Ethiopia Shoots for the Sky with 327m Skyscraper

Ethiopia is reviving plans for a landmark skyscraper set to become the tallest in sub-Saharan Africa. The $445 million tower will reshape Addis Ababa’s skyline and serve as the new headquarters for Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the national electricity agency.

Originally kicked off in 2023, the 62-story skyscraper faced delays due to financial and logistical challenges. But now, EEP is back in action, reopening the international tendering process and looking for both local and international contractors who can handle large-scale infrastructure projects through an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.

The tower, set to rise 327.5 metres above the capital, will dwarf its closest competitors—the 234-metre Leonardo Tower in Johannesburg and the 209-metre Commercial Bank of Ethiopia building, currently the tallest in East Africa.

Occupying a 2.8-hectare plot in the rapidly transforming Kirkos district near Mexico Square, the future headquarters will encompass a built-up area of nearly 198,000 square metres.

According to the project brief, the building will have three basement levels set aside for parking and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems. 

On top of that, there will be a podium featuring commercial outlets and the main EEP lobby, along with 55 upper floors that will be dedicated to office spaces and vertical gardens. 

Two topmost levels will host a sky garden, technical rooms, and a panoramic rooftop restaurant. 

The design and construction supervision have been entrusted to Beirut-based consultancy Dar Al-Handasah (Shair & Partners), a firm well-regarded for its work on complex engineering projects across Africa and the Middle East.

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The process of selecting a contractor is quite rigorous. Bidders need to show they have at least ten years of experience in significant construction projects since 2015, and they must have successfully completed a minimum of three contracts, each worth $370 million or more. 

On top of that, applicants are required to provide evidence of an average annual turnover of at least $230 million over the last five years.

EEP officials view the tower not only as a new corporate home but also as a national symbol of modernisation. “This project is designed to position Ethiopia as a serious player in infrastructure development,” one EEP spokesperson remarked.

Beyond its symbolic height, the building is expected to catalyse further investment into Addis Ababa’s central business district and create a wave of construction-related employment. 

While the construction timeline is projected to span four years, industry observers note that the successful execution will depend on securing a seasoned contractor and managing Ethiopia’s evolving economic conditions.

With Dar Al-Handasah overseeing delivery and EEP determined to press forward, the race is now on to see which contractor will take the helm of what could become sub-Saharan Africa’s most iconic structure.

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