The Addis Abeba city authorities have ambitious plans for a sprawling new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) planned in the Gotera area of the Nifas Silk Laphto District. The project, dubbed “Addis Tomorrow,” is an initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), slated to include zones dedicated to international trade, education and culture, business and finance, and modern housing.

According to Bereket Takele, press secretary at the Mayor’s Office, the initiative aims to transform Addis Abeba into an economic powerhouse in addition to its existing political and diplomatic significance. The details of the financial deal between the city administration and the contractor remained undisclosed, leaving city finance bureau officials in the dark about the investment scheme.

Mayor Adanech Abiebie revealed that a three-year preparation, feasibility study, and a hunt for a prospective developer preceded the agreement signed with China First Highway Engineering Group (CFHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The contractor has previously undertaken projects in other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company was fined 18.6 million dollars and debarred for three years by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for “fraudulent and collusive practices” in a past project in Congo.

“The developer will handle all technology and construction costs,” said Bereket, emphasising that the city only provided the land. “They`ve paid the lease under the current price.”

A land lease auction recently saw values in the District fetching between 63,000 and 103,000 Br for a square meter.

The 35,000sqm area from Gotera junction to Saris has a history of failed mega projects. It was formerly a manufacturing site for Addis Abeba Cement (later acquired by Mugar), now mined by local youth for leftover metals and equipment.

In 2015, former President Mulatu Teshome (PhD) laid the foundation stone for a 21-floor and 20-block real estate complex jointly launched by a Chinese developer, Sino Mark, and Saba Engineering Plc. Touted as the largest and most luxurious real estate development with a budget of four billion Birr, the ‘Royal Garden’ project never materialised. Four years later, plans for a modern housing project in partnership with CCCC were announced by Deputy Mayor Takele Uma, on a 27hct plot. It did not take off.

The area has since become a hotspot for petty crime, causing concern for residents.

Local officials have begun surveying residents going door to door, signalling an imminent relocation plan.

Haji Habesha resides in one of the Kebele-owned homes, sitting squarely amidst the budding construction site. He hopes for finality to the nearly decade-long row of projects that are still only imaginary constructs as the area becomes rife with crime, with the tall grasses providing a conspicuous haven for the perpetrators. Residents recalled that the site was levelled out by Chinese contractors a year ago after the dozens of makeshift tents were razed after hoards of patrolmen flocked in.

Haji expressed hope for a smooth process, lamenting the almost decade-long series of failed projects that have left the area crime-ridden. Visitors who claimed to be District officials had appeared at his home while at work last week, enquiring about their preference for a condominium site or alternative Kebele rented houses.