61 in 2006) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (31:55 in 2019) of both men and women respectively.

Addis Ababa is home to Addis Ababa Stadium, Abebe Bikila Stadium, named after Shambel Abebe Bikila, and Nyala Stadium. The 2008 African Championships in Athletics were held in Addis Ababa.

File:ET Addis asv2018-01 img13 University gate.jpg]]

Emperor Menelik II introduced modern secular education to Addis Ababa in the early 20th century, a significant shift from the centuries-old education system dominated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In 1906, he opened the first public school in the city. While Menelik faced disapproval from the some who were accustomed to traditional educational practices, the Emperor encouraged the expansion of educational institutions and even went as far as preparing legislation to make school attendance compulsory for boys over 12 years old.{{Cite journal |last=Mulgeta |first=Eteffa |date=2022-03-19 |title=Education In Ethiopia In Its Historical And Cultural Content |url=https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED066267 |journal=Foreign Curriculum Consultant Wayne County Intermediate School District Detroit, Michigan |pages=5–6 |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513015220/https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED066267 |url-status=live }}

Addis Ababa University was founded in 1950 and was originally named "University College of Addis Ababa", then renamed in 1962 for the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I who had donated his Genete Leul Palace to be the university's main campus in the previous year. It is the home of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies and the Ethnological Museum. The city also has numerous public universities and private colleges including Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Ethiopian Civil Service University, Admas University College, St. Mary's University, Unity University, Kotebe Metropolitan University and Rift Valley University.

In May 2002, a businesswoman named Zemi Yenus created a school for children with autism in the city, called the Joy Center. Within two years, it was moved to a larger building.{{cite news |last1=Zeliadt |first1=Nicholette |title=Why autism remains hidden in Africa |url=https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/autism-remains-hidden-africa/ |work=Spectrum |date=13 December 2017 |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623163259/https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/autism-remains-hidden-africa/ |url-status=live }}

In 2022 the new Abrehot Library was completed on former parkland opposite the Parliament Building, becoming the largest library in Ethiopia.

Research indicates that the increase in Addis Ababa's private education sector is a result of the demand for quality education. In 2002/2003, privately owned schools accounted for 98%, 78%, 53%, 41%, and 67% of preschool, primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and college institutions, respectively, compared to a survey from 1994. However, adequate school enrollment is often problematic, as parents frequently prefer to enroll their children in private schools rather than government-run institutions. Private primary schools tend to be more successful in terms of resourcing, business and financial management, and educational protocols, as they often have less bureaucratic administrations.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-19 |title=School Choice And Policy Response: A Comparative Context Between Private And Public Schools In Urban Ethiopia |url=https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1076&context=africancenter_icad_archive |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328190153/https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1076&context=africancenter_icad_archive |url-status=live }}

{{Main article|Transportation in Addis Ababa}}

File:Bole international airport.jpg]]

File:Addis Abeba Taxis (Sam Effron).jpg is the main public transport in Addis Ababa]]

Public transport is through public buses from three different companies (Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise, Sheger, Alliance), Light Rail or blue and white taxis. The taxis are usually minibuses that can seat at most twelve people, which follow somewhat pre-defined routes. The minibus taxis are typically operated by two people, the driver and a weyala who collects fares and calls out the taxi's destination. Sedan taxis work like normal taxis and are driven to the desired destination on demand. In recent years, new taxi companies have appeared, which use other designs, including one large company using yellow sedan taxis and a few ride-hailing companies (Ride taxi, Feres, etc.) have become widely accessible in the city.

The construction of the Addis Ababa Ring Road was initiated in 1998 to implement the city master plan and enhance peripheral development. The Ring Road was divided into three major phases that connect all the five main gates in and out of Addis Ababa with all other regions (Jimma, Bishoftu, Dessie, Gojjam and Ambo). For this project, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was the partner of Addis Ababa City Roads Authority (AACRA).{{cite web |url=http://www.pdf-searcher.com/ADDIS-ABABA-RING-ROAD-PROJECT:-A-Case-Study-of-a-Chinese-....html |access-date=8 December 2010 |title=International Conference on Multi-National Construction Projects: Addis Ababa Ring Road Project – A Case Study of a Chinese ... |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174403/http://www.pdf-searcher.com/ADDIS-ABABA-RING-ROAD-PROJECT%3A-A-Case-Study-of-a-Chinese-....html |archive-date=3 March 2016}} The Ring Road has greatly helped to decongest and alleviate city traffic.

Intercity bus service is provided by the Lion City Bus Services.

The city is served by Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where a new terminal opened in 2003.

Addis Ababa originally had a railway connection with Djibouti City, with a picturesque French-style railway station, but this route has been abandoned. The new Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway started operation in September 2016, running parallel to the route of the original railway line.

