Addis Ababa and its Sibling Cities: Explaining the Development Gap
What’s the reason behind Addis Ababa's progress ahead of the rest of the country?
In 1935, mere months before the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Chekosolovakian explorer Adolf Parlesak went to Addis Ababa. He described the city as “steps ahead of the rest of the country.” The paved roads, modern schools, and electricity he found in Addis were a rarity in the rest of Ethiopia. Thankfully, most Ethiopian cities now have roads, schools, and electricity. However, noticing a disparity between Addis Ababa and the rest of Ethiopia’s cities doesn't take much observation. Addis Ababa appears to be significantly more advanced than other cities in Ethiopia regarding technological advancements, overall infrastructure, and business climate. This raises the question:
What’s the reason behind Addis Ababa's progress ahead of the rest of the country?