Addis Ababa, May 16, 2026 — A new book titled “Reshaping Addis Ababa: Transformation from 2020 to 2025,” documenting the rapid modernization of the Ethiopian capital, was officially launched in the presence of high-ranking government officials and international researchers.
In a speech during the launch ceremony, the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister described the book as an important historical record documenting the transformations witnessed in Addis Ababa.
He said: “Today, we proudly launched a remarkable book that documents the amazing transformation of our capital, Addis Ababa. It was prepared by international researchers to serve as a historical record worthy of documenting our journey.”
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Addis Ababa is steadily moving towards becoming a modern, livable, and attractive city for future generations.
He added: “Addis Ababa is turning our dreams of change into tangible reality, through its transformation into a modern, beautiful, and livable city for generations to come.”
The book, independently prepared and published by international authors and researchers from the Ethiopian diaspora who closely followed the capital’s urban transformation journey, highlights the resilience, determination, and achievements behind the ongoing efforts to reshape the Ethiopian capital into a modern and inclusive city.
The work was completed on a self-initiated basis with private funding from the authors, and is seen as a reflection of the large-scale urban renewal projects underway in Addis Ababa.
Officials explained that the book not only documents infrastructure projects but also captures what they described as promises fulfilled on the ground through collective effort and the diverse contributions of Addis Ababa residents, whether through ideas, efforts, commitment, or resources.
The book was co-authored by several prominent academics and researchers from different countries and the Ethiopian diaspora, including Professor Simon Lee, Dr. Clement Katulushi, and Ethiopian researcher Hirbo Kumbe, along with their research team.
The work documents Addis Ababa’s transformation journey from an ambitious vision to tangible reality, preserving for future generations the story of one of Africa’s most prominent urban renewal initiatives.
