Eastern Africa *Development Fact File*

[abesha]

No it's not Confusion Square. It's close by, in fact, one of the roads that reach Confusion Square branches off Bole Road.
This is Bole Road itself (a.k.a. Africa Avenue), the road starts at Meskel Square and ends at the airport. It's in the wealthiest area of Addis. This project is quite huge.

They are also building the road that goes from Meskel Square to Saris (it will join Confusion Square). The neighbourhood is mostly known as Beklo Bet. This is a long overdue project. That road is tiny and the neighbourhood is stagnating because of that. Now that it's going to be built, I'm sure development is going to take off in that area.

[Tbite]

State Stadium, Tanzania
Capacity: 65,000 seats
Status: Ongoing (Construction 24 months)
Contractors: Beijing Construction Usa (Official builders of the 08 Olympics)

[Tbite]

Renderings









More Renders at http://www.spacelab.co.uk

Name: Oyster Bay Apartments
City/Country: Dar es Salaam/Tanzania
Floors: 4F
Use: Residential
Architects: Space Lab Architects

Brief

These luxury apartments in Dar es Salaam have been designed to the highest specifications. The site is just two blocks from the sea and all living areas of each apartment are oriented for maximum views. The set-back terraces are designed to create useable outdoor space that is protected from the heat of the sun.

Market constraints were a fundamental consideration in the project’s design. Because of the limited availability of construction materials, the structure is built entirely in concrete and glass, both readily available in the local area. Similarly, the simple construction meets local labour skills.

[Tbite]

Name: Richmond Tower
City/Country: Dar es Salaam
Use: Residential
Status: ?
Developers: Associated Consultants

Brief

A Ultra Modern Residential Complex situated in the heart of the magnificent city of
Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
Located along the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Features

Earthquake resistant construction
Swimming pool
4 High Speed elevators
Hi-tech Gym
Landscaped Gardens
24 hr. Security
Decorated Entrance Lobby
Ample Parking space and Play area

[abesha]

I love the stadium and the Richmond Tower. I'm not sure about the other project. It would be very strange to be by the pool in your bikini and the parking lot is right there.

[Tbite]

Is that Richmond Tower, an old project? I have a feeling I've seen it here before.

[NickABQ]

Addis is on fire! I fuckin love it!! And that center in Djibouti is super sexy!

[abesha]

New huge development in the outskirts of Addis. No renders or anything, but it's very promising.

Oromia Makes 2,000hct Available for Abu Dhabi Group




Abu Dhabi Group, an umbrella of a series of Iraqi businesses, is keen to enter the Ethiopian market, investing in the real estate and hotel sectors that experts estimate would cost billions of Birr. Although very interested to invest in telecom and the finance sector, an exclusive state domain and reserved for nationals, respectively, the Group has agreed to take a 2,000hct plot on the outskirts of Addis in order to develop housing projects.

Groomed and invited by the Directorate for Economic Cooperation and Business Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Group’s Chairman, Sheik Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, met senior federal and regional authorities last week, including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Trade and Industry Minister Girma Birru, and Oromia Regional State President, Abadulla Gemeda. His visit was a follow-up to a previous visit in November 2007 conducted by Bashir Ahmad Tahir, chief executive office (CEO) of the Group.

Abadulla has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 8, 2008, with the Group’s Chairman, committing his administration to avail the 2,000hct plot within a 35Km radius of Addis Abeba, ideally in Erer, northeast of the capital, or Legetafo, to the south, Alemu Sime, Investment Commissioner of the Oromia Regional State, told Fortune.

“The Group can choose whichever area they like,” said Alemu.

The houses to be developed in the chosen area, incorporating schools and hospitals, will be available for sale and rent both for foreign nationals and Ethiopians, a senior official from the Directorate told Fortune.

“This kind of business is new to Ethiopia,” a city planning expert told Fortune. “It is a multibillion Birr investment that will have tremendous benefits for the country.”

Authorities here are expecting the Group to send a team of experts in the coming two weeks to develop feasibility studies for its investment in real estate development; constructing a five-star hotel in Addis Abeba is also part of the Group’s desire, thus its managers have agreed to submit their request to the city administration within the same period, a senior minister told Fortune.

Following a request from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Caretaker Administration of Addis Abeba has prepared 50 plots for hotel construction and floated a public tender to lease them for private developers. There were not enough bidders when the tender was opened in December 2007.

