Addis Ababa: Foreigners familiar with Addis Ababa in the past are rediscovering a new face of the city.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Sierra Leone and seasoned diplomat, Professor David Francis, remarked, “I have been a long-standing friend of Ethiopia.”
Professor David, who previously served as Chairman of the Global Black History, Heritage and Education Center Board, visited Addis Ababa a year ago.
However, upon his return to Addis this week, he expressed amazement at the city’s transformation. “I was struck by an incredible and unexpected sight. By night, Addis Ababa felt like a vibrant city akin to Shanghai,” he stated.
Professor David continued, describing Addis Ababa’s development as “an unbelievable transformation,” affirming that it has indeed become a symbol of African progress.
Addis Ababa, which recently hosted the African Cities Forum, presented a new face to its visitors, showcasing significant developments in urban planning and corridor growth. Notably, this transformation did not go u
nnoticed by returning foreign guests and new visitors alike.
Among these returnees is Professor Wang Jingping from South East University in China, an expert in architecture, who observed Addis Ababa’s remarkable changes since his last visit in 2016. He highlighted the city’s impressive infrastructure, parks, and modern buildings as evidence of rapid growth.
Addis Ababa’s transformation, spurred by corridor development, has created a captivating impression not only on returning foreigners but also on first-time visitors.
Dr. Sina Schlemmer, a researcher on urban development issues at a global collaboration institute in France, is visiting Addis Ababa for the first time. She shared that the city exceeded her expectations, highlighting the impressive urban development process and drawing parallels to Paris, her home city, in terms of sustainable growth.
Schlemmer further noted, “Addis Ababa, if it continues on this path, will soon reach the level it aspires to.”
“I am visiting Addis Ababa for the first time
, and though I plan to return, what has captured my attention most is the ongoing urban development. Around the Adwa Victory Museum, the road infrastructure expansion is remarkable, and the traffic congestion I anticipated was non-existent. I am impressed by the city’s transformation.”
She added that despite the challenges faced by rapidly growing cities like Addis Ababa, the ongoing development is steadily reshaping the city, and she looks forward to witnessing even greater progress.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency