Hundreds of urban land, planning, and finance professionals have completed rigorous training and assessment designed to revitalise revenue collection and improve urban development across Ethiopia’s major cities. The Urban Revenue Reform Office (URRO), under the Ministry of Urban Development and Infrastructure, today celebrated the culmination of the initiative, which was rolled out across five universities during the 2017 fiscal year.
The program, conducted at Ambo, Adama, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, and Hawassa Universities, saw 634 professionals from the land, planning, and finance sectors undergo intensive training followed by comprehensive assessments. The vast majority completed the evaluation, signalling a significant boost to the capacity of urban governance.
The closing ceremony, held today in Addis Ababa, drew sector leaders from the ministry, representatives from all regions and city administrations, and key personnel who spearheaded the training programs at the participating universities.
On the occasion, State Minister of Urban Development and Infrastructure, Fenta Dejen, emphasised the critical role of the training in addressing persistent challenges facing Ethiopia’s urban centres. “The training and assessment were specifically designed to tackle the systemic problems plaguing our cities’ land management and planning processes,” State Minister Fenta stated during his address.
He further stressed that training should be considered a catalyst for tangible results, not merely an end in itself. “Our work in the land sector has been particularly demanding. The positive advancements we are witnessing today are a direct consequence of this targeted training.”
The State Minister also highlighted the URRO’s extensive efforts to improve revenue collection systems in cities, aiming to make them financially self-sufficient.
He went on explaining that boosting urban revenue is critical for sustainable development and the ability of cities to provide essential services to their growing populations.
During the forum, a detailed report on the implementation of the training and assessment program across the five universities was presented. The report highlighted key achievements, challenges encountered, and lessons learned during the fiscal year. A separate study focusing on the demonstrable benefits of the training and assessment on the urban land and planning sector was also presented and thoroughly discussed by the attendees.
The presentations sparked a lively discussion among participants, with numerous comments and questions raised regarding the practical application of the training and strategies for maximising its impact. Participants were particularly interested in exploring innovative approaches to land management, effective revenue collection techniques, and sustainable urban planning practices.
The State Minister provided a concluding statement, emphasising the Ministry's continued commitment to investing in human capital and strengthening institutional capacity in the urban sector. He reiterated the importance of collaboration between the ministry, regional and city administrations, and academic institutions in achieving national development goals.
To acknowledge their invaluable contributions to the success of the training program, the State Minister presented certificates of appreciation to the universities, instructors, and other stakeholders who played a supporting role in the initiative. The certificates recognised their dedication and commitment to fostering excellence in urban land management and planning.
The successful completion of this training and assessment program represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to transform Ethiopia’s urban landscapes into thriving and sustainable economic hubs. By equipping urban professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage land resources, improve revenue collection, and implement sound planning practices, the URRO aims to create cities that are better positioned to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and contribute to the nation's overall prosperity. The long-term impact of this initiative will be closely monitored as these trained professionals return to their respective cities and begin implementing the knowledge and skills they have acquired, according to the social media page of the Ministry of Urban Development and Infrastructure of the FDRE.