Addis Ababa: The transformation of African cities will serve as an ‘engine of economic development for the continent and beyond,’ Mayor of Addis Ababa City Adanech Abeibie said.
The first African Cities Forum has officially kicked off today in Addis Ababa in the presence of high-ranking officials drawn from across the continent.
Speaking at the occasion, Mayor Adanech remarked ‘we are proud to host you in the landmark black people Adwa Victory Memorial.’
As the future is driven by rapid global urbanization, significant progress occurs mainly in Africa, she said, adding this event marks important steps in addressing the challenges of urbanization across the continent.
‘The future of African city is bright. African cities are huge potential for development.The transformation of African cities will serve as an engine of the continent’s economic development and beyond,’ she elaborated.
Hence, she underlined that leadership plays an irreplaceable role in harnessing the potential of cities, where mayors will b
e at the forefront.
‘Making our cities livable, green and safe is the basis of the transformation,’ she added.
In this regard, the Addis Ababa city has made milestones in the development of the city, she said, adding ‘my administration has demonstrated that we can transform cities and harness their potentials.’
‘We are striving to transform the city for the benefits of citizens and ensure that no one is left behind. We are guided by people centered approached and ensure that our transformation is equitable and inclusive.’
Mayor Adanech also noted that Addis Ababa is rapidly changing and advancing to meet global standards.
Apart from other development undertakings, the recently launched Corridor Development of city transformation is yielding remarkable results, she noted.
The mayor also highlighted expansion of road infrastructure, playgrounds, and pedestrian walkways and emphasized the commitments to making the city more livable for everyone.
She added that the recent achievements and experiences gaine
d in this regard have shown the possibility of transforming an African city.
She stressed for the need to devise strategies for the transformation of African cities.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency