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Diluting the concentration of economic and political power may temper the demographic, environmental, and inter-communal pressures on Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, serves as a vibrant hub for national and continental politics.
But Africa’s diplomatic center is facing serious, multifaceted challenges that endanger its stability. These include rapid population growth, ethno-political struggles, increasing economic pressures, and pressing environmental concerns.
Though not without its pitfalls, the establishment of a second Ethiopian capital city may stabilize Addis Ababa and Ethiopia at large.
Addis’ Location
Addis Ababa sits near Ethiopia’s geographic center. The relocation of the imperial capital from Ankober—a town in today’s North Shewa Zone of Amhara region—to Entoto then finally to Addis Ababa was a strategic decision by Emperor Menelik II in the late 1880s following his southerly territorial expansion.
In theory, this continues to enhance its outreach and accessibility. Its favorable climatic conditions and location at the intersection of Ethiopia’s agro-ecological divide mean the surrounding areas are productive.
But ongoing political contests have turned Addis Ababa’s advantageous location into a liability. Entirely surrounded by Oromia region, the roads connecting the city to the rest of the country have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions by militias.
Moreover, rising tensions concerning the expansion of Addis Ababa into Oromia have hampered the city’s ability to grow outwards to accommodate the substantial population influx and its development demands. Notably, the so-called “Master Plan” that sought to expand the capital sparked protests in Oromia in 2014 that led to a brutal government crackdown and ultimately brought down the former government.1Amidst the Oromo protest movement, there was a period between 2014 and 2016 when the roads leading to Addis Ababa experienced blockades. These actions intensified, particularly following the apprehension of key protest leaders. Furthermore, the unfortunate demise of artist Hachalu Hundessa in June 2020 triggered widespread civil turmoil across Oromia that led to the obstruction of roads connecting to Addis.
Recently, this has led to the formation of a contentious administrative entity in Oromia encircling Addis Ababa named Sheger City, which confronts the city with new physical and organizational limitations.
Population Growth
In recent years, Addis Ababa has become one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Initially spurring an economic upswing, in the long run this population growth presents challenges.2Ethiopia’s population has been rapidly increasing since the 1990s, now reaching an estimated 127 million people.
With an estimated population of 5.3 million, Addis Ababa is more than ten times larger than Ethiopia’s second biggest city, Dire Dawa. In this sense, it stands out as an extreme example of high demographic concentration and economic dynamism in low-income country capitals.
The persistence of low-productivity agricultural practices, land degradation through cultivation on fragile lands, depletion of land cover and soil fertility, increasing soil acidity, the absence of professional opportunities outside of the capital, and recurring cycles of drought have all contributed to the recent surge in migration towards Addis Ababa. This is amplified by the country’s demographics, as 71 percent of Ethiopians are below 30 years of age.
A sense of political disenfranchisement in rural areas and the recent uptick of political violence across the country have accelerated this trend. The high costs and risks associated with illegal migration to other destinations, such as the Middle East, South Africa, and Europe, have further compounded the influx.
As the rapid population growth is accentuating Addis Ababa’s comparative weight vis-a-vis other Ethiopian urban spaces, the political importance of controlling the capital is increasing.
Environmental Challenges
Addis Ababa’s continued population growth has also compounded major environmental challenges. With its population having more than doubled since 2000, the impact of traffic congestion, air pollution, and waste disposal have all been exacerbated.
As the growing population has produced a proliferation of informal settlements, green spaces in and around the city are diminishing. This aggravates the risk of flooding and landslides.
The lack of functioning sewage systems is not limited to old infrastructure but is still common in construction projects. In turn, untreated human and industrial waste pollutes Addis Ababa’s rivers and affects downstream communities’ water sources and farm land.
As an estimated 60 percent of the vegetables feeding the city are drawn from polluted rivers, citizens of the capital bear the health cost of rapid urbanization.
Ownership Disputes
Driven partly by the disproportionate concentration of major foreign and domestic companies, Addis Ababa finds itself at the center of the ethnopolitical contestation currently defining Ethiopian politics.3For instance, Addis Ababa received over 60 percent of total foreign direct investment from China in 2019.
Competing groups seek to establish their claims over Addis Ababa by invoking law, history, and demography.
