Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has underscored the critical role of transport infrastructure in driving national development, stating that the expansion of the country’s road network is essential to fully unleashing the economic potential of Ethiopia's diverse tourist destinations.
The Prime Minister made the remarks following an inspection tour of the Chano-Chencha road construction project and the iconic Dorze Lodge, a premier cultural and ecological tourism hub located in southern Ethiopia.
In a statement published on his social media accounts, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that infrastructure development serves as the foundational backbone for unlocking rural wealth and promoting ecological tourism. He noted that high-quality transport corridors are vital for transforming remote natural and cultural assets into robust engines of sustainable economic growth.
The Prime Minister highly commended the accelerated pace of construction on the Chano-Chencha road project. He reiterated that bridging the connectivity gap will significantly improve the travel experience for both domestic and international visitors, seamlessly linking the capital with the country's pristine heritage sites.
"The expansion of road infrastructure is essential to fully exploiting the tourism potential in these regions." — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD)
The infrastructure upgrade is expected to yield substantial socio-economic dividends, aligning with the government's broader agenda of rural revitalization and poverty alleviation.
Local analysts state that the completion of the Chano-Chencha highway will drastically lower logistics costs, integrate isolated local markets into the national supply chain, and stimulate small and medium enterprises. By facilitating smoother travel, the project will bring the unique cultural heritage, distinctive architecture, and world-renowned weaving traditions of the Dorze community to the global stage, ensuring that the fruits of tourism development directly benefit local residents.
