Lideta is a sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, covering 9.18 km² in the central-west of the capital. It counted 201,713 residents at the 2007 census, projected to 284,208 for 2022 by the Ethiopian Statistics Service. It is the second-smallest sub-city by area and one of the densest, at roughly 22,000 people per km² on the census count.
Lideta borders five sub-cities: Addis Ketema, Arada, Kirkos, Nifas Silk-Lafto and Kolfe Keranio.
Neighborhoods & Areas
- Abnet
- Agusta
- Berbere Berenda
- Coca
- Darmar
- Geja Sefer
- Golla Mikael
- Goma Kuteba
- Jos Hansen
- Ketena Hulet
- Little Texas
- Mechare Meda
- Mobil
- Molla Maru
- Sengatera
- Tekle Haymanot
- Tor Hayloch
Several of these names come from businesses that once stood on the spot — Mobil from a filling station, Coca from a bottling plant, Jos Hansen from a German trading firm. The habit is normal in Addis Ababa: landmarks name the quarter, and the name outlives the landmark.
Districts
Lideta is divided into 10 woredas, numbered 1 to 10, according to the Addis Ababa Civil Registration and Residency Service Agency.
Landmarks & Institutions
The Lideta Le Mariam Church gives the sub-city its name and is one of the larger Ethiopian Orthodox churches in the capital. Berbere Berenda is the spice market, the main wholesale source of berbere and other ground spice mixes for the city.
The National Archives and Library of Ethiopia stands in Lideta, holding the country’s legal deposit collection and government records. The Lideta Catholic Cathedral School is one of the older mission schools in Addis Ababa.
The former Lideta army airfield occupied a large block in the sub-city for decades. Its closure released one of the biggest single pieces of central land in Addis Ababa, and the site has been the subject of successive redevelopment plans.
Population
The 2007 census recorded 201,713 people in Lideta. The 2022 figure of 284,208 is an Ethiopian Statistics Service projection rather than a count, since Ethiopia has held no census since 2007. Amharic is the everyday language. Housing is a mix of old inner-city kebele rental stock and newer condominium blocks, with clearance and rebuilding ongoing across several woredas.
Getting Around
Lideta is well served by light rail. The Green Line’s western terminus is at Torhailoch, inside the sub-city, and the Blue Line passes through Lideta on its way from Merkato south toward Kaliti. The Green Line opened on 9 November 2015 and runs 17.4 km east to Ayat.
Tekle Haymanot and Mechare Meda are the main minibus taxi interchanges. The Ring Road crosses the southern part of the sub-city. Bole International Airport is about 10 km to the south-east.
FAQ
Where is Lideta?
Lideta is in central-western Addis Ababa, south of Addis Ketema and west of Kirkos. It covers 9.18 km².
How many woredas does Lideta have?
Ten, numbered 1 to 10.
What is the population of Lideta?
201,713 at the 2007 census; 284,208 in the 2022 official projection.
What is Berbere Berenda?
Berbere Berenda is Lideta’s spice market, the main wholesale source of berbere and other spice blends in Addis Ababa.
Does the light rail serve Lideta?
Yes. The Green Line terminates at Torhailoch in Lideta, and the Blue Line runs through the sub-city between Merkato and the city centre.
Where is the National Archives of Ethiopia?
The National Archives and Library of Ethiopia is in Lideta sub-city.