Some Oromo activists assert an exclusive ownership claim over what they call Finfinnee in Afaan Oromoo. In response, diaspora Amhara activists have called for an “immediate Amhara administration of Addis Ababa” to prevent what they allege is a plan to ethnically cleanse the city’s Amhara inhabitants.
This ownership dispute is partly rooted in differing interpretations of Article 49 in the Ethiopian constitution. This identifies Addis Ababa as the capital of the Federal State of Ethiopia and outlines the right to self-governance by the residents of Addis Ababa, as well as the “special interest” of Oromia region in Addis Ababa.
Oromo activists claim this as the legal basis for Oromo control, while Amhara groups, among others, vehemently reject Oromo jurisdiction. This politicization endangers Addis Ababa’s multicultural character.
Competing Narratives
Due to the multiethnic structure of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP), this dispute has infiltrated its various factions.
The Oromia-PP and activists aim to preserve the Oromo identity and culture from what they perceive as Semiticization and Abyssinization. Opposition factions strive to protect the city from being swallowed by Oromummaa—which describes the political project of promoting perceived historically oppressed Oromo interests and culture, and recentering Oromo nationalism in Ethiopian politics.
These contests are anchored in the clashing historiographical accounts of different social groups regarding the development of the Ethiopian state. Some have termed this Ethiopia’s historical obsession.
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Oromia-PP and other Oromo proponents use narratives of internal colonialism to claim the capital was established by dispossessing, exploiting, and oppressing “indigenous” Oromos. They argue that Finfinnee is ancestral Oromo land that was forcibly taken over by the neighboring Amhara community under the rule of Emperor Menelik II during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, eventually transforming it into the city now known as Addis Ababa.
Conversely, Amhara politicians and activists argue Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu revitalized the ruins of a former Amhara-dominated city. According to this perspective, Addis Ababa is a rediscovery of the city called Barara, initially established by the Amhara King Dawit I in the 14th century but later destroyed by Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century war between Ethiopia and the Adal Sultanate.4Ahmed Gragn is an Amharic name for Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, a military leader of the Adal Sultanate who embarked on a conquest that brought three-quarters of Ethiopia under the power of the Muslim Kingdom of Adal during the Ethiopian-Adal War from 1529-43.
The incompatibility of these narratives and the conviction with which these positions are held fuel deepening inter-communal animosity.
Demographic Engineering
Some activists, parties, and individuals accuse Oromia-PP officials of issuing ID cards to non-residents and of organizing the resettlement of Oromos into Addis Ababa.
Recent demolitions of “illegal” houses on the city’s outskirts are seen by some as an attempt to change Addis Ababa’s demographic composition by targeting non-Oromos. The intricate interplay between ethnicity, politics, and urban development is leading to the destruction of innocent individuals’ livelihoods.
Oromia-PP is implicated in further actions to enhance the Oromo character of Addis Ababa. These include the celebration of Irreechaa, the hoisting of Oromia regional flags, the increasing use of Afaan Oromoo, and the celebration of regional anthems in some schools in Addis Ababa.
These measures have sparked violence in schools and elicited harsh criticism, including from the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice, commonly called EZEMA, a party often fairly closely aligned with the Prosperity Party.
Such incidents represent a threat to Addis Ababa’s stability. With tensions between the government’s Oromo and Amhara factions growing, further conflagrations between them could lead to violence both within and outside of the Ethiopian capital.
Sheger City
Announced in October 2022, the creation of Sheger City involves the clustering together of six Oromia towns surrounding Addis Ababa into one administration located on Addis Ababa’s outskirts.
The peculiar, doughnut-shaped layout of Sheger City (shown in Map 1) poses challenges to its potential for development as the large distances between Sheger’s constituent parts may impede growth and integration.5Research from 450 towns in India emphasizes that non-compact cities tend to be less efficient. See: Harari, M. (2020). Cities in bad shape: Urban geometry in India. American Economic Review, 110(8), 2377-2421.
Depending on the administrative organization and integration of Sheger City and Addis Ababa, the plans could inhibit the capital’s growth, thereby increasing the negative effects of population density within its boundaries.
Map 1. Map of Sheger City encasing Addis Ababa, showing all drinking water reservoirs within the Sheger City jurisdiction. Source: A reproduction from a non-georeferenced image obtained from Ethiopia Insight.
While Sheger has been justified as a vehicle to promote more equitable regional development, its proponents have failed to specify how its creation will benefit Addis Ababa. The lack of public and academic deliberation surrounding the project’s design contributed to strong opposition from scholars and political groups on all sides.
