Building Ethiopia’s first integrated city – Dawit Gessese’s journey as leader and change agent

When alum Dawit Beza Gessese completed his studies at the Australian National University (AASC, Grid Integration of Renewable Energy, 2023), he carried with him more than technical expertise. He carried a vision – one shaped by sustainable design principles, evidence‑based planning, and a commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people. Today, that vision sits at the heart of one of the largest and most ambitious developments in Ethiopia’s history: the Mohamedeya Village Mega Project, a transformative urban initiative valued at 120 billion Ethiopian Birr (AUD1.2 billion). The project was launched in September 2022 and is anticipated to be completed between 2027 and 2029.

Ethiopia’s urban landscape is expanding at breathtaking speed. Cities like Addis Ababa face immense pressure from population growth, housing shortages, infrastructure constraints, energy challenges and the increasing impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and flooding are affecting construction timelines, material durability, and urban safety. Working at the intersection of these challenges, Dawit has seen first-hand the urgency for modern, resilient and sustainable construction practices.

As resident engineer and supervisor of BAAU Design PLC (a member of the Temer Real Estate Group) and as part of the MIDROC Construction Ethiopia team, Dawit has been involved in the Mohamedeya Village Project from its earliest days. He first joined the project as a Senior Construction Engineer, helping to lay the foundations of what will become Ethiopia’s first fully integrated, self‑sustaining city development. His technical strengths, leadership, and problem‑solving skills soon earned him a new role as Materials Engineer, overseeing the quality, performance, and sustainability of the materials used in this massive undertaking.

Alongside his engineering responsibilities, Dawit serves as the project’s Kaizen Focal Person, promoting continuous improvement across the construction site. Kaizen is an approach to creating continuous improvement based on the idea that small, ongoing positive changes can reap significant improvements.

Through process mapping, daily coordination meetings, and small, targeted improvements, he has helped introduce more efficient workflows, reduce material waste, and strengthen safety performance.  Developing new technologies and products that allow the business to reduce cost and optimise resources is one of Dawit’s challenging responsibilities. Under his guidance productivity increased by roughly 15%; material defects and rework dropped by 18%; safety incidents reduced by around 20% and more than 50 practical Kaizen ideas were implemented in the first year. These achievements, he notes, are the result of empowering people.

“Real change comes from small, consistent improvements. When workers feel their ideas matter, they take ownership of the project. My studies helped me understand how to design for resilience, lead diverse teams, and ensure that projects align with national development priorities. This project is unlike anything Ethiopia has attempted before. Being part of its journey from the very beginning is something I am truly proud of,” he reflects.

Engineering for a rapidly changing nation

Dawit’s Australia Awards and engineering training equipped him to meet these challenges head-on. Skills in climate-responsive design, project management, energy planning and environmental assessment now shape his daily work on site.

The Mohamedeya Village Mega Project is expected to house more than 25,000 residents across      5 000 planned residential units and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It integrates schools, healthcare facilities, green spaces, commercial hubs, and modern utilities into a single, thoughtfully designed urban environment. For Dawit, the significance goes beyond numbers: “Every engineering decision affects the people who will one day live here. Quality and safety are not just technical requirements – they are responsibilities to future families,” he says.

The project was initiated by the renowned Ethiopian investor Sheikh Mohammed Hussien Ali Alamoudi, whose vision has played a critical role in shaping its scale and impact. Due to its strategic importance to national development, Mohamedeya Village is closely monitored by Government. Upon completion, the project will set a new benchmark for urban planning, construction standards, and sustainable city development in Ethiopia.

To respond to rapid urbanisation, Ethiopia has an opportunity to strengthen integrated urban planning that aligns housing, transport, utilities, and public services. The use of GIS, smart city concepts, and mixed-use developments can help cities grow in a more organized, inclusive, and efficient way, reducing informal settlements and infrastructure pressure. Ethiopia can mainstream climate-resilient design by promoting green building standards, flood-resistant infrastructure, and sustainable materials. This includes adopting energy-efficient designs, improved drainage systems, and climate-adaptive urban layouts to reduce risks from extreme weather and climate change.

Strengthening community impact

Although Dawit works on one of the country’s biggest infrastructure initiatives, his commitment to community development is equally strong. Through the Australia Awards alumni network, he collaborates with Dr. Aster Teshome Woldekiros and Techawach Zeleke to support the Center for Adolescent Girls’ Health (CAGH), a charitable organisation serving vulnerable young girls. The Center was officially launched in June 2023.

The CAGH project was initiated by former Australian Ambassador, HE Ms Julia Niblett, following a competition amongst alumni resulting in the allocation of funds with AUD3,000 in support of  the establishment and improvement of services of CAGH. Dawit provides engineering supervision and technical guidance to ensure the centre’s facilities are safe, functional and supportive of girls’ well-being and helped secure the funding from the Embassy, together with his alumni colleagues.

The Center addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by adolescent girls, including access to health services, education, psycho-social support, and life-skills development. Through its programs, the organisation empowers girls to make informed decisions about their health, build confidence, and pursue their education with dignity and safety.

Looking back and ahead

Looking back, Dawit credits Australia Awards not only for technical knowledge, but for strengthening the values that guide his leadership – integrity, accountability, inclusion and a commitment to service.

“One of the key challenges I encountered was managing large-scale construction development while ensuring environmental sustainability and community resilience. Through my studies, I gained a strong understanding of climate adaptation strategies, environmental impact assessment, and sustainable design principles. These skills allowed me to contribute to projects that integrate green infrastructure, efficient energy use, and climate-resilient construction methods, helping to reduce environmental risks while improving long-term urban functionality. Another major challenge was the coordination of multi-sector stakeholders in complex development projects”, he adds.

According to Dawit the leadership, communication, and governance skills he developed through Australia Awards enabled him to work more effectively with government institutions, private developers, consultants, and community representatives. This improved project alignment with national development policies and enhanced decision-making processes.

For Dawit, the Mohamedeya Village project is more than an assignment – it is a legacy. It represents the kind of future he envisions for Ethiopia: modern, resilient, inclusive and designed with long-term sustainability in mind.

“As engineers and leaders, we have a responsibility to build cities that can serve generations,” he says. “I am grateful that the Australia Awards helped prepare me for this responsibility.”

The official launch ceremony of the Center for Adolescent Girls Health the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aster Teshome Woldekiros, (middle front, fourth from left) the founder and Managing Director of the Center for Adolescent Girls’ Health. Alexander Green, Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy, stands next to Dr. Aster.