Why Ethiopia wants to build sub-Saharan Africa’s tallest skyscraper
Ethiopia has restarted plans to build what could become the tallest skyscraper in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is estimated to be a 62-storey tower in Addis Ababa that will serve as the new headquarters for Ethiopian Electric Power.
The $445 million project, first proposed in 2023, was delayed by funding issues, but authorities have now reopened the bidding process, inviting both local and international companies to apply.
The tower, designed by engineering firm Dar Al-Handasah, is expected to reach 1,074 feet, taller than Johannesburg’s Leonardo tower, which currently holds the regional record at 768 feet.
The skyscraper will be built in the Kirkos district, near the city’s growing business hub. It will include office spaces, a sky garden, and a rooftop restaurant.
The full site covers 2.8 hectares and is being promoted as a future centre for business and public life.
If completed as planned, it would take four years to build.
The government says it wants only contractors who have handled large-scale projects before, at least three contracts worth $370 million or more.
According to officials, the building reflects Ethiopia’s long-term vision for urban growth and economic transformation.
The energy sector is a central part of that strategy, and the new headquarters is meant to support efforts to improve electricity infrastructure across the country.
“This building will not just change our skyline, it will reflect who we are becoming,” said a spokesperson for Ethiopian Electric Power.
The plan also forms part of a wider push to modernise Addis Ababa’s cityscape and attract foreign investment.
With bidding now open and designs finalised, construction is expected to begin once a suitable contractor is selected.
The image for this article was AI-generated
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