Abu Dhabi Group was established in 1993 by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayeed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Butti Hamed Al Hamed. The Group, employing 10,000 people, is very active in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and United Arab Emirates (UAE), in banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and the hospitality industry. It has a strong presence in Africa operating in Uganda and Botswana.

“The Ethiopian government is aware of the potential of the Group and committed to encourage it invest in Ethiopia,” Minister Girma told Fortune.

[abesha]

The impact of condominium constructions has not yet been felt, private real estate offerings do not come within the majority's reach and all the while the city keeps growing. In a bid to alleviate housing shortages in Addis Abeba the just established Housing Development Corporation has come out with a bang. The monumental plans would erect multiple structures using precious city land more efficiently.

New Housing Corp to Construct Skyscraper Apartments




The newly established Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is to construct a series of skyscrapers of 30 storeys or more in a bid to curb the housing shortage in Addis Abeba. The design and construction of the structures is expected to be carried out by foreign companies.

This is the first move of the Corporation, established in January 18, 2008, by the Council of Ministers. It envisions investing billions of Birr to alleviate the shortage of housing in the metropolis.

The constructions are planned to be carried out in the central part of the city; dishing out extra plots from governmental agencies and demolishing huge villas owned by the former Rented Houses Agency (RHA).

Arkebe Oqubay, state minister of Works and Urban Development, told Fortune these types of construction plans are unprecedented in Ethiopia.

According to a Ministry of Works and Urban Development (MWUD) study, there is a one million house shortage in Ethiopia of which 400,000 are needed in Addis Abeba. The federal government, through the Ministry, has therefore launched a project in 2007 to construct 400,000 houses in 30 towns with a budget of 24 billion Br. These constructions are intended for the medium and lower income earners.

To undertake these massive projects there are 408 real estate companies which have requested 95.7 million square metres of land with a registered capital of 42.9 billion Br. However, only 100 have received land and half of them have started constructions.

Although, the government initially intended to address the housing demand of the lower strata of the population, real estate prices are unaffordable even to the middle income earners according to sector observers.

The average price tag these real estate developers offer for a single square metre in the capital is 10,000 Br. Officials at MWUD also agree that market prices have gone way beyond affordable levels.

A study the Ministry commissioned to address this problem recommended the establishment of the HDC following troubles the various agencies involved in housing have had in tackling housing problems, and has been endorsed by the Council of Ministers.

According to Arkebe, the construction envisioned by the Corporation has dual purposes.

“For one, it upgrades the capacity of the local construction sector from small scale construction to mega structures,” Arkebe told Fortune. “It also helps to efficiently utilise the urban land.”

Addis Abeba encompasses 54,000hct, of which 30,000hct has been used for various constructions. According to the master plan, the interior part of the city will be revamped with higher rising constructions. Vacant spots in the city are also intended for expansions.

According to a population expert, the growth of the population of Addis Abeba is so speedy that it would overtake all the expansion plots within 20 years.

“The construction of skyscraper apartments is therefore a wise way of tackling the trouble,” he stated.

By WUDINEH ZENEBE

SPECIAL TO FORTUNE

this is great. I just hope the designs are not butt ugly like the GTZ ones.


ETA: here's a better article about the project. It sounds CRAZY!

Chinese companies to erect 200 high-rise buildings in Addis
Saturday, 26 January 2008

Two to four billion birr earmarked for project

Three Chinese construction companies will in months' time launch what will become the biggest real estate venture in the country involving the construction of 200 high-rise buildings in Addis Ababa, State Minister of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development Arkebe Oqubay told The Reporter.

The buildings, which will have 20 to 30 storeys, will be constructed under the proprietorship of the Ethiopian Housing Development Corporation, a new state-owned enterprise whose establishment legislation was endorsed by the Council of Ministers a fortnight ago. The enterprise will allocate two to four billion birr for the project, according to Arkebe.

Scheduled to commence within the first two months of the next Ethiopian new year in September 2008, this massive real estate project is planned to be finalized within five to ten years. "The construction of each building is projected to take 24 months. Depending on a number factors that may affect the pace of the construction, the project may get finalized within five years at best or may take longer period that will not exceed ten years," the state minister said.

Selection of ideal sites for the mega real estate project is already under way while the design works of the buildings will soon be started. The Corporation may use plots of land under the possession of the Agency for Government Houses for the construction of some of the buildings, according to the state minister. The Chinese companies, whose name is withheld for the time being until a final argument is sealed, will undertake both the design work and the construction of the buildings. The three Chinese companies are actively operating in the construction of skyscrapers in China where one of which recently completed the structural work of a 101-storey building, according to the state minister. The companies were simply selected to undertake the building project after having examined their experience in the world's booming real estate industry of China.

The buildings, which will mainly serve for housing purpose, will sport various types and size of living apartments and may incorporate offices, malls and supermarkets in accordance with their designs. The Corporation targets potential customers both local and in the diaspora.

The Ethiopian Housing Development Corporation, which will be managed and run independently, may rent or sell the apartments based on market demand. Envisioned to become a profitable enterprise, the Corporation will further expand its activity and capitalize on the booming real estate project.

By Hayal Alemayehu

[African Lion]

thanks abesha,

Sounds good but they should leave some space for parks, sidewalks green areas. Addis is getting more cosmopolitan and it wont be long before I could picture myself living there for good. The project looks big and promising but the government must learn to let the free market do its thing sometimes.

[Carver02]

Yes, enterprise in Ethiopia still needs to be freed-up, that's for sure.

There are requirements (I forgot the percentages) that if a developer builds large tower blocs he or she also has to use X% of the land they have for villas. Hopefully, they will also be careful to mix in green areas.

[skipperBill]

Two to four billion birr earmarked for project

Three Chinese construction companies will in months' time launch what will become the biggest real estate venture in the country involving the construction of 200 high-rise buildings in Addis Ababa, State Minister of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development Arkebe Oqubay told The Reporter.

The buildings, which will have 20 to 30 storeys, will be constructed under the proprietorship of the Ethiopian Housing Development Corporation, a new state-owned enterprise whose establishment legislation was endorsed by the Council of Ministers a fortnight ago. The enterprise will allocate two to four billion birr for the project, according to Arkebe.

...wow. sounds promising. thank you abesha.

I agree I would also love to see more "Central Park" type of green spaces.
I think they have one planned but space seems to be filling up quickly around town...
Lets all hope they build it before there is no more room left in central Addis.

[skipperBill]

Has anyone heard about this?.....I hope it hasnt been posted already...
---------------------------------
Yemen, Djibouti bridge
Bab el Mandab/Gulf of Aden

Faqirah talked about the strategic importance of the bridge project between Yemen and Djibouti. He said, the project will create an organic connection between the Port of Aden and Djibouti Port, particularly bridge a linkage with the Dubai Port administration.

Speaking on budget of the project Faqirah estimated that the cost of it will reach up to $10 billion to $ 20 billion, which will be implemented through two phases.

Source: Khaleej Times, Aug 13, 2007

another link

[African Lion]

Originally Posted by skipperBill

Has anyone heard about this?.....I hope it hasnt been posted already...
---------------------------------
Yemen, Djibouti bridge
Bab el Mandab/Gulf of Aden

I don't think its been posted but I heard about this two years ago. It really is an interesting project which is going to cost a lot of money. I think that a good ferry system would do the job just fine because building a very expensive bridge at this time is unnecessary. Yemen is just as poor as the horn countries and you can only wonder where the money would come from.

[skipperBill]

Good points AfricaLion. I think I read somewhere also that
Saudi Arabia might be involved in the financing as well
.....in order to tap more markets.
------------------------
Shala and Abyiata Tourist Town [Dubai Injaz Plc- Project Approved]
Oromia State, Ethiopia

*these pictures are only a rendering, not final design


Name: Tourist Town

Cost: 13 billion birr ($1.5bil)

Size: 38,000-hectare

Use: Entertainment/Residential/Commercial

Status: Project Approved

Here is an update...its massive project:

Dubai company’s board approves 13bln tourist city project

Saturday, 02 February 2008
The board of a Dubai-based company called Injaz Group has approved a 13 billion birr tourist city building project to take place around lakes Shala and Abiyata, about 230 km southwest of Addis Ababa in Oromia region, Oromia Investment Commission Commissioner Alemu Sime told The Reporter.

here are previous posts about this both from abesha:1 2

[skipperBill]

A great video about Addis' development challenges:

[Guaro Llanero]

Very interesting video! There's a woman saying she's happy 'cause she earns 2$ a day... I wonder what can you do with 2$ in Ethiopia???

[African Lion]

Originally Posted by Guaro Llanero

Very interesting video! There's a woman saying she's happy 'cause she earns 2$ a day... I wonder what can you do with 2$ in Ethiopia???

