• EEP Towers or Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) Towers will be the headquarters of the utility and possibly East Africa’s tallest building. 
  • Construction of EEP Towers estimated to cost $445 million.
  • Currently, at 1,292 feet, Iconic Tower in Egypt is the tallest structure in Africa.

Ethiopia is constructing what will become the tallest structure across East Africa and possibly the entire Sub-Sahara. The project will serve as the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) headquarters and will bare the same name, reports Gabriel Cruz for Rude Baguette, a leading media house in the UAE.

“Plans to construct the tallest tower in sub-Saharan Africa have been reignited in Ethiopia, promising to transform Addis Ababa’s skyline and invigorate the region’s economic landscape,” the author wrote in his piece “They’re Building a Skyscraper in the Sky.”

According to the report, the structure will consume to the tune of USD$445 million and stand 1,074 feet tall, almost twice as tall as the current tallest building, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, earning it the title of the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa.

By comparison, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, also the headquarters of the bank, is 678-feet tall and was built at a cost of $303.5 million. The CBE headquarters, currently the tallest skyscraper in East Africa and the third tallest in Africa, took 5 years and 11 months to complete, according to the CBE President Abie Sano.

Upon completion of the EEP; “The bustling city of Addis Ababa is set to become home to sub-Saharan Africa’s tallest tower, marking a significant milestone in the region’s architectural and economic landscape,” Cruz said.

The project was conceived in 2023 but ran it hurdles last year and was stopped indefinitely, but after the short pause, plans are back on the table. “Following a year-long pause, the ambitious plan to construct the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) headquarters is back on track, promising to transform the city’s skyline,” Cruz goes on to explain.

According to Cruz’s report, the Ethiopian Electric Power headquarters was designed to be a landmark in Addis Ababa’s financial district, however, shortly after breaking ground in 2024, the project faced unforeseen hurdles, primarily related to funding and planning.

“The issues (funding and planning) led to a temporary halt in construction, causing uncertainty about the project’s future,” Cruz wrote.

After officials managed to iron out the project’s creases, now the construction plans are revived and an international prequalification process to attract experienced contractors is underway.

Ethiopian officials have selected the construction site of the EEP to be located in Mexico Square and span over five acres. “This project is a testament to Ethiopia’s commitment to urban development and modernization,” Criliz comments in his report.

True to his comments, the EEP (Ethiopian Electric Power) headquarters will indeed become a symbol of modern engineering and sustainable design.

The building will boast an impressive 62 stories towering over the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia that currently still holds the title of the tallest building in East Africa.

The EEP building will have a total floor area of approximately 2.1 million square feet and it’s design includes three basement levels set aside for parking, while the upper floors will house EEP offices, sky gardens, and a rooftop restaurant that will command a 360 degrees breathtaking view of the city.

Now that the project is back in the works, and construction expected to resume this year, the EEP is slated for completion by 2030. “This timeline requires the bulk of the structure to be finished within the next four years, a challenging yet achievable goal given the project’s renewed momentum,” Cruz reasons.

“As construction progresses, the tower will undoubtedly become a focal point of Addis Ababa, attracting attention from around the world and solidifying Ethiopia’s position on the global stage,” he summed up.

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EEP design and constructors

Construction and designing of the EEP is under Dar Al-Handasah, a renowned international consulting company that is based in Lebanon, is in charge of the design and construction supervision for the EEP. According to sector experts, the firm brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the project, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of architectural excellence.

It was no walk in the park for Dar Al-Handasah to secure the contract. Reports show that the project’s criteria for potential contractors are stringent, requiring an average annual revenue of at least USD$230 million over the past five years and a proven track record in large-scale commercial construction among other requirements.

“As the world increasingly moves toward sustainable development, the EEP headquarters aims to lead by example with its eco-friendly design,” says Behailu Tadele, the EEP Project Manager.

“In this project we emphasize the importance of energy-efficient features and the integration of green spaces,” he told media.

Tadele says the building is designed to minimize its environmental impact but enhance occupant well-being, which makes it a model for sustainable architecture in Africa, he claims.

According to Tadele, a comprehensive topography survey has been conducted to ensure the building seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape.

“By prioritizing sustainability, the EEP headquarters not only contributes to environmental conservation but also aligns with Ethiopia’s broader goals of sustainable urban development,” he said.

EEP Towers competition: Other skyscrapers in Africa

Currently, it is the Iconic Tower in Egypt towering a stunning total structural height of almost 400 metres (1,292 feet), that makes it both the tallest building and the tallest structure in Africa.

According to Business Insider Africa, the building  has 77 floors, mostly for office use, and is only one of 20 towers being built as part of the central business district in Egypt’s new capital city.

Second to the Iconic Tower is Djamaa El Djazair, the Great Mosque of Algiers which ranks as the third-largest mosque in the world and the tallest in Africa. It is located on Algeria’s Mediterranean coast and features a prayer hall that spans an area of 22,000 m2 (240,000 sq ft) and is capable of accommodating 120,000 worshippers.

Next in line is the Mohammed VI Tower, a 55-storey, 250-metre (820 ft) skyscraper in the city of Salé,  Morocco. This is the tallest building in Morocco and the third tallest in Africa. The project is the brainchild of Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun.

From Morocco we go to South Africa to find The Leonardo,  the tallest building in South Africa, located in Johannesburg’s Sandton district. The skyscraper includes luxury apartments, offices, a hotel, and boasts the title of ‘a symbol of modern African architecture.’