ADDIS ABABA — Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh officially opened the "Ethiopia Infrastructure and Construction Week" today, a high-level forum aimed at showcasing the nation's developmental progress and outlining future strategic directions. Held under the theme "Ethiopia is Building," the event at the Convention Center brings together key government ministries, state-owned enterprises, and private sector stakeholders.
During his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister Tiruneh emphasized the central role of infrastructure in the nation's economy, describing it as the "lifeblood" of Ethiopia's development. He took the opportunity to address political detractors who have criticized the government's rapid pace of change.
"Many are working alongside us," Tiruneh stated, "but some continue to disparage the changes taking place. Our answer to them is: be good observers; we do not have time to explain ourselves to you." He further asserted that the government would not be distracted by "baseless propaganda" and remains committed to expanding the nation's rail and road networks.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted significant milestones achieved in recent years, noting that Ethiopia’s road network has expanded from 126 kilometers to 182 kilometers. He also pointed to the country's shift toward green energy, revealing that more than 100,000 electric vehicles have been imported into the country to date.
Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, Chaltu Sani, also addressed the forum, noting that the four-day event serves as a platform to review Ethiopia's developmental journey and set new strategic goals. A major highlight of the week will be a panel discussion regarding the construction processes of the new Bishoftu International Airport, a project expected to significantly boost the region's aviation capacity.
The event is a collaborative effort involving a wide array of institutions, including Ethio Telecom, Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian Electric Utility, and the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Labor and Skills, and Water and Energy, among others. The "Ethiopia Infrastructure and Construction Week" is scheduled to continue through April 20, 2026 (Miazia 12, 2018 E.C.).
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia