The French Development Agency (AFD) has provided a 12 million euros financing to support the first phase of the restoration and public opening of Addis Ababa National Palace Project.
ADDIS ABABA (Embassy of France in Ethiopia) – On 16 July 2020, a grant agreement has been signed between Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Valérie Tehio, the French Development Agency (AFD) Country Director and Mr. Frederic Bontems, Ambassador of France to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and to the African Union.
Through this agreement, a 12 million euros financing has been provided by AFD to support the first phase of the restoration and public opening of Addis Ababa National Palace Project. This Project is part of the commitments taken by French Government during the Head of State visit in Addis Ababa in March 2019 in favor of Ethiopian Heritage program.
The Addis Ababa National Palace was built during Emperor Haile Selassie reign and has become one of the most emblematic national buildings of Ethiopia, though it was never opened to the public and was used as an official residency that is currently used as the official quarters of the President.
The first phase of the Project would have a total cost of 20 million euros and will consist in opening the Palace to the public along with the park in front of the Palace. A complementary grant of 8 million euros is expected to be provided by AFD in 2021 after the launch of the works.
This Project that will be implemented through international best practices will contribute to: (i) the capacity building of Ethiopian administration in terms of preservation and management of urban patrimony, (ii) the development of a new touristic attraction in the city of Addis Ababa, and (iii) the reclaim of the site and associated history for the local population.
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Palace Administration will be in charge of the implementation with the support of Expertise France, a French public agency and a key actor in international technical cooperation, specialized in designing and implementing technical cooperation projects especially through participation of French public institutions such as Versailles’ Palace organization which will intervene and provide assistance to this project.
About Agence Française de Développement
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funds, supports and accelerates the transitions to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, our teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and other 115 countries. In this way, we contribute to the commitment of France and French people to support the sustainable development goals.
Source: Embassy of France in Ethiopia and to the African Union