Addis Ababa's Housing Boom: Building Homes or Affordable Living?

On October 29, the Addis Ababa City Administration reported the completion and handover of 496,971 homes over the past five years, including 4,200 delivered in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. While this construction surge is significant, it raises questions about actual housing affordability for ordinary residents. The analysis argues that building homes and making them affordable are distinct issues, and the city's housing strategy may be failing to account for the median income of residents. Although the administration cites high construction figures, it lacks transparent data regarding home prices relative to wages, recipient income levels, and average waiting times. Consequently, while the city's skyline is physically expanding, many residents remain unable to afford the housing being produced, highlighting a disconnect between output and accessibility.