Addis Ababa, October 16, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa’s urban transformation is making a strong impression on visiting African city leaders, with Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey saying the Ethiopian capital has surpassed his expectations and stands as an example for cities across the continent.
Speaking during his visit to Addis Ababa, Allotey praised the city’s parks, schools and infrastructure projects, commending the work being carried out across the capital.
He said the experience had exceeded what he anticipated and expressed hope that the lessons gained would be taken back to Accra to help bring positive changes at home.
“What we have seen in Addis Ababa is more than what we expected,” he said.
The mayor said he had already understood Addis Ababa to be an open city, but what he had experienced during the visit was far beyond that expectation. “I knew Addis Ababa is open, but it’s 10 times more open than what I was expecting,” he remarked.
Allotey said he hoped to take the experiences observed in the Ethiopian capital back to Ghana and apply relevant lessons in Accra. His remarks point to the practical value of exchanges among African city administrations, enabling leaders to see firsthand how urban development initiatives can inform their own efforts.
“Addis Ababa is an example of African cities,” he said, stressing that if cities across Africa moved forward with comparable speed and determination, the continent could make significant progress in a short time.
He also praised Addis Ababa’s culture and atmosphere, describing his stay as a wonderful experience and encouraging Ghanaians and others to visit the Ethiopian capital.
“I’m telling my brothers and sisters, come and visit Addis Ababa, and you’ll never regret it,” he said.
Allotey’s assessment highlights Addis Ababa’s growing role as a point of reference in Africa’s urban-development exchanges, as city leaders consider how experiences in infrastructure, public spaces, education and service delivery can be adapted to their own contexts.
His call to take lessons back to Accra underscores the value of practical cooperation among African cities seeking to improve the lives of their residents.