Interesting video, two dollars a day does go a long way. Due to the cost of living its about 15 to 20 dollars a day. That is based on the amount of goods that you can buy in ethiopia. This is not bad money, considering that there is high unemployment in the city.

Once again I have to hear how the government owns all the land in Ethiopia. You cant have wealth without privatization of land. This one thing will keep the country from going anywhere and the government will not hear the opposition voice because they want to own or control everything. They have not strayed far from their Marxist past.

[Tarrex]

Sunshine boss to discuss with PM on Projects

Saturday, 09 February 2008
Image
Samuel Tafesse
Samuel Tafesse, Proprietor and managing director of Sunshine Construction, will hold discussions with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi about the massive real estate and hotels project the company is poised to launch at the heart of Addis Ababa and on its peripherals, The Reporter has learnt.
The discussion is aimed at highlighting the significance of the close to 11 billion birr massive project which includes the erection of high-rise "deluxe" apartments, five-star hotels, and some 829 modern villas, among others.

Aside the 11-storey hotel apartment whose construction is being finalized, Sunshine plans to build a five-star hotel housed in three, 13-storey buildings around Maskal Square. The hotel is projected to cost 850 million birr. The future five-star hotel will be a joint venture investment between Sunshine Construction and a U.S. Company named AYR. This hotel is designed to have 252 rooms, seven restaurants, four meeting halls, a gym and other facilities. The hotel is planned to be managed under Marriot International.

Behind its headquarters around Maskal Square, Sunshine will build "deluxe" apartments housed in twenty, 16-storey buildings along with a six-storey car parking lot, whose projected cost stands at 3.5 billion birr.

The construction company plans to erect two, eleven-storey buildings behind ECA headquarters, which will serve as a five-star hotel and is projected to cost half a billion birr.

Sunshine also plans to build another five-star hotel housed in three, seven-storey buildings equipped with casino facilities, which is planned to serve only foreigners. Planned to be launched around Ayat real estate environs, this project will include a 550,000 square meters golf playing field. The construction company plans to build 640 modern villas around the same area.

Sunshine also plans to build another 189 modern villas around CMC area.

The whole project, if all goes according to plan, is projected to cost a total of 10.45 billion birr.

This is how you treat your people!

In a related news, Sunshine Construction has started building schools for HIV-orphaned children, the first of such project this week launched in Nekemte town.


The school will accommodate 400 students where there will be ten classrooms for one to ten-graders, each room accomodating 40 students. The school is projected to cost five million birr and will be wholly financed by Sunshine Construction.

The construction company will in the coming five years build another four such schools in Bahir Dar (Amara region), Mekele (Tigray region), Souther region and Addis Ababa, according to Dagnamyelew Girma, Sunshine Construction's Business Development and PR Service Head.

The company is committed to contribute its share towards curbing the socio-economic problem prevailing in the country, according to Dagnamyelew.

By Hayal Alemayehu and Asegid Teferra

http://en.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/225/36/

[Tarrex]

Nekemte, Ethiopia


80mln birr stadium project to be launched in Nekemte



Status: U/C

The East Wollega Zone Administration and Nekemte Town Administration will next week launch the construction of what will become a modern and the first-of-its-type stadium and youth center in the Oromia region, Dereje Deressa, Mayor of Nekemte town told The Reporter.
The facility, whose plan and design is already completed, is projected to cost about 80 million birr, according to the mayor. The Oromia Regional Government has in support of the project pledged to provide 20 million birr. The administrations plan to secure the balance required to fully finance the project through organizing telethons and others fund raising activities, the mayor said. The community has also pledged to provide over six million birr for the project, of which more than one million birr is already secured, according to the mayor.

The stadium will, according to its plan and design, accommodate 20,000 people. It will sport a youth center, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a mini-soccer field, volleyball and basketball fields, a gym, a shopping center, lodges and other facilities, according to Mesele Haile (Ph.D), owner and manager of MH Engineering, a consulting company which undertook the design work. The company has financed the design and preliminary works of the stadium to the tune of 800,000 birr, according to Mesele.

The ground breaking work for the construction of the stadium, which will have a modern athletics track, is expected to take place in a week’s time, according to Mesele. The project is scheduled to take four years to be completed, as it will be financed by fund raising and other related activities which will take place in different cities at different times.

The future recreational and sport center is named Wollega Stadium.

By Hayal Alemayehu