Leaders of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) argue that it violates the constitution and the rights of the Oromo people. Conversely, Amhara elites contrast Addis Ababa’s multicultural demographic composition with Sheger City, which they depict as a project to engineer an Oromo-majority metropolis.
In short, the project has aggravated the boiling ethnopolitical tensions relating to the capital.
A Second Capital
A sister capital city in Ethiopia may, however, provide a solution to the intricate challenges that Addis Ababa, and Ethiopia by extension, face.
Learning from the examples of South Africa, Bolivia, and the Netherlands, among others, the establishment of a second Ethiopian capital could help address tensions concerning power centralization and historical grievances.
Weakening Addis Ababa’s political and economic hegemony could diversify Ethiopia’s economic and political profile. Ideally, a new capital would foster strong economic growth in a different part of Ethiopia.
If the new capital managed to attract Ethiopians from across the country, it could, as a second multicultural hub, strengthen the Ethiopian national identity and ease ethnopolitical tensions.
Finally, a new major urban center of economic and political relevance could cushion the pressures that Addis Ababa is currently experiencing due to rapid urbanization.
Admittedly, establishing a new capital city is a complex undertaking involving significant challenges, including high costs, disagreements over its location, and the potential risk of conflict and violence if certain ethnic groups feel marginalized.
These obstacles may seem insurmountable, particularly within the context of prevailing authoritarian governance and ethnopolitical divisions. However, within a forum that provides for genuine social and academic debate and centers the public in transparent decision-making, a new capital may be a way forward to defuse the plethora of particularist historiographies that undergird increasingly tense identity politics.
Location Debate
Firstly, the new capital should be situated 100-250 kilometers from Addis Ababa, thus benefiting from the strategic advantages associated with a centrally located capital and striking a balance between proximity and distance from central Ethiopia.
Relocating it farther from the center would risk isolating significant portions of the country, leading to issues of accessibility and equitable distribution.
Secondly, it is essential that the new capital be in a region other than Oromia, considering that Addis Ababa already falls within Oromia’s boundaries.
A substantial portion of the challenges faced by the capital originate from the overlap between Oromia’s jurisdiction and the city itself. Therefore, suggesting that Oromia be included as a potential host for the second capital would likely encounter significant opposition. This approach would fundamentally contradict the very purpose of seeking an alternative location.
While any region would face contestation similar to Oromia, particularly given the nature of Ethiopia’s ethnoterritorial federation, the southern regions may actually welcome such a move. These linguistically and culturally diverse areas have been historically marginalized, with common grievances relating to the lack of development and inaccessibility of services.
However, the ‘where’ of the second capital would ultimately be a technocratic and political decision.
Avoiding Pitfalls
The centralization of people, power, and resources in Addis Ababa has engendered polarization, environmental concerns, and public health risks. If left unaddressed, these explosive dynamics risk unraveling Ethiopia at large.
Establishing a second capital city may provide a viable solution to mitigate these challenges, by redistributing political and economic power, fostering a new center for cultural diversity in Ethiopia, and enhancing disaster resilience in Addis Ababa.
As the African Union would most likely remain seated in Addis Ababa, it would certainly continue in its function as Ethiopia’s diplomatic capital. However, domestically concerned federal government ministries could be relocated to the second capital city.
Nevertheless, the pitfalls of establishing a new Ethiopian capital need to be taken seriously. The shortcomings and tensions around Egypt’s new capital city serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of inclusive decision-making and careful planning when considering the establishment of a second capital city in Ethiopia.6In 2015, the Egyptian government announced its plan to construct a new capital city at an estimated cost of approximately $59 billion. The primary objective of this project was to alleviate the issues of overcrowding, inefficiency, and pollution in Cairo. However, the initiative faced considerable criticism due to public skepticism about the Egyptian government’s real intentions, exorbitant costs, and the choice of location. Many experts worry that the proximity of the new city to Cairo, constructed only 50 kilometers west of Cairo’s city center, may lead to its eventual integration with the existing capital, thereby exacerbating the current problems. Some critics argue that the development of the new capital city appears to prioritize the interests of the elite while neglecting the genuine needs of most Egyptians. They view the new capital as a strategic measure to insulate the government from protests and uprisings, especially following the successful uprising during the Arab Spring in 2011.
