Which African country has Addis Ababa as its capital?

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Which African country has Addis Ababa as its capital? Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, located in the country’s central highlands.

The city was founded in the late 19th century by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul. Taytu is traditionally associated with choosing the site near hot mineral springs, while Menelik established an imperial palace there. Addis Ababa became the capital of the Ethiopian Empire in 1889.

At an elevation of roughly 2,355 meters, Addis Ababa is one of the world’s highest national capitals. Its highland setting gives it a cooler climate than many other cities near the equator. The city is also a major diplomatic center, hosting the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

A common mix-up is Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, or Asmara, the capital of neighboring Eritrea. Addis Ababa belongs to Ethiopia and is often called a political capital of Africa because of its continental institutions.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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