I grew up in the charming town of Merti-Methera, Ethiopia, a community founded by the Dutch agricultural conglomerate, HVA, Handelsvereniging Amsterdam. This Dutch agricultural firm had a long history of participation in large-scale farming in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia, focusing on the establishment of extensive sugar cane and industry.
The town, crafted by Dutch designers, showcases a distinctive European flair, adorned with exquisite gardens bursting with vibrant blooms, colourful trees, and ornamental plants celebrated for their breathtaking flowers and enchanting fragrances. The Climbing Lily, geraniums and petunias reign as a prominent floral emblem in Methera, a stunning and opulent bloom that captivates with its striking aesthetics and distinctive tropical growth habit.
This verdant flora has enhanced the region’s landscapes and gardens, significantly contributing to the mystical well-being and overall quality of life for Methera’s inhabitants. Despite efforts having been made to restore Merti’s former glory, the once beautiful and attractive city has now faded into history. An influx of people overwhelmed the city’s resources, infrastructure and services. There has also been a lack of care and maintenance, leading to further weakening. Ultimately, it depicts a city that has diminished in vitality and charm as a result of these challenges
Being raised and growing up in this charming small city and continuing my work in Ethiopia’s floriculture sector brings me a profound sense of tranquillity. Surrounded by lush vegetation and vibrant flowers, I find myself with a heightened sense of good faith and peacefulness in this verdant, challenging environment, which serves as a sanctuary from stress.,
Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of traveling extensively across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. During these journeys, I noted intriguing parallels between my hometown of Methera and various European towns in their landscaping, how communities come together to care, share and celebrate flowers and green spaces.
Upon my return to my hometown, I was struck by the harmonious blend of urban infrastructure and ornamental flora. The abundance of flower shops and markets reflects a modern cultural trend that not only elevates community spirit but also nurtures connections, alleviates stress, and enriches the overall environment.
Today, a thought spontaneously crossed my mind: Ethiopia stands out as a prominent supplier of flowers to Europe and the Middle East, offering a remarkable variety of exquisite blooms, ranging from roses to summer flowers, ornamental cuttings, and potted plants.
With an impressive average daily export of 274 tons, the nation’s annual flower production reaches 100,000 tons. Many believe that this flourishing flower industry fosters a sense of value and connection to nature among urban residents in Europe, ultimately enhancing their self-esteem.
If this is indeed the case, why shouldn’t the people of Addis Ababa and its residents enjoy the same enriching benefits?”.Certainly, a delicate balance often exists between export demands and home consumption. Critics argue that this tug-of-war arises as the government prioritizes increasing export volumes while navigating the needs of the home market.
On the other hand, the middle class in the main town of Ethiopia is expanding at an extraordinary pace, increasing demand and purchasing power, and reshaping the country’s business and commercial landscape.
The capital city of Ethiopia is home to 134 embassies from different countries, 28 UN agency offices, and 2,953 civil society organizations.
This trend, along with the presence of different institutions with diverse cultures, is believed to generate a substantial demand for flowers to beautify office spaces and meeting halls, and to present flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, and holidays such as New Year, Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and Valentine’s Day, etc.
According to a survey conducted by the Addis Ababa City Administration Revenue Bureau, there are an estimated 903 flower retail shops in Addis Ababa, primarily located in Bole, Yeka, Kirkos, Kolefa, Akaki-Kaliti, Nefas Silk, Addis Ketema, and Lideta. Most of the flowers sold at these shops are sourced from the flower-growing clusters in Ethiopia’s highland and midland regions.
Unfortunately, these flowers often fail to meet export standards and are known for their poor quality, including flaccid stems, faded colors, weak leaves, and poorly formed blooms. The average selling price of flowers in Addis Ababa varies considerably based on location, flower type, color, and season. A recent survey, in September 2025, found that the average price for a mixed flower bouquet ranges between 59 USD (8,000 Birr) and 259 USD (35,000 Birr).
Although flower shops hold significant importance, the current traditional and obsolete flower shops do not align with the progress of the innovative smart city’s infrastructure. The number of flower gift shops and florists in the city is still relatively low, and their facilities are outdated and poor.
Furthermore, both logistics providers and flower gift shops frequently lack the necessary cold chain facilities for transporting and temporarily storing the flowers. Despite digital advancements, critics argue that the absence of aesthetic features, like flower shops, makes Addis Ababa city feel incomplete or less inviting, implying the importance of balancing modernity with elements that enhance the quality of life and community spirit.
The significance of both formal and informal education in the floristry industry has largely been overlooked. There is a notable lack of training in areas such as flower arrangement style, design technique, developing personal style, the art of combining flowers and plants, nature-inspired makeup, and floral shaping. Typically, no courses are available through colleges, private or public post-secondary vocational schools, and professional associations.
Today, the corridor development project in Ethiopia is reshaping Addis Ababa and other cities into a vital commercial hub, generating new economic opportunities. It has led to enhanced infrastructure, expanded recreational areas, improved connectivity, increased business competitiveness, and laid the groundwork for a better quality of life. Many now hold the view that Addis Ababa is transforming into a vibrant and dynamic global city. This transformation is marked by the establishment of smart infrastructure aimed at promoting a strong economy and positioning the city as a tourism hub, reflecting a modern vision inspired by other major cities worldwide.
In this context, the thriving is currently at a crucial point of its growth. The emergence of retail flower shops is anticipated to significantly impact the city’s aesthetic evolution. In line with this progress, the government of Ethiopia Investment Board introduced Directive 1001/2024 in March 2024, permitting engagement in business sectors that were previously off-limits in Ethiopia. Under this directive, foreign investors are now able to participate in trading activities, including the flower wholesale and retail business.
The entry of investors into the flower retail and wholesale business is believed to bring a significant change in the aesthetic value of Addis Ababa and improve the quality of urban residents.
Additionally, some foreign investors in Ethiopia are attempting to establish a florist university and college in the main town of Ethiopia. The college aims to offer courses in floral design, training in floral arrangement, plant care, and business skills necessary for running a florist shop.
Addis Ababa has recently garnered significant attention, both from within Ethiopia and abroad, with more than a dozen people already visiting to explore development and business opportunities.The increased interest can be attributed to a growing focus on commercial activities. Addis Ababa has become a testing ground for various initiatives, such as hanging flower decorations, hillside forest preservation, sidewalk flower planting, public ground river cleaning efforts, and installation of hanging flower decorations, cleaning the city’s rivers.
Hanging flower decorations along Addis Ababa’s Bole, Kasanchis, and Megenagn main roads are now becoming a new phenomenon. Proponents of smart cities argue that one of the key benefits associated with hanging flower decorations in city centers is the ability to transform gray and monotonous urban spaces into more attractive towns. Concrete buildings, sidewalks, and roads often feel cold and impersonal, but by adding colorful, vibrant flowers, the scene of the city has now been completely changed, giving it a more pleasant feel. It’s also a great way to bring ornamental plants into city centers, which have a wonderful effect on the health of residents. Urban greenery, such as hanging floral decorations, plants in pots, and flower meadows, has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of residents, helping to improve the quality of life in the city.
Down the line, the symbolic significance of flowers will continue to permeate the realms of Addis Ababa’s magnetic field. Floral patterns inspired by hibiscus and bougainvillea are expected to flourish, embodying the beauty and resilience of the nation. These blossoms will become increasingly central to the branding of Ethiopian tourism, with their vibrant hues capturing the allure and tropical essence of the country.
Mekonnen Solomon is the Horticulture Export Coordinator at the Ministry of Ethiopian Agriculture