To ensure the successful implementation of this project, the responsibility of preparing a draft proposal and facilitating public debate should be entrusted to an impartial and professional commission.
In the absence of a transparent political process, any relocation of the capital is likely to be perceived as an opportunistic move, benefitting a particular group. This, in turn, would likely aggravate ethnopolitical tensions.
If, instead, the process of choosing a second capital becomes an exercise of inclusive and democratic national deliberation, a new capital may become a much-needed starting point for a prosperous and peaceful national Ethiopian identity.
This article was originally written in Amharic and published on The Habesha and SBS websites. It was adapted to English English for Ethiopia Insight and substantial changes were made.
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Main Image: Megenagna, Addis-Abeba; 2013; Gideon Abate
This is the author’s viewpoint. However, Ethiopia Insight will correct clear factual errors.
Published under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
This is the new capital of Ethiopia. Or should be…
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Dear Daniel,
Really I appreciate your valuable idea and concerns, my Ethiopia needs not only additional mega cities, but also making Ethiopian economic potential great, stable country, and wealthy life standard from all African country like great renaissance dam!
Definitely country needs new small, tidy and friendly city to government technorats, diplomats and their work eviron and families. The burden of overpopulation, the huge business activities and traffic headache alone, nothing to saying of the current contesting and controversy of ethnic identity issues of Addis, justifies an alternative captital. But where and on what bases? An ideal one on shouldn’t be far away from centre to balance distance issues of the various regions to the federal government and administrative centre nerve. Another ideal one should be situated in close proximity to connexion point in the outside world and strategic location such as near sea ports, on the river or on railways. Reportedly, Addis Ababa was founded on those premises: its location of being in the centre of the country and the connection of the rail from Djibouti at that time. It was genius strategic move. How about Deri dewa now? Eventhough it falls short of all the prerequisite qualities for the new location, it is still the best candidate for virtue of being the only connection to the outside world the country has and the cost of upgrading or building of federal and tidy administrative compounds would be fraction from starting everything from scratch. After all, Col Mengistu and the Derg admin once seriously considered relocating the capital to Deri dewa when the EPLF/TPLF forces took over Eritrean ports and closing to Addis in the late 1980s.
Awale;
Thank you for your chiming in the discussion. You and I are in agreement regarding the necessity of establishing a second capital city. Furthermore, we have identified a potential location that should ideally be close to the country’s geographical center. However, I have a differing perspective on your assertion that Addis Ababa was founded in connection with the railway since there was no railway in existence prior to the establishment of Addis Ababa in 1889.
Incidentally, I was unaware that Dire Dawa was considered a capital city during the final days of Col. Mengistu’s rule. As mentioned in the article, determining the precise location for the second capital is indeed a complex task. Nonetheless, a team of multidisciplinary experts, including urban planners, geographers, economists, political scientists, anthropologists, environmental scientists, sociologists, historians, and others, could collaborate to compile a shortlist of potential cities. Subsequently, the public could participate in the selection process to choose the final location.
Daniel
Thanks for the feedback. I couldn’t more agreed for the need
of establishing new sustainable government seat. As for the role of rail line connection to Addis, it was major part of the captital planning made by king Menilik when he officially moved it in 1889 from and Ankobar. Wihin 6 short years in 1994 the connection was completed eventhough hampered by some delays due to technical and budgetary problems. As for the Derg’s
relocation plan, I heard from an interview with former the Derg members still alive of either col Berhanu Abaye or col Addisu Tedla few years ago. Both two locations of Der dewa and Hawasa were mentioned.
I think the solution for this problem is establishing a new capital city for Oromia region. Building new capital city for the country is costy and debatable where we might locate it. However building a new regional capital would not be that difficult as it can be located in anywhere in the region. It can take off the pressure from Addis Ababa. And Oromia region will benefit as it will have its own capital which is shared with regions like Hawassa, Jijiga, Bahir Dar…
I agree with you, Blen Solomon, for many reasons. Actually it has been made in this way, before some 10 years. The State capital city being Adama, about 100 km from Addis. The basic issue, however, is the mindset of politicians in the state, Oromiya, and the country as a whole. Convincing the people seems an easy task. Opinions may proved the fact, if managed scientifically. Thanks.
Can we first find a system that will respect human right, end lawlessness, end corruption- then development and mapping of cities & towns will be easier. Can we first find competent folks to run the country. Can we first establish peace on a firm ground???
