Mekelle, Ethiopia - Millennium Cities Initiative - Columbia University

Introduction to Mekelle
The Mekelle region is currently one of the
most attractive investment destinations in
Ethiopia, driven by a highly supportive regional
government, abundant untapped natural
resources and good access to export markets.
Tigray State is the northernmost of the
nine ethnic regions (Kililoch) of Ethiopia,
with a population of 4.5 million in 2008.
Eighty percent of the population is rural
and 20 percent is urban.
Mekelle is the sixth largest city in Ethiopia
and the capital of Tigray State. It is located
approximately 780 km from the capital,
Addis Ababa, in the Ethiopian highlands.
The Mekelle region enjoys a mild highland
climate with an average temperature of
25°C. The rainy season in the Mekelle
region is from June to September,
while the dry season is from October
to May. The average annual rainfall is
approximately 579mm.
The total population in the city of Mekelle
was estimated at 215,546 in 2008.
The annual population growth rate is
approximately 2.6 percent.
Location of Mekelle
Tigray
Ethiopia
Source: Millennium Cities Initiative Report, 2009
Mekelle, Ethiopia: Potential Opportunities for Investment 17
Mekelle
Mekelle region: 100 km around Mekelle
Addis Abada
© 2010 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG
International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG
International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.