Ethiopia Inaugurates Restored National Palace

The restored National Palace was officially inaugurated on Sunday (December 29) in the presence of President Taye Atske-Selassie, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and senior government officials.?

The National Palace was originally constructed to commemorate Emperor Haile Selassie’s Silver Jubilee, hence its former name, Jubilee Palace. It was principally intended as an expansive? space for royalty, national leaders, and dignitaries. In an initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy,? the National Palace was renovated while ensuring that the palace retains its historical and cultural significance.

Speaking on the occasion, President Taye Atske-Selassie said,?

“Today, we’re not only celebrating the renovation of the palace. We are also revealing a profound time capsule from a different era and a repository of history. This isn’t just a palace. It is a storybook. A chronicle of our triumph. our struggle. And even a few of our trials and tribulations.”

While reiterating the paramount significance of the palace in the coming to life of modern Ethiopian diplomacy and the early idea of Pan-Africanism, President Taye reminisced about the fact that it has been a gracious host to leaders across the continent such as Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, Milton Obote, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Julius Nyerere, Ahmed Ben Bella, Leopold Sedar Senghor, as well as influential freedom fighters such as Nelson Mandela and Samuel Marshall, to mention a few.?

In his speech, he also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the custodians, civil servants, and keepers of the palace for their constant efforts to preserve and pass the palace and its tapestry of historical riches on to posterity.??

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on his part said,?

“The National Palace now stands as a testament to our nation’s journey, embodying the resilience, artistry, and vision of our people. By restoring it to its former glory, we honour our past and create a lasting symbol of pride and inspiration for future generations.”

PM Abiy further stated that the newly restored National Palace is set to play a pivotal role in advancing Ethiopia’s tourism sector plan, which prioritizes cultural heritage as a driver of economic growth. He said,?

“Building on the success of Unity Park and the growing demand for urban attractions, the National Palace will attract both domestic and international tourists, and expected to boost revenues for local businesses and jobs creation across the tourism value chain. Historical and cultural landmarks like the National Palace play a vital role in spurring urban development and enhancing Ethiopia’s global image.”

In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Palace Museum is now open to the public, making it one of the prime tourist attractions in Addis Ababa, also known as the ‘Diplomatic and Political Capital of Africa.’ The restoration and public opening of the national palace were carried out with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD).

This piece originally appeared in 10 January 2025 edition of A Week in the Horn