Novel Detours


Novel Detours

After a months-long beautification campaign, a refurbished roundabout around the Olympia area has adorned a new look. The Addis Abeba City administration has been busy over the past three months as part of a spirited bid to turn the capital into a smart city. It includes new 100 km of bicycle lanes, 96 km of pedestrian sidewalks, around 120 public toilets, 400 building renovations and nearly 70 public parks. An overall shift towards more electric and less internal combustion modes of transportation has also been suggested by city officals as part of the ambitious project. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed(PhD) closely supervises the project and has assigned high-level officals to monitor daily progress closely.  

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In-Picture

DIGITAL DETOUR

A sign advertising the Telebirr mobile payment service hangs inside a taxi, promising passengers a seamless, cashless fare experience. QR codes, Merchant IDs, and Operator IDs offer multiple ways to pay if only the network held up. In a city racing toward "cashless" status, many can't help but chuckle at the idea of tapping phones in beat-up, overcrowded taxis where connectivity is as wobbly as the suspension. Modern finance meets old-school transport, with results that are, at best, aspirationa...


In-Picture

COMMUNITY LIFT

From left: Fekadu Beshah, Heineken Ethiopia Sustainability & CSR Manager; Shewit Kebede, Social Impact Ambassador; Tolawak Feyissa, Koye Feche District Mayor's Office; and William Mills, Heineken Ethiopia Corporate Affairs Director, cut the inaugural ribbon at the launch of new homes. Heineken Ethiopia built houses for over 45 households in Koye Feche Sub-district, Sheger City, Oromia, empowering communities through dairy, cattle, and poultry farming initiatives...


In-Picture

PIPE LIFE

A pipe around Filwuha offers a refuge. Among a towering stack of Reinforced Concrete Drainage Pipes, a small space has been claimed as a home. The makeshift shelter inside one of the pipes contains a simple bed of blankets on a wooden board and a pair of worn-out sneakers, providing a glimpse into a life of resilience and illustrating a powerful image of survival in a harsh setting. A few scattered belongings hint at the daily struggle to meet basic needs. The contrast between the cold concrete...