I am writing to express my support for the proposal to build a second capital city in close proximity to the Ethiopian dam on the Blue Nile. This ambitious project carries the potential for significant economic, political, and environmental benefits, not only for Ethiopia but also for the entire East African region.
Economic Growth: Establishing a second capital city near the dam site can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development. It can attract investment, create job opportunities, and stimulate various industries, including construction, tourism, and hospitality.
Strategic Location: The strategic location of the new capital city near the Blue Nile dam can enhance connectivity and trade links within the region. This can contribute to Ethiopia’s position as a key player in the East African economy and strengthen regional cooperation.
Water Resource Management: The proximity of the capital city to the dam will enable efficient management of the vital water resources of the Blue Nile. This proximity will facilitate coordination between government agencies responsible for water management and ensure the sustainable use of this critical resource.
Environmental Sustainability: Building a new city provides an opportunity to incorporate modern, eco-friendly urban planning principles, minimizing the impact on the environment. Sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and green spaces can be integrated into the city’s design.
Diversified Development: Establishing a second capital city can help alleviate the population density in the current capital, Addis Ababa, and promote more balanced regional development. This can address issues of overcrowding and infrastructural strain in the existing capital.
Cultural and Historical Significance: The Blue Nile has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and situating a capital city nearby can showcase Ethiopia’s cultural identity and heritage. This can also promote tourism and cultural exchange.
Global Recognition: A second capital city near the Blue Nile dam would draw international attention and recognition, further enhancing Ethiopia’s standing on the global stage.
It is essential, however, that this project is executed with careful consideration of its potential environmental impact, local community needs, and transparency in governance. A comprehensive and inclusive planning process, along with meaningful consultations with all stakeholders, is imperative to ensure the success and sustainability of this endeavor.
In conclusion, the establishment of a second capital city near the Ethiopian dam on the Blue Nile presents a promising opportunity for Ethiopia and the broader East African region. It can usher in a new era of economic development, environmental stewardship, and cultural enrichment. I encourage policymakers to pursue this initiative with a focus on responsible and sustainable development.
Sincerely,
Kifle Tollessa
Son of Benishangul Gumz, Asossa
Kifle,
You raised interesting idea. Establishing a second capital city near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) area parallels the geopolitical concept of a “forward capital.” A forward capital is typically strategically positioned near an active frontier, intentionally distanced from the dominant national cities, for various reasons, including economic, strategic, symbolic, and diversification motives. It serves the purpose of asserting a presence in a contentious or disputed region.
For instance, Pakistan relocated its capital from Karachi to Islamabad, a city situated in close proximity to the contested Kashmir region, currently under Indian administration. Similarly, Tsar Peter The Great strategically decided to create a new capital, St. Petersburg, to improve accessibility through its port, capitalizing on the lucrative Baltic trade and bringing Russia closer to Europe. St. Petersburg served as the imperial capital from 1703 to 1918 and was strategically located on the western edge of Russia.
In the case of GERD, Ethiopia has made significant political, economic, diplomatic, and emotional investments in the dam. These investments are driven not only by the nation’s historical and geographic rightful pursuit of development along the Abay River but also by the aspiration to secure a stable electricity source for Ethiopia and its neighboring countries. Given the controversy surrounding the dam’s construction on the transboundary Nile River, positioning it as a forward capital could serve national unity.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the GERD’s location is considerably distant from the majority of Ethiopia’s population, which raises concerns about potentially alienating citizens in the country’s northern, eastern, and southern regions. Striking the right balance between the advantages of a forward capital and the imperative of ensuring equitable development and national cohesion poses a multifaceted challenge for Ethiopia.
The existing fact Addis Ababa is land of Oromia. Nevertheless, No fears for everyone who lives in Addis Ababa . The idea of developing Oromo cultures in Addis Ababa has been bringing advantages for her people . If you take Irreecha , In One day it brings Millions of people to this city this will benefit the economy us. The conflicts emanates narrow minded group and who fear from those wants to continue single systems in multi nations that is not fair. They should change their mind to develop how we can live in diversified views knowledge and also thinking in competitions of developing beautiful cultures .
