The Ministry of Urban Development and Infrastructure on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to bolster urban planning, strengthen capacity building, and advance urban monitoring systems across Ethiopia. State Minister for Urban Development and Infrastructure, Fenta Dejen, and JICA Chief Representative to Ethiopia, Hiroyuki Yakushi, formalised the agreement in Addis Ababa, pledging comprehensive collaboration to modernise Ethiopia's rapidly growing cities.

State Minister Fenta Dejen underscored the historically strong cultural, economic, political, and social ties between the governments of Ethiopia and Japan, expressing the Ministry's readiness for comprehensive future engagement with JICA on urban planning initiatives. He recommended that urban planning experts, municipal authorities, and local communities actively participate in joint training programs and knowledge exchange platforms to effectively leverage JICA's global expertise. The State Minister emphasised that this partnership is crucial for creating sustainable, resilient, and livable urban centres as Ethiopia undergoes rapid urbanisation.

For his part, JICA Chief Representative Hiroyuki Yakushi highlighted JICA's extensive experience over the past five years in implementing technology-based information management systems in Ethiopian cities. He noted that JICA has provided specialised training to sector leaders and professional trainers, facilitating invaluable domestic and international experience-sharing programs. Yakushi reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia's urban development agenda, stating that advanced urban monitoring tools and robust capacity building are essential for effective city management and smart growth. The agreement aims to transfer cutting-edge Japanese expertise in urban systems to Ethiopian professionals, ensuring that future urban growth is well-planned and sustainable.