Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, is located in the heart of the country. It is one of Africa's most energetic cities and a major diplomatic centre. It is the country's economic, transportation, and cultural heart. Since its establishment, Addis Ababa has played a significant role in influencing other African cities. It is famous for its fascinating blend of traditional markets, modern high-rise buildings, and historical landmarks like the Meskel Square, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the National Museum of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia conducts its census every ten years, with the previous one taking place in 2007. The next census is expected soon. According to the 2007 census, Addis Ababa had a population of 2,739,551. Compared to other cities in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is considered to be more diverse. According to the 2007 census, 47% of the population is Orthodox Christian, 16.7% is Muslim, and 13.5% is Protestant. The city of Addis Ababa is multilingual, with residents speaking over 80 languages, including Amharic, Oromo, Gurage, Tigrinya, and of course, English. Addis Ababa is home to the world's third-highest number of diplomatic missions, trailing only New York and Geneva.

Addis Ababa is governed by the Addis Ababa City Administration, which is divided into ten subcities. Each subcity is further divided into several districts or neighbourhoods. The city's administration is led by a Mayor, who has executive powers. The city council, which consists of 138 members, scrutinizes the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The city administration is responsible for strategic planning, policing, most aspects of transport, and economic development. The subcities are responsible for local services not overseen by the city administration, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads, and refuse collection.

Addis Ababa is a commercial hub and the economic powerhouse of Ethiopia. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a GDP of over 1.112 billion USD, which is about 7 percent of Ethiopia's total GDP. The economy of Addis Ababa is highly diversified, with activities ranging from trade, manufacturing, and real estate to banking, insurance, and transport services.

The Addis Ababa City Administration has been taking proactive steps with its draft Addis Ababa City Master Plan. It identifies a range of infrastructure priorities for the city, from new energy and water infrastructure to enhanced digital connectivity and new rail and road schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector. Business is particularly concerned at the lack of capacity in digital infrastructure, as the uptake of high-speed broadband by business is low compared to other world cities.