Dear Darera,
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the issue. However, I believe that political dynamics are more multifaceted than what you have suggested. The mounting pressure on some political parties in Addis Ababa could potentially lead to a head-on collision. Furthermore, the problems highlighted in the article transcend political conflicts. They shed light on various issues contributing to the city’s unsustainable growth. Addis Ababa has exhausted all available land within its borders and has reached its physical limits. Every system has a limit to its elasticity, and it will inevitably break if stretched beyond that limit. Nevertheless, the article offers potential solutions to avoid reaching this breaking point.
The Sheger City is designed to encircle Addis Ababa and takeover all the economic, social, cultural, and political dominance in the country
A more realistic and practical solution is building multiple big cities that are not capital cities. This avoids the contentious processes of selecting a location for a new capital. In a polarized country like Ethiopia it is not easy to agree on such a big issue. Moreover, relocating the Federal Government takes many strategic considerations. Therefore, Addis Ababa can remain a center of politics and diplomacy both on national and international level. Developing cities such as economic and business centers in various locations won’t be as contentious as choosing a new capital. A city need not be a capital city to grow. Ethiopia can simply select some promising cities and formulate policies and strategies to develop them fast. This option also brings fair and equitable distribution of wealth across the country, an important outcome that establishing a new capital cannot do. Additionally, such strategically located big cities in different regions will enhance access to quality services (such as health care) by ordinary citizens without the need to travel to the capital city. Contrarily, if we opt for establishing a new capital as proposed in this article, we will end up with just one more city, which will again be congested in a short time. It is much better to build multiple competent cities that share the burdens as well as opportunities from Addis Ababa and create new opportunities as well.
Dula;
Thanks for your feedback.
I recognize your concern that selecting a location for a new capital could be challenging. Keeping Addis to be the political capital, and shifting the economic capital to other cities could be exciting suggestions for further deliberation on the issue.
Hi Daniel, both the problem and the solution you suggested are highly relevant and valid. Addis Ababa has lost all its magic. It lost all city spirits and already became uninhabitable. In addition to creating a second capital, moving ministerial offices to regional capitals like Bahirdar, Mekele, Dire Dawa, Jijiga, etc. also stands worthy of consideration. Countries like the Netherlands, Germany, US, and Switzerland are practicing it.
Dear Shimels,
Thank you for your positive feedback. I agree that decentralizing the capital city would prevent both the explosion and implosion. Yes, we could also benefit from the experiences of other countries you mentioned.
it is good. ethiopia needs additional capital city not only for demography reason, for economic distribution
for political stability
for job opportunity
Hi Kabtamu;
Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it.
For a country Waging war against its own unity, committing crimes against its own ppl. to create a Tegaru free nation called ethiopiያ, divorce should be prioritized.
While it is necessary to relieve the pressure on Addis Ababa, the solution, however, is not necessarily establishing a second capital city. Some other selected cities should be given emphasis and grow. But such cities need not be capital cities. They can be industrial or manufacturing centers, economic and business center, tourism centers etc. The source of the pressure on Addis Ababa is not mainly the government or government employees but the business companies and their operations. Currently, most major businesses in the country are headquartered in Addis and have employees and multiple facilities in and around Addis. Using various incentives and policies, government can relocate them all or in part to other cities. Government should also build or upgrade infrastructure in those selected cities. The USA can be a good example. There is one capital city, Washington, which is a modest size city. But there are several other bigger and more populated cities in the US.
Dear Temesgen,
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the matter. I agree that the renovation of existing cities could be crucial in addressing this issue. In regards to this, government incentives may prove invaluable. However, the primary challenge remains in creating cities that can cater to a diverse range of residents while also providing secure investment opportunities. To address this, I proposed the establishment of a federal second capital city. Such a city would offer investors the assurance that their investments are safe from disputes over property ownership. As you may know, investment demands a great deal of security and assurance akin to that of the United States.
Daniel
Thanks Dani🙏
It is good insight to describe the rapid growth of migration, economy and population overcrowding of Addis Ababa, the reason behind this fact is Fiscal(Monetary) imbalance of federal and regions or highest fiscal control of Federal government.
It is good insight to describe the rapid growth of migration, economy and population overcrowding of Addis Ababa, the reason behind this fact is Fiscal(Monetary) imbalance of federal and regions or highest fiscal control of Federal government.
Thank you, Mulugeta, for your feedback.
While I am not knowledgeable about economic concepts like Fiscal Balance and Fiscal Control, I appreciate your perspective on the issue and hope that other participants can enrich these topics.
