Ethiopia: AFD and Ministry of Finance to Support the Restoration and Opening to Public of the Jubilee Palace in Addis Ababa

President Emmanuel Macron committed in 2019 to support the Ethiopian authorities in the management of two major national heritage sites: the Jubilee Palace and Lalibela churches. Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has been financing the restoration and opening to the public of the Jubilee Palace since 2020. On May 12, 2022, the Ministry of Finance, represented by H.E Ms Semereta Sewasew, State Minister in charge of Economic Cooperation, signed a grant agreement for a second instalment of 432 million Birr (8 million Euro) with AFD, represented by Ms Valerie TEHIO, Country director.

The signing was attended by H.E. the Ambassador of France in Ethiopia and for the African Union, Remi Marechaux. The total amount of 1,072 billion Birr (20 million Euro) provided by AFD is supporting the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Palace Administration (FDREPA) to restore and open to the public the last residence of Emperor Haile Selassie and its collections. This important Ethiopian heritage could become one of the main touristic landmarks of the city. The project will also strengthen the Palace administration capacity to manage the museum, once open to national and international public.

The civil works of restoration of the main building of the Palace are about to start. Procurement is still on going for the partial restoration of the park and for the construction of security and visitors' entrance building. Besides, French expertise is supporting FDREPA to transform the site into a first category museum: the Etablissement Public de Versailles, the French Ministry of Culture, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Natural History, Mr Gabor Mester de Paradj, Architect of historical monuments, and others. Expertise France, an AFD subsidiary for technical assistance is coordinating the expert team. Mr Fasil Giorgis, is the architect in charge of supervising the works. The restored Palace is expected to open in September 2023.

Active in Ethiopia since 1993, AFD has been operating in Ethiopia with sovereign and non-sovereign loans, grants and bank guarantees to finance projects run by the State and local authorities, public or private companies, and civil society organizations. Its on-going commitment amounts to more than 450 million euros.

Media Contact: Bérénice Oreyo-Pierronnet | +254 759 637 405