As someone who has lived in Addis Ababa for years, I’ve seen many parts of the city have been changing. But nothing has surprised me more than the transformation of Kazanchis. For a long time, Kazanchis was one of those places people avoided. It was crowded, dirty, and forgotten by the city’s planners. But today, that same neighborhood is shining with new life. And in my opinion, this is more than just a development project; it’s a lesson for the whole country.
Kazanchis used to be a mess, let’s be honest. The roads were narrow and full of potholes. Buildings were built without planning; some leaning so close together that sunlight couldn’t even reach the ground. The smell in some areas was bad, and the streets didn’t feel safe, especially at night. There were no parks, no sidewalks, and barely any space for children to play or for businesses to grow. Life there was not easy for the people who lived in it.
The problem, in my view, came from years and years of careless urban growth. Like many parts of Addis Ababa, Kazanchis was built without any real plan. The city just kept expanding, and the government didn’t keep up. A neighborhood full of broken pipes, poor electricity, trash on the streets, and people forced to live in difficult conditions. And still, they managed to survive with what little they had. But survival is not enough. People deserve to live with dignity.
So when the city administration decided to include Kazanchis in the second phase of its big corridor development project, I was hopeful, but also unsure. We’ve heard big promises before. But this time, they delivered. What they have done with Kazanchis is nothing short of amazing. And more importantly, it shows what’s possible when leaders actually commit to improving people’s lives.
Now, Kazanchis looks like a completely different place. Wide roads, smooth sidewalks, and beautiful trees line the streets. At night, modern streetlights give a warm and safe feeling. There are parks where families gather and playgrounds where children laugh and run. I’ve walked through the area myself, and I couldn’t believe I was still in the same neighborhood that used to feel so heavy and sad. Buildings have been painted, the air is cleaner, and even cyclists have their own paths. In Addis Ababa, that is something new.
But I want to make this clear: it’s not just about how the place looks. The biggest success of the Kazanchis project is how it has changed people’s lives. Many residents who used to live in unsafe homes have now been given better housing in other parts of the city. These new places have schools, clinics, and green spaces. One woman I spoke to, a mother of three, told me how much her children love their new school. “They come home smiling every day,” she said. That’s the kind of change that matters.
Of course, the project hasn’t been perfect. Some people had to move, and that was difficult for them. No one wants to leave their home, even if it’s for a better one. But the government tried to support them and give fair compensation. Yes, some mistakes were made. But that’s part of any big change. We cannot let fear of discomfort stop us from growing.
When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke at the opening ceremony, he compared old Kazanchis to a person who hadn’t washed or combed their hair in years. Now, he said, it’s like seeing that person clean, dressed up, and confident. I laughed when I heard that because it’s so true. And he’s right; this is the Ethiopia we should be building: clean, proud, and full of life.
The change in Kazanchis has also changed how others see us. Foreign visitors who once thought Addis Ababa was disorganized are now saying things like, “This feels like a modern capital.” And they’re not wrong. When people from other countries see what we’re doing, they start to believe in our future too. That matters a lot. How we present ourselves to the world affects how the world treats us.
I’ve also noticed something else: when people live in a better environment, they behave differently. They become more hopeful, more respectful. Children play without fear. Shop owners say they’re getting more customers. Families take evening walks. It’s as if people have been given permission to dream again. That’s what I love most about this project; it reminds people of what they deserve.
Some people might say this is just one neighborhood. That it’s too small to matter. But they’re wrong. Kazanchis is a sign. A sign that progress is possible if we work hard and plan well. A sign that Ethiopia is not stuck in the past. We are moving forward, and we are doing it our way.
The corridor project also brought some smart improvements. Water and electricity are more reliable now. That means no more long days without clean water or light. Traffic lights are working better, helping reduce accidents and traffic jams. These are not small things. They are basic needs that every citizen should have.
Still, let’s not fool ourselves. This is not the end. It’s just the beginning. Kazanchis is a success, but many neighborhoods are still waiting for their chance. We can’t stop here. We have to keep working—neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street—until the whole country rises. We need leaders who care, engineers who plan carefully, and citizens who believe in change. We all have a role to play.
We must also protect what we’ve built. A clean road today can turn into a mess tomorrow if we don’t maintain it. Parks need care. Buildings need to be respected. And we need to make sure that the poor are not forgotten in the name of development. It’s easy to build something nice once. It’s harder to keep it nice for years. That’s our next challenge.
Kazanchis has taught us a powerful lesson: that transformation is possible with vision, patience, and unity. Yes, the government led the project. But it was also the workers who woke up early to lay bricks, the planners who stayed late drawing maps, and the citizens who cooperated during difficult times. That’s what made the difference.
Some may say we still have a long way to go. And they’re right. Ethiopia is still facing many problems: poverty, unemployment, conflict, and more. But Kazanchis shows us that we can solve these problems one by one if we stay focused and united.
In my opinion, every Ethiopian should visit Kazanchis today. Not just to see the clean roads or the nice buildings, but to feel the spirit of progress. To believe again in what we can achieve. To understand that hard work does bring results. Just like our old proverb says, “He who works patiently will enjoy the fruit.” That fruit is now growing in Kazanchis, and it tastes like hope.
Let’s not stop now. Let Kazanchis be the first of many. Let it remind us that we are builders, dreamers, and doers. We don’t need to wait for others to lift us up. We have what it takes to rise, together.
That’s why I believe Kazanchis is not just a story of a neighborhood. It’s a message to the whole country. It says, “Look what’s possible.” And if we’re wise, we’ll listen. Because this is how Ethiopia will grow, by building one strong, proud, and beautiful place at a time.
BY ERMIAS WASSIHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 6 MAY 2025
