Addis Abeba Steps Out of the Shadows, Onto the World Stage

Jan 10 , 2026
By Henok L. Teshome

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Addis Abeba’s transformation from a peripheral observer to an active participant in international affairs is closely tied to the evolution of city diplomacy. Through strategic partnerships, city twinning, and membership in global networks, the city has built a platform for international engagement that promises to yield meaningful returns.

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For years, Addis Abeba was seen by outside observers as little more than the seat of the African Union (AU) and a handful of international agencies, a city whose infrastructural and social deficits limited its potential on the global stage.

This perception began to shift in 2018 amid a broader national political and socioeconomic transition. The city’s leadership embarked on an ambitious effort to elevate Addis Abeba’s profile, tackling urban development at home and engaging directly in international affairs. This push for a new image relied on partnerships and cooperation with cities around the world.

City diplomacy, sometimes referred to as municipal diplomacy, is an increasingly prominent practice in international relations, in which cities and other subnational governments act directly on the global stage to promote their interests.

While the modern international system is typically described as a domain reserved for states, history reveals a far older tradition of diplomatic engagement by cities. Ancient Greek and Italian city-states routinely dispatched envoys for negotiation and commerce long before the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia established the primacy of nation-states and the modern diplomatic order. The shift to a state-dominated system relegated cities to the background, but the late 20th Century saw the revival of city diplomacy, largely as a response to globalisation and the decentralisation of political power.

Researchers often list security, development, economic, cultural, cooperative, and representational roles. However, this taxonomy is debated, with some scholars arguing that distinctions between the dimensions and their forms are not always clear and suggesting that the focus should remain on security, development, economic, cultural, and political roles. Regardless of categorisation, city diplomacy today provides local governments with practical tools to further their interests, build global connections, and share knowledge.

One of the primary vehicles has been cities' participation in twin-city and partnership initiatives.

Addis Abeba has established formal relationships with 32 cities globally, though a large proportion are with cities in Africa and Asia. Cities from North America, the Middle East, and Europe make up a smaller share. Notably, seven of Addis Abeba’s sister cities are in China, the only country to have multiple partnership agreements with the capital.

The nature of these partnerships covers a broad spectrum. From Culture, education, and health to infrastructure, tourism, and environmental projects, these agreements frequently centre on these areas. Some partnerships are rooted in historical events, such as the relationship with Chuncheon, South Korea, which dates back to the Korean War. This particular relationship, formalised in 2004, focuses on cultural and educational exchanges and continues to the present.

In several other instances, Addis Abeba has upgraded these relationships to strategic partnerships, signalling a deliberate shift in global ambitions. A recent example is the partnership with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, part of the effort to forge closer ties with major cities in Asia's dynamic economies.

Physical markers of these partnerships abound. Parks and street names often serve as expressions of these relationships. For instance, in 2004, Leipzig, Germany, named a square after Addis Abeba, complete with a permanent structure, following the launch of its sister-city partnership. Such gestures demonstrate the role of symbolic diplomacy in establishing durable ties. The agreement with  Washington, D.C., signed in 2013, is another example, reaffirming Addis Abeba's intent to expand its reach beyond regional confines and engage more broadly with the world.

The partnership with Kigali, Rwanda, further epitomises the impact of these agreements. Rooted in a vision of multi-sector urban development and regional integration, the Addis Abeba–Kigali relationship promotes collaboration in urban planning, people-to-people exchanges, and technology transfer.

Today, Addis Abeba maintains strong links with 10 major African cities, leveraging these networks to position itself as a leading force in regional integration efforts.

While city-to-city partnerships form one pillar of Addis Abeba’s international outreach, participation in global city networks has become equally important. The realities of climate change, for instance, have made urban areas central to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cities account for more than 70pc of emissions, and their interventions are increasingly seen as crucial to addressing the climate crisis.

Addis Abeba has responded by joining C40 Cities, a network of 100 global cities working together to accelerate progress on climate mitigation and adaptation.

A signature project from this engagement is the Corridor & Riverside Development initiative, which seeks to integrate urban development with environmental sustainability. Encompassing more than 5,400hct, the project has added approximately 350Km of walkways and 240Km of new bicycle lanes, along with 29 electric vehicle charging stations. These infrastructure investments promote sustainable mobility, enhance the urban ecosystem, and improve the city's global image.

Addis Abeba’s membership in other global networks has expanded rapidly in recent years. The city is a signatory to the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, a member of the World Tourism Cities Federation, and participates in the School Meals Coalition. Its engagement with philanthropic organisations has also brought international recognition. At the first global summit of the School Meals Coalition in Paris, the city was praised for its school feeding program.

The C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award was presented to Addis Abeba's leaders for its improvements to the waste management system. In August 2025, Addis Abeba was named a gold winner in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety Speed Challenge, following the successful implementation of road safety measures that reduced traffic accidents and fatalities. The city also earned a spot among the 50 global winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, illustrating its leadership and providing a platform to share best practices with other cities.

Such accolades reinforce the point that international city networks can serve as an effective means for cities like Addis Abeba to cement their global influence and share experience. They provide opportunities to build practical knowledge, experiment with new policies, and enhance the city’s international reputation.

However, Addis Abeba’s future in city diplomacy depends on several factors. Historically, Ethiopian foreign policy placed little emphasis on the role of cities or subnational actors in foreign affairs. A focus on traditional and hard-power politics left little space for the softer, network-driven strategies that are increasingly valued. This neglect contributed to international misunderstandings about both the country and its capital.

Under the current leadership, however, Ethiopia’s foreign policy has shifted to embrace soft power and diplomatic engagement at multiple levels. This opens the door for Addis Abeba to expand its influence, using city diplomacy as a tool for global engagement. Several pathways offer promise.

Conference tourism is one area where Addis Abeba has made considerable strides. The city now serves as a key venue for continental and international summits, drawing diplomats, investors, and tourists. These activities generate economic benefits and raise the city’s global standing.

Participation in global city networks also presents an opportunity for technological and organisational advancement. These networks facilitate digital transformation and the development of smart cities by enabling the exchange of ideas and technologies. Realising the benefits of smart city initiatives will require considerable investment in technological infrastructure and in establishing data centres. The city’s ability to participate in and benefit from new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), depends in large part on the strength of its partnerships and willingness to embrace innovations.

However, institutional capacity remains a challenge as effective city diplomacy demands strong organisational structures and well-coordinated departments. Professional staff with expertise in international relations, negotiations, and cross-cultural communications are essential to advancing the city’s agenda. The complexity of today’s global challenges, ranging from climate change to economic competition, requires the city Administration to invest in training and professional development.

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PUBLISHED ON Jan 10,2026 [ VOL 26 , NO 1341]

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