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The inauguration of the Addis International Convention Center (AICC) marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s economic and infrastructural development. In a grand ceremony held on March 1st, 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) officially opened the state-of-the-art facility, underscoring its vital role in transforming Ethiopia into a hub for trade, knowledge exchange, and diplomacy. The center stands as a testament to the power of collaboration to achieve a shared vision of progress.
World-Class Facilities for a Global Stage
Spanning 40 hectares, the AICC is designed to accommodate large-scale international conferences, trade expos, and national events. Key features of the center include:
- Two massive halls capable of hosting between 3,000 to 4,000 attendees each.
- Eight medium and small-sized meeting rooms with a total capacity of 10,000 people.
- Two hotels with a combined capacity of 1,000 rooms, ensuring comfortable accommodation for guests.
- A vast outdoor exhibition space capable of hosting up to 50,000 visitors, making it one of the largest venues of its kind in Ethiopia.
- Additional facilities, including two amphitheaters, two shopping malls, banks, restaurants, and commercial spaces.
- A parking area with a capacity for 2,000 vehicles to ease accessibility.
These amenities position the AICC as a premier destination for global business summits, cultural exchanges, and policy dialogues.
አዲስ ዓለም አቀፍ ኮንቬንሽን ማዕከል በስኬት እንዲጠናቀቅ አብራችሁን ለነበራችሁ አመሰግናለሁ፦ከንቲባ አዳነችአቤቤ | Convention Center |
A Catalyst for Economic Transformation
In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the AICC as more than just a venue; it is a platform for economic and intellectual advancement. According to the Prime Minister, when his government initially considered building a convention center, the Mayor of Addis Ababa informed them that there was already a previous plan within the city to construct such a facility. Applying the ‘Medemer’ philosophy he noted, the government took this existing plan, expanded upon it, integrated additional elements such as corridor development, and refined the project to maximize its impact. This approach not only optimized resources but also ensured that the convention center would serve as a hub for trade, knowledge, and diplomacy.
Strengthening Ethiopia’s Position on the Global Stage
The AICC is poised to attract major international conferences, diplomatic engagements, and trade fairs, strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a leading destination for global discourse. Prime Minister Abiy acknowledged the contributions of affluent Ethiopians who have supported infrastructure projects, particularly the self-financed corridor development initiative. He called on federal and regional leadership to maintain momentum, emphasizing that this inauguration is just the beginning of Ethiopia’s infrastructural renaissance.
በዚህ ማዕከል ንግድ እንነግድበታለን፤ ሃሳብ እንለዋወጥበታለን”፦ ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ዐቢይ አሕመድ (ዶ/ር) ያደረጉትንግግር
Conclusion: A Call for Sustained Collaboration
The Addis International Convention Center represents a pivotal moment in Ethiopia’s developmental journey. It exemplifies the power of cooperation between government entities and the private sector in realizing ambitious projects. As Ethiopia continues its path toward economic transformation, the success of the AICC will depend on sustained collaboration, innovative thinking, and a commitment to leveraging this facility for national and international growth.
The call is clear: government leaders, business communities, and young entrepreneurs must embrace the opportunities presented by the AICC to foster trade, education, and diplomacy. By doing so, Ethiopia will not only strengthen its economic resilience but also shape its global identity as a center for knowledge and prosperity.