{{Main|Addis Ababa Light Rail}}

File:ET Addis asv2018-01 img07 Light Rail.jpg is the first light rail in sub-Saharan Africa]]

Addis Ababa opened its light rail system to the public on 20 September 2015. The system is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ethiopian Railway Corporation reached a funding agreement worth millions of dollars with the Export and Import Bank of China in September 2010 and the light rail project was completed in January 2015. The route is a {{convert|34.25|km|adj=on}} network with two lines; the operational line running from the centre to the south of the city. Upon completion, the east–west line will run from Ayat to the Torhailoch ring-road, and from Menelik Square to Merkato Bus Station, Meskel Square and Akaki.{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/chinese-funding-for-addis-abeba-light-rail.html

|access-date=1 October 2010

|title=Railway Gazette: Chinese funding for Addis Abeba light rail

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101013001714/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/chinese-funding-for-addis-abeba-light-rail.html| archive-date= 13 October 2010 | url-status= live}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa#Ethiopia|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Ethiopia}}

Addis Ababa is twinned with:{{cite web|title=Ethiopia: Addis' sister cities, historical ties|url=http://tuckmagazine.com/2018/12/11/ethiopia-addis-sister-cities/|website=tuckmagazine.com|publisher=Tuck Magazine|date=11 December 2018|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=12 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012065622/http://tuckmagazine.com/2018/12/11/ethiopia-addis-sister-cities/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Harare, S. Korean city strengthen ties|url=https://www.pressreader.com/zimbabwe/the-herald-zimbabwe/20180227/281590946056151|via=PressReader|publisher=The Herald (Zimbabwe)|date=27 February 2018|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=12 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012065622/https://www.pressreader.com/zimbabwe/the-herald-zimbabwe/20180227/281590946056151|url-status=live}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• {{flagicon|Turkey}} Ankara, Turkey
• {{flagicon|Israel}} Beersheba, Israel
• {{flagicon|China}} Beijing, China
• {{flagicon|South Korea}} Chuncheon, South Korea
• {{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} Harare, Zimbabwe
• {{flagicon|South Africa}} Johannesburg, South Africa
• {{flagicon|Sudan}} Khartoum, Sudan
• {{flagicon|Germany}} Leipzig, Germany
• {{flagicon|Zambia}} Lusaka, Zambia
• {{flagicon|France}} Lyon, France
• {{flagicon|Kenya}} Nairobi, Kenya
• {{flagicon|United States}} Washington, D.C., United States
• {{flagicon|Namibia}} Windhoek, Namibia{{Cite news | title=Windhoek and Addis Ababa Sign Twinning Agreement at African Urban Forum | last=Rasmeni | first=Mandisa | newspaper=Namibia Economist | date=8 September 2024 | url=https://economist.com.na/91007/headlines/windhoek-and-addis-ababa-sign-twinning-agreement-at-african-urban-forum/}}

{{div col end}}

File:Arat Kilo Monument.JPG|Arat Kilo monument

File:AddisView.jpg|Addis Ababa Sheger Park

File:Oromia Cultural Center Addis Ababa.jpg|Oromia Cultural Center in Addis Ababa

File:Unity_Park_Addis_Ababa_Ethiopia_2.jpg|Unity Park Addis Ababa

File:Ethiopian Commercial Bank Addis Abeba.jpg|Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

File:ET Addis asv2018-01 img01 Meskel Square.jpg|Meskel Square

File:Cathédrale Saint Georges Addis Abeba1.jpg|St George's Cathedral

File:HagerFikirTheatre.jpg|Hager Fikir Theatre (April 2006)

File:Ethiopian Television.JPG|Ethiopian Radio and Television station

File:Ethiopian Federal Police HQ Addis Abeba.JPG|Headquarters of the Ethiopian Federal Police

File:Light Rail Traffic Circle.jpg|Light rail overpass at Mexico Square

{{main article|Category:People from Addis Ababa}}

• Ephraim Isaac: Scholar of Ancient Semitic Studies{{cite web|url=http://instituteofsemiticstudies.org/|title=Institute of Semitic Studies|website=instituteofsemiticstudies.org|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224062138/http://instituteofsemiticstudies.org/|archive-date=24 December 2016|url-status=dead}}
• Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi: richest person in Ethiopia (worth $8.1 billion){{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/mohammed-al-amoudi/|title=Mohammed Al Amoudi|website=Forbes|access-date=22 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230153554/https://www.forbes.com/profile/mohammed-al-amoudi/|archive-date=30 December 2017|url-status=live}}
• Haile Gebrselassie: Ethiopian long-distance runner
• Kenenisa Bekele: Ethiopian long-distance runner
• Tedros Adhanom: Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Saladin Said: Ethiopian soccer player
• Mahder Assefa: Actress
• Mulatu Astatke: Ethiopian Jazz musician
• Mahmoud Ahmed: Ethiopian singer
• Teddy Afro: Ethiopian singer
• Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Founder of Sole Rebels{{cite web|url=https://www.solerebels.com/pages/our-founder|title=Our Founder|website=soleRebels|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101091301/https://www.solerebels.com/pages/our-founder|archive-date=1 January 2017|url-status=dead}}
• Eténèsh Wassié: Ethiopian azmari
• Ruth Negga: Actress{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/loving/ruth-negga-profile/|title=Ruth Negga: tipped for Oscars glory|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=19 January 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814090508/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/loving/ruth-negga-profile/|url-status=live}}
• Zemi Yenus: Autism awareness advocate

• ALERT (medical facility)
• Large Cities Climate Leadership Group
• Oromia Region
• Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne
• Zewditu Hospital

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book| author=Pankhurst, Richard | title=The Ethiopians: A History (Peoples of Africa)|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell; New Ed edition| year=2001| isbn=0-631-22493-9 |ref=Pankhurt 2001}}

• {{usurped|1=[https://cityaddisababa.gov.et/ Addis Ababa City Administration]}}

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