Bishoftu:City leaders from across Africa have gathered in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, to discuss strategies for urban governance, digitalization, and economic development. This assembly is part of the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Leadership Forum, co-hosted by Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, focusing on enhancing municipal leadership and public service delivery.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Yared Teshome, Policy Director at the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure Development, highlighted that the initiative emphasizes visionary municipal leadership, digitalization, and boosting local revenue. The strategy aims to transform cities into economic and innovation hubs, creating jobs and supporting local economies, while alleviating population pressures on major urban centers.
The forum also showcased Ethiopia's efforts to expand urban development beyond Addis Ababa through corridor development projects, aiming to improve infrastructure and generate economic opportunities. Bishoftu City Mayor Alemayehu Asefa expressed aspirations for the city to become a leading tourism destination in Oromia, Ethiopia, and East Africa, leveraging its natural lakes and hospitality sector.
Mayor Alemayehu outlined ambitious goals to attract over 12 million tourists, create 60,000 jobs, and double annual revenue by enhancing infrastructure, visitor services, and tourism facilities. Plans for the Bishoftu International Airport, designed to handle over 110 million passengers annually, were also discussed as a critical element in the city's growth strategy.
The mayor emphasized the importance of the forum for sharing experiences and evaluating progress in urban development among African city leaders. The event, succeeding a previous gathering in Cape Town, South Africa, provides professional development, technical assistance, and peer learning to bolster urban governance and city management.
