Ethiopia restarts $445 million plan for Africa’s tallest tower

At a Glance:

• Ethiopia restarts $445 million plan for Africa’s tallest building in Addis Ababa. 
• Global tender launched for 62-storey EEP tower near Mexico Square. 
• Project revival signals confidence in Ethiopia’s infrastructure, energy, and skyscraper growth.

Ethiopia has restarted construction plans for what will become the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa—a $445 million, 62-storey skyscraper for Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Initially unveiled in 2023 but delayed due to funding and logistical hurdles, the project has now been relaunched with a global tender for qualified contractors. 

The tower, set to rise 327.5 meters above Addis Ababa’s Kirkos district near Mexico Square, will outpace the current regional record-holder—the 209 meters tall (46 floors) Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) headquarters.

That structure, completed in 2021, currently stands as East Africa’s tallest building.

Ethiopia eyes landmark infrastructure growth 

Spanning a built-up area of 197,800 square meters on a 20,792-square-meter plot, the skyscraper is poised to become a landmark for Addis Ababa’s Financial District.

EEP’s relaunched plan includes premium commercial space, 55 floors of office towers, three basement levels for parking and utilities, and a rooftop sky garden and restaurant. 

EEP has enlisted global engineering consultancy Dar Al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) for design and construction oversight.

Bidding is open to local and international firms with strong financial capacity and a proven track record in large-scale infrastructure projects. 

To qualify, bidders must show at least a decade of experience since 2015, with a minimum of three completed contracts worth $370 million each.

They must also demonstrate an average annual turnover of $230 million over the past five years.

Power, roads, and regional influence 

The revival of this mega-project aligns with Ethiopia’s broader ambitions to reshape its infrastructure landscape.

The nation is simultaneously driving forward Africa’s largest hydropower project—the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)—to bolster energy security and cross-border cooperation. 

Ethiopia’s infrastructure agenda also includes one of Africa’s longest road networks, now exceeding 120,000 kilometers.

The government views road and energy infrastructure as key pillars in transforming the country into a regional economic powerhouse.

Ethiopia’s renewed commitment to the EEP tower signals growing investor confidence in its infrastructure vision, positioning Addis Ababa as a future financial and energy powerhouse on the continent.