NNA News - More than 750,000 residents have joined Addis Ababa's annual summer cleanup campaign as Ethiopia's capital intensifies efforts to become one of Africa's cleanest, greenest and most liveable cities ahead of the rainy season.

The campaign, now in its seventh year, mobilises government officials, students, security personnel, business leaders, community organisations and football supporters to improve sanitation, unclog drainage systems and enhance public spaces across the city. Volunteers were deployed throughout Addis Ababa's 119 districts on Tuesday, cleaning streets, clearing blocked drainage channels, and collecting waste to reduce the risk of flooding during the peak rainy season.

Director General of the Addis Ababa Cleaning Management Agency, Gezahegn Desisa, said the initiative has grown into one of the city's largest civic participation programmes. "The campaign aims to clean and beautify all neighbourhoods of the city, unclog drainage systems, thereby reducing flooding risks ahead of the rainy season," he said.

People take part in the annual summer cleanup campaign in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, July 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Tewelde) 

The annual programme was launched seven years ago under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and has since become a flagship environmental initiative supporting Addis Ababa's long-term urban development strategy. Officials say the campaign was also designed in response to recurring floods that have claimed lives in previous years, particularly in communities located along rivers and low-lying areas. Desisa said sustained public participation has improved environmental awareness while making the Ethiopian capital more attractive to residents, investors and visitors.

Launching this year's campaign, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie described the initiative as part of the city's broader vision to improve public health, strengthen environmental responsibility and enhance the quality of urban life. "The campaign is not only to clean the city and change its appearance but to improve urban life, safeguard public health, instil environmental stewardship as a cultural norm, and accelerate Addis Ababa's contribution to national development goals," she said.

People take part in the annual summer cleanup campaign in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, July 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Tewelde) 

Residents participating in the campaign said the initiative has strengthened civic pride while encouraging communities to take ownership of their surroundings. Volunteer Marta Hailemariam said the campaign demonstrates how collective action can transform the city. "This is more than just a cleanup campaign. It's about taking pride in where we live and showing that together we can make a real difference," she said.

The campaign forms part of Addis Ababa's wider urban transformation programme, which seeks to improve sanitation, strengthen climate resilience and position the Ethiopian capital as one of Africa's leading sustainable cities.