Ethiopia is known to hold the original ark of covenant, it is home of Lucy, the ancestor of mankind, and Ethiopian coffee is of world fame. The country’s culture is unique; traditions, food, religion, custom, language, dancing, music are all very diverse and beautiful. But the country is also pulling up its meeting sleeves, with the construction of the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center (AAICEC).
With more than 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub-Saharan ecosystem. Birdlife abounds, and indigenous animals, from the rare Walia ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa.
At the crossroads
With one of the largest biodiversity zones in the world, nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as one intangible one (Ethiopia Meskel Festival: The finding of the true cross), Ethiopia is a place like no other, a land of formidable mountains, broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with its famous collections of birdlife, great escarpments and stunning vistas. The Blue Nile falls rank as one of the greatest natural spectacles in Africa today.
Ethiopia sits in the horn of Africa, at the crossroads linking Europe, Asia and Africa. The rapid and continuous growth of its economy attracts many foreign and local investors to participate in the country fast-moving business development.
Great potential
To tap into its great potential, Ethiopia is now working hard developing its venue and accommodation infrastructure, with the construction of the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center (AAICEC) in the Ethiopian capital.
Standing proud on 11 hectares of land in a prominent location, AAICEC is the first of its kind in the country, and in East Africa - it will provide flexible space for international, regional and national events, which in turn will create great economic benefits to Ethiopia as a whole. AAICEC is the result of a public-private partnership.
Since Addis Ababa is the seat of Africa Union, Africa Economic Commission, more than 100 embassies, and many international headquarters of businesses, AAICEC will not only filling the gaps in the supply of venues but will also become a hub for innovation exchanges and economic development. AAICEC will be a focal point of business in Africa, facilitate regional and international trade and investment, and extend access to global markets for Ethiopian firms, while putting Ethiopia and Africa on the global meeting map.
As for figures, AAICEC will boast several exhibition halls (for a total of 20,600 sqm of indoor space), one multipurpose hall (capacity: 5,000), 2 auditoriums with 500 seats each, 6 small meeting rooms for up 100 seated participants, alongside a five-star hotel, restaurants, playgrounds, a shopping mall, and even a theater.
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