Regards,
Daniel
I think it is better to
build infrastucture which is equitable and comparable to A.A in regional towns and systematically decentralized investement opportunities to state level towns and creating job opportunities in each region to reduce the burden on the city and to reduce polotical tension in the country.
Dear Emnet,
Thank you sincerely for taking the time to provide your invaluable feedback. I sincerely appreciate your contribution and the invaluable insights you have provided.
I thoroughly agree that offering decentralized investment opportunities to different states and towns could potentially mitigate the issue at hand. However, I must express my concern about the current political situation, which is causing a mass exodus of people, resources, and investment from all over the country to Addis.
Despite the potential benefits of decentralization, the escalating political tension is likely to persist in the foreseeable future, given that ethnic nationalism is gaining momentum both locally and globally. This is regrettably a significant setback.
Best regards.
Thanks Dani. I think your observation is constructive and acceptable.
Of course Ethiopia need build new town and cities but the motive of the establishment of the cities has to be in a big quistion marks? Because the leaders are against there own people
Hi Emiru,
I agree. Without committed leaders for equality and growth, the proposal will not be fruitful.
Thank you for your feedback, Tegegne.
I genuinely appreciate it.
The solution you stated here is one of the solutions to the big problem but in addition to building a second capital city, I suggest to enhance regional capital cities to the level of the capital city by huge funding of the federal government. If we have up to 10 big cities in the size of Addis Ababa with good infrastructure and economic value then we will highly decrease the migration to Addis Ababa distributing the economy equal throughout the country.
Thank you
Good idea, you may start with establishing Regional township, municipality and some cities like Tanzania.
In Tanzania we have Dar es Salaam which is the mega city in the Region of Dar es Salaam.
In totality, Tanzania mainland has 26 Regions , 132 Districts with 184 Councils. These Councils have different status from low level of District Council level to the City Council level.
Currently, there are 6 Cities, 19 Municipals, 15 Towns and 144 District Councils spartialed accross the Country .
The Councils themselves have trees down streams to the levels of villages and streets where by the Government established an agency for distributing electricity to all villages in Tanzania. As of 2021 data, more than 84 % of 12,317 villages were connected to electricity, the exercise of village electrification continues .
All these setups create a demographic kind of balance within the regions and minimize the migration of people to the cities.
Hey Ariff,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sharing your valuable insights on the Tanzanian experience. It sounds like a wonderful way to promote fair and equal growth across the country.
However, I must express my concerns about the current situation in Ethiopia. It seems that for several years, Addis Ababa has been attracting an excessive amount of people, resources, investment, and capital, making it quite challenging, if not impossible, to reverse this trend.
Thank you for engaging in this discussion.
Hello Dawit,
Thank you for your suggestions regarding the alleviation of unnecessary burdens on Addis through the upbringing of the regional cities. I find the issue pertinent and worthy of further discussion. Nevertheless, I have some concerns about whether regional cities would be open to accommodating a diverse group of people like Addis does. Their primary focus seems to be maintaining the image of their respective regions governed by a specific ethno-lingustic group.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Best regards,
[Your name]
It is engaging to read when a contentious issue like the Addis Ababa city is analyzed without taking sides with one of the opposing groups. In a time where polarized political discourse is like a fashion, it is rare to maintain such a delicate balance. It was an informative and thought-provoking argument. The need for a second capital city is satisfactorily justified. My question is this: Where should the second capital city be located? Is there a follow-up article on that?
It’s fine. I suggest the 2nd capital is Shashamanne.
Dear Mume,
Thank you for your feedback.
Shashemenie, as a lively city located at the intersection of many regions, could have been considered as a potential second capital city. However, the article emphasized that it is crucial for the new capital to be situated in a region other than Oromia, since Addis Ababa is already within the boundaries of this region.
Best regards.
Dear Dilbu,
I sincerely appreciate your encouraging feedback. However, regrettably, there will be no follow-up article on the second capital city. As stated in the article, the decision about the location of the second capital is a matter that involves both technocratic and political considerations.
Best regards.
This article is an indication that the Oromo_PP is trying to use establishing a second capital as a means to swallow Addis Ababa as it dismantled the Southern Region into many mini capitals to make them powerless. The writer is a mercinary to Oromo-PP.
Dear Tessema, thank you for your feedback. I kindly advise you to read the entire article. I am confident that it will give you a different perspective. Sincerely,
Daniel.