The governments of Ethiopia and Italy officially signed a €5 million financial grant agreement today, marking a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to transform the capital’s environmental landscape. This strategic partnership focuses on the Kebena River Tributaries Development Project, specifically targeting the river basins within the Yeka Sub-city. The deal was formalized by Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, and Italian diplomatic representatives, signaling a reinforced commitment to sustainable urban development between the two nations.
Slated for completion within a 24-month timeline, the project will be spearheaded by the Addis Ababa City Beautification and Green Development Bureau. The initiative is designed to integrate the Kebena River into the city’s broader “Green Legacy” and “Beautifying Sheger” frameworks. By converting neglected riverbanks into structured green corridors, the project aims to simultaneously boost the city’s aesthetic appeal and its functional capacity to handle the environmental pressures of a rapidly growing metropolitan population.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Ahmed Shide highlighted that the project’s scope extends far beyond simple landscaping. The technical roadmap includes the deployment of advanced geo-engineering techniques to stabilize riverbanks and prevent the chronic erosion that currently threatens nearby infrastructure. Furthermore, a critical component of the investment is the installation of modern sewage and drainage lines designed to intercept waste before it reaches the water, effectively curbing the pollution that has long plagued the Kebena basin.
The environmental benefits are paired with an ambitious social agenda, as the development is expected to directly impact the lives of approximately 9,000 residents living along the river’s path. Beyond providing a cleaner living environment, the project will establish public recreational hubs that offer safe spaces for community interaction. These areas are expected to mitigate the “urban heat island” effect, providing a natural cooling system for the surrounding neighborhoods while restoring the local biodiversity of the riparian zone.
A unique feature of this agreement is its emphasis on gender-inclusive economic opportunities. The project planners have committed to ensuring that local women are prioritized for new roles created by the initiative. These opportunities will range from the management of sanitation services to the administration and maintenance of the newly established recreational parks. This focus ensures that the €5 million investment yields a double dividend: environmental restoration and the socio-economic empowerment of traditionally marginalized community members.
This latest agreement arrives at a pivotal time for Addis Ababa, as it seeks to balance industrial modernization with climate resilience. By securing this grant, the Ethiopian government avoids adding to its external debt while leveraging Italian expertise in urban design and environmental engineering. As work begins on the Kebena tributaries, the project stands as a blueprint for future bilateral cooperation, proving that targeted international funding can effectively drive local ecological and social transformation