Underground Traffic Management Center

The smart traffic management centre around the Megenagna area is under construction with a one billion Birr budget financed from the World Bank. Built by the Chinese contractor China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the centre is expected to have four underground floors set to oversee traffic mobility across 98 intersections. The centre has been championed as a pivotal step in modernising the capital's traffic flow, with software equipment sourced from electronics multinational corporation Hisense. It sits adjacent to the 20-floor headquarters for the Addis Abeba Transport Bureau also slated for completion in the coming year. While the structural construction of the project is completed, it has yet to install computers and essential technologies before providing services. The head of the Addis Abeba Transport Bureau, Mitiku Asmare, expects the project to significantly cut down on traffic congestion as traffic lights will be imbued with the capacity to moderate flow after accounting for a number of vehicles on the road.

Three Agricultural Market Centres

A trifecta market centres built for a whopping 6.8 billion Br are located along entrances to the city around Bethel, Laphto and Summit areas on a sprawling total of 8.8hct of land. Contracted to the Ovid Construction company headed by Yonas Tadele, the construction of the projects has transpired in less than a year. The Company's exponential growth in the past decade compounded by its use of aluminium formwork technology which significantly cuts back construction timelines is not observed in the market centres. The projects are being consulted by Biybone Consulting Engineers & Architects Plc, with the largest of the three sitting Lemi Kura sits on 3.88hct on two plots. The company is also building 60,000 residences in the capital in a public-private partnership with the city administration within a three-year schedule. Officials expect the markets to serve as an alternative to 'Merkato' by providing a convenient one-stop shop for the culinary needs of urbanites. The sale of agricultural produce in the capital traditionally takes place in open markets referred to as "Gulit", with large-scale projects to house these produce being relatively novel introductions.

Adwa Zero KM Museum

A 45,000sqm spectacle museum in commemoration of Ethiopia's historic battle and successful defence of its borders against invading Italians 127 years ago is slated for completion within three months near Emperor Menlik II's statue around the Piassa area. The 4.6 billion Br project, given special attention by both the City Administration and the Prime Minister, is made of 11 blocks that have auditoriums that can house 4,000 people at a time, galleries, gyms and art installations. A connecting bridge to the Mayor's office located across the street has already been built. Officials at the city administration suggest that the project is 87pc complete with finishing materials already purchased and being custom fitted by the 600 Ethiopian and 150 Chinese employees. The contractor is China Jiangsu International ETCG while consultancy services are provided by Ethiopia Construction Design Supervision Works Corporation (ECDSWC).

Addis-Africa International Convention & Exhibition Centre (AAICEC)

A gargantuan project that sits on a staggering 110,000 sqm aiming to become the continent's largest convention centre has finished 85pc of the construction process. The decade-long dream child of the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations (AACCSA) is the concerted effort of several stakeholders. The City Administration is by far the largest shareholder with shares valued at over 500 million Br followed by the Ethiopian Tourist & Trading Enterprise’s (ETTE) 170 million Br and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) at 150 million Br. A 2013 public offering of 300,000 shares was subsequently accompanied by a capital raise to 1.5 billion Br. Having survived raised eyebrows and the change of guard across four mayors, the ambitious project has kicked up in gear under the helm of Mayor Adanech Abiebie over the past two years. The project's first phase will be opened by October according to Gashaw Abate, a supervisor at the project since its inception a decade ago. Once done, the AAICEC will house a 5,500sqm event hall, a commercial building with 35 shops and a bank, a 160-seater bridge restaurant, and a 1,500-seater amphitheatre. Designed by Universal Consulate and BET & Fasil Giorghis Consulting Architects, the Centre is expected to house 20,600 sqm of indoor space within its 110,000sqm area.