Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that while the world is “mesmerized” by Ethiopia’s rapid development and economic progress, many Ethiopians have yet to fully recognize the country’s achievements.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Gelan Gura Industrial Park in Addis Ababa, a project expected to create thousands of jobs for young people, Abiy suggested that Ethiopians were not sufficiently recognizing or appreciating the changes underway in the country. He noted that visitors from Europe and the United States are often impressed by what they see, and complained that Ethiopians are not appreciating the progress being made.
“People coming from Europe and America are astonished by the development in your country,” Abiy Ahmed said. “So do not act as if you have not seen it.”
Citing recent remarks by António Guterres, Abiy said the UN chief had described Ethiopia as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. However, the prime minister appeared to extend beyond the cited comments, introducing specific growth figures not included in Guterres’ statement, and asserting that Ethiopia leads Africa in economic expansion.
“You recently heard Guterres speak,” Abiy said. “Ethiopia is the only country growing at 10.2%. Across the whole of Africa, there is no other country registering 10.2% growth.”
Abiy has previously cited similar figures domestically, saying Ethiopia’s economy is projected to expand by 10.2% in 2025–26—higher than the finance ministry’s earlier 8.9% projection. He said the estimate was revised upward following a mid-year review of economic performance.
“Based on a review of the growth performance over the past six months of the current fiscal year, the plan has been revised to project that Ethiopia will record 10.2% growth by the end of the year,” he told lawmakers.
The Prime Minister made no reference to the plight of many Ethiopians who have been forcibly displaced from their homes and livelihoods under the banner of development and urban renewal. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have called on Ethiopia’s federal government to immediately suspend the Corridor Development Project, an expansive urban redevelopment initiative covering at least 58 cities, pending a comprehensive human rights impact assessment. They say those forcibly evicted must be granted effective and enforceable remedies, while robust safeguards must be established to ensure that any future evictions strictly comply with international human rights standards.
With the aim of making the city more presentable to visitors, authorities in Addis Ababa have reportedly carried out arrests and removals of street children and homeless individuals. The practice has drawn concern from rights observers, who argue that it raises serious questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations in the context of urban beautification and redevelopment efforts.
