Addis Ababa City Corridor Project

Addis Ababa City Corridor Project

Location	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Status	Under construction
Groundbreaking	29 December 2022 (2022-12-29)
Estimated completion	2025
Companies
Contractor	China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation World Bank (since 2016)
Developer	Addis Ababa City Roads Authority

The Addis Ababa City Corridor Project, also known as Smart City Project, is an ongoing urban planning project in the city of Addis Ababa initiated by the Addis Ababa City Administration in December 2022 to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity among the corridors. Due in 2025, the project aims to expand metropolis that incorporates the construction of bicycle routes, spacious pedestrian walkways, better roads, parks, libraries, and additional housing.

The Addis Ababa City Roads Authority awarded three million birr contract to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the World Bank, the latter previously contracted since 2016. The Corridor project has been controversial due to relation with the current house demolition in Addis Ababa.

Overview

The Addis Ababa City Corridor Project was launched by the Addis Ababa City Administration on 29 December 2022 to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity among the corridors. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by high ranking officials like Mayor of Addis Ababa Adanech Abebe. Targeted places and routes were from Mexico to Sar Bet and Wollo Sefer. It was expected to be completed in 2025. The project aims to expand metropolis that includes projects for the construction of bicycle routes, spacious pedestrian walkways, better roads, parks, libraries, and additional housing. To improve quality of life, drainage systems would fully developed, upgrading utility networks such as power and internet. During a meeting with project leaders on 27 March 2024, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the necessity of project with the goal of transforming Addis Ababa to "hospitable and livable metropolis" for its citizens, He acknowledges the potential effect on government-owned or leased properties, low-income communities, and the private sector during the project phase and stakeholders would benefitted from the involvement.

The City Administration prepared land plot auction amidst the project, primarily in Piassa. The corridor project often has been related to widespread house demolition in the city. In May 2022, the corridor project launched Chaka Project, aiming toward the renewal of forest in Yeka sub-city and added scenery of artificial lakes, resorts and residencies. Its operation maintained by a contractor named E-tollo with 500 billion birr.