Entoto-Kebena River and Riverside Development Project Officially Opened in Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed: Entoto-Kebena River and Riverside Development Project Officially Opened in Ethiopia The 87.6-hectare, 10.5-kilometer-long project was inaugurated today, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced. The large-scale infrastructure development includes river protection dams, modern bridges, and extensive green spaces, he said. The Entoto-Kebena River Project (often referred to as the Entoto-Kechene Medhanealem Riverside Development Project) is an ambitious urban regeneration and environmental protection initiative in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, which was officially opened by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The project is part of a larger strategy to transform the capital's rivers and riverbanks from former landfills into green, livable, and economically vibrant corridors. The project stretches from 10.5 to 22.25 kilometers (depending on the development section) along the Entoto-Kebena corridor and covers an area of ​​approximately 87.6 hectares. In some places, the redesign extends up to 50 meters beyond the actual riverbanks. The riverbanks, which were previously threatened by erosion or used as illegal dumping grounds, were reinforced with flood control walls. In addition, 39 retention basins and three river purification systems were installed to sustainably improve water quality. Around 438 hectares of degraded land (including former eucalyptus plantations) were renaturalized. Among the features integrated were a 9.5-hectare orchard and 210 modern beehives to promote local biodiversity. To make the city more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists, 19.4 km of footpaths, 7.7 km of cycle paths, and 4 km of hiking trails were created. According to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the project goes far beyond mere aesthetic improvement: "The Riverside Development Project is a comprehensive urban transformation. It creates green infrastructure that combines environmental protection with economic benefits." Thousands of jobs have been created through construction, landscaping, and logistics. The project was largely planned and implemented by Ethiopian engineers and skilled workers. In addition to recreational areas, commercial zones were intentionally created. Local businesses, cafes, and service providers are establishing themselves along the new promenades to strengthen Addis Ababa as a tourism and investment destination. The project is considered a significant milestone in making Addis Ababa more resilient to climate change and massively improving the quality of life for local residents. This video about the Entoto Kechene Project provides visual impressions of the newly created parks, bike paths, and ecological improvements directly in Addis Ababa. The minister also reaffirmed his commitment to improving the quality of life of citizens through sustainable development efforts.