The Addis Ababa City Administration has officially transferred 315 modern commercial shops to citizens displaced by various urban renewal projects. These residents were previously relocated due to the city’s extensive corridor development, riverfront projects, and general redevelopment initiatives. The handover ceremony marks a significant step in the city’s effort to integrate urban modernization with social stability.
During the event, Mayor Adanech Abebe specified that the newly distributed shops were allocated to residents who were formerly tenants of government-owned “Kebele” business premises. By providing these modern facilities, the administration aims to ensure that small business owners can resume their livelihoods in improved environments that align with the city’s new aesthetic and structural standards.
Prior to the lottery draw, the administration presented several resettlement alternatives to the affected individuals. These options included organizing into shares to build their own commercial centers or opting to rent government-constructed shops. This flexible approach was designed to accommodate the varying financial capacities of the displaced business owners.
The Mayor further explained that the decision to conduct this specific lottery came after a series of consultative forums. Many residents expressed that they lacked the financial capital to organize under a share-based construction model. In response to these repeated requests, the city prioritized the rental model to ensure that those with limited resources were not left behind during the transition.
However, despite these efforts, the program has faced criticism regarding the transparency and adequacy of the compensation. Critics argue that 315 shops represent only a small fraction of the thousands of businesses disrupted by the rapid corridor projects. Furthermore, some displaced traders have expressed concern over the high rental costs of the new “modern” units compared to their previous Kebele rates, claiming that the relocation process still risks pushing the most vulnerable entrepreneurs out of the market entirely.