Comparative Study: Urban Life

in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and

Djibouti

By
Dhurgesh M
C.A.I.E. 6A
 Contents
 Introduction
 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 Introduction
 Daily Life Case Study
 Homes and Families
 Schools
 Transportation
 Markets
 Djibouti
 Introduction
 Transportation Hub Case Study
 Port of Djibouti
 International Relations
 Transport Infrastructure
 Comparison
 Homes and Families
 Schools
 Transportation
 Markets
 Conclusion
 Acknowledgment
 References
 Introduction
This document compares and contrasts the daily life and
transportation systems of two cities in the Horn of Africa: Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia and Djibouti, Djibouti. Both cities are important
political, economic and cultural centres in their respective countries
and regions. They also face different challenges and opportunities
related to their geographic and demographic features. The document
will explore how people live, work, learn, and move in these two
cities, and how they are connected to the rest of the world.
 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Introduction
Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, a country in
East Africa. It is also the seat of the African Union and the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The city has a population of
about 4.8 million people, and is located at an elevation of 2,355
meters above sea level. It has a subtropical highland climate, with
warm days and cool nights. The city is known for its cultural diversity,
historical landmarks, and vibrant nightlife .
 Daily Life Case Study
Homes and Families
Many people in Addis Ababa live in homes made of local materials,
such as mud, wood, and corrugated iron. Some of these homes are
located in informal settlements, or slums, where access to basic
services such as water, electricity, and sanitation is limited. Others
live in more modern apartments or villas, especially in the central
and northern parts of the city. Families often have close-knit
communities and share traditional meals, such as injera, a flatbread
made from teff flour, and wat, a spicy stew of meat and vegetables.

Schools
Children go to schools to learn and play. Education is essential for
their future, and many children wear colourful uniforms. The official
languages of instruction are Amharic and English, but other
languages, such as Oromo and Tigrinya, are also spoken. The school
year runs from September to July, and consists of two semesters and
three terms. The curriculum covers subjects such as mathematics,
science, social studies, languages, arts, and physical education. Some
schools also offer extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and
clubs.
 Transportation
People use different modes of transportation, including buses, taxis,
and even donkeys in some areas. The city has a public bus system,
called Anbessa, which operates on various routes and charges a flat
fare of 2 birr (about 0.05 USD). There are also minibuses, or blue
donkeys, which are privately owned and can carry up to 12
passengers. They are more flexible and faster than buses, but also
more expensive and crowded. Taxis are another option, but they are
usually reserved for longer trips or special occasions. They can be
either metered or negotiated, and can be yellow, green, or white.
Donkeys are also used for transporting goods and people, especially
in the rural outskirts of the city.

Markets
Local markets are vibrant, with stalls selling fruits, vegetables, and
handmade crafts. Families often visit markets to buy what they need,
and to socialize with other people. One of the most famous markets
in the city is the Merkato, which is the largest open-air market in
Africa. It covers several square kilometres and sells everything from
spices and clothes to electronics and furniture. It is also a place
where people can find informal jobs, such as porters, vendors, or
guides.
 Djibouti
Introduction
Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, known for its
strategic location near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is
bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia, and has a population of
about 1 million people. The capital and largest city is also called
Djibouti, and is home to about 60% of the country’s population. The
city has a hot and arid climate, with average temperatures ranging
from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius. The city is a major port and trade hub,
as well as a host to several foreign military bases.
 Transportation Hub Case Study
Port of Djibouti
Djibouti has a busy port that serves as a gateway for goods coming in
and out of the region. It is essential for international trade, especially
for landlocked Ethiopia, which relies on the port for about 95% of its
imports and exports. The port handles various types of cargo, such as
containers, bulk, and livestock. It also provides services such as
transshipment, warehousing, and logistics. The port is constantly
expanding and upgrading, with new terminals and facilities being
built to accommodate the growing demand.

International Relations
Djibouti’s strategic location has led to the presence of military bases
from various countries, contributing to international relations. The
city hosts the largest US military base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier,
which supports operations in the Middle East and Africa. It also hosts
bases from France, Italy, Japan, and China, as well as the European
Union Naval Force. These bases provide security and stability in the
region, as well as economic benefits for the country. They also create
challenges, such as environmental and social impacts, and potential
conflicts of interest.
 Transport Infrastructure
Djibouti has invested in transportation infrastructure, including roads
and railways, to connect with neighbouring countries and improve its
competitiveness. One of the most significant projects is the Addis
Ababa-Djibouti Railway, which was completed in 2018. It is a
standard gauge electrified railway that links the two capitals, and
reduces the travel time from three days to 12 hours. It also reduces
the cost and carbon emissions of transporting goods and people. The
railway is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a global development
strategy led by China.
 Comparison
Homes and Families
Both cities have diverse and dynamic populations, with different
ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds. However, they also have
different levels of development and living standards. Addis Ababa has
a higher population density and a lower human development index
than Djibouti. It also has more informal settlements and slums,
where people lack access to basic services and amenities. Djibouti
has a higher GDP per capita and a higher urbanization rate than Addis
Ababa. It also has more modern and spacious housing, but also more
expensive and less affordable.

Schools
Both cities have similar education systems, with primary, secondary,
and tertiary levels. However, they also have different challenges and
opportunities related to education. Addis Ababa has a higher literacy
rate and a higher enrolment rate than Djibouti. It also has more
schools and teachers, but also more students and larger class sizes.
Djibouti has a lower literacy rate and a lower enrolment rate than
Addis Ababa. It also has fewer schools and teachers, but also smaller
class sizes and more resources.
 Transportation
Both cities have various modes of transportation, such as buses,
taxis, and donkeys. However, they also have different transportation
needs and preferences. Addis Ababa has a larger and more diverse
transportation network than Djibouti. It also has more public and
private options, but also more traffic and congestion. Djibouti has a
smaller and more limited transportation network than Addis Ababa.
It also has fewer public and private options, but also less traffic and
congestion.

Markets
Both cities have vibrant and colourful markets, where people can buy
and sell goods and services. However, they also have different market
sizes and structures. Addis Ababa has a larger and more diverse
market than Djibouti. It also has more local and informal products,
but also more competition and regulation. Djibouti has a smaller and
more specialized market than Addis Ababa. It also has more foreign
and formal products, but also more deepen dense and vulnerability.
 Conclusion
This document has compared and contrasted the daily life and
transportation systems of two cities in the Horn of Africa: Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia and Djibouti, Djibouti. It has shown that both cities
have similarities and differences in various aspects, such as homes
and families, schools, transportation, and markets. It has also shown
that both cities face challenges and opportunities related to their
geographic and demographic features. The document has aimed to
provide a comprehensive and balanced overview of the two cities,
and to highlight their unique and shared characteristics.
 Acknowledgment
I would like to thank my instructor, Mr. Allan Bhaju, for his guidance
and feedback throughout this project. I would also like to thank my
classmates, who have shared their insights and perspectives on the
topic.
 Reference
 Worlddata.info
 Livingcost.org
 Global Infrastructure Hub.com
 Wikipedia
 Byju’s.com
Thank you