The city of Addis Ababa has been recognized as a gold winner in the first-ever Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety Speed Challenge, announced on August 27, 2025. This international competition honors cities worldwide that have successfully implemented speed management measures to reduce road crash injuries and fatalities.
Competing cities were tasked with adopting the World Health Organization’s recommended speed limits — under 50 kilometers per hour in urban areas and under 30 km/h in high-risk zones such as around schools and hospitals — while deploying strategies such as street redesign, enhanced enforcement, and public awareness campaigns. Addis Ababa stood out for its comprehensive approach, which included sustaining speed enforcement operations and installing more than 640 concrete and 1,500 rubber speed humps citywide, particularly in school zones.
Crucially, crash data from intervention sites in Addis Ababa show that these efforts have saved 37 lives, highlighting the significant impact of the city’s commitment to safer road use. The award comes with a $100,000 grant to support the city’s ongoing road safety work.
