Addis Ababa Issues New Directive to Regulate Government Office Rentals
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The Addis Ababa City Administration has introduced Directive No. 192/2026 to overhaul how government institutions lease, manage and procure office space across the capital.
The Addis Ababa City Administration has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework to overhaul how government institutions lease, manage and procure office space across the capital, outlined in Directive No. 192/2026 on Public Buildings Development, Standards and Administration issued by the Public Property Administration Authority.
The new rules aim to curb arbitrary pricing, enforce public accountability and establish uniform building standards. Under the directive, the Authority is legally mandated to conduct annual rental market studies assessing current market rates, government financial capacity and occupancy data to guide all future office procurements.
Any lease adjustments will now follow a formal evaluation process. Landlords seeking rate increases must submit formal requests to the tenant institution, which are reviewed against local market conditions before recommendations are forwarded to the Finance Bureau, while institutions wishing to renew existing contracts must also follow the process.
The directive sets strict baseline requirements for all properties leased by the government. Properties must have approved architectural designs, completed construction and valid holding licences, and must provide reliable ICT infrastructure, continuous electricity and water supply and backup generators, along with adequate parking, public transport access, clearly marked emergency exits and accessibility features such as ramps. Buildings permanently purchased by government institutions must meet the same standards and additionally provide quality construction materials, outdoor space and direct connectivity to a main road.
The directive also outlines the responsibilities of landlords and tenant institutions to minimise disputes over building maintenance and usage. Government institutions are required to protect the rented properties, accurately report their space needs and cover the cost of interior partitioning modifications subject to the landlord’s consent.
Landlords, in turn, are responsible for repairing structural damage and building defects affecting the tenant’s property, must cooperate with space audits, and cannot conduct routine building inspections more than twice within a six-month period.