· The Reporter
Ethiopia Overhauls Building Codes to Mandate Seismic Safety, Wind Standards
Topics:ConstructionLaw and policy
Summary of the The Reporter report
Ethiopia has revised its national building codes for the fourth time. The 2026 update makes seismic evaluation and retrofit rules mandatory, gives the first rules to assess existing buildings, replaces one national wind assumption with regional wind data and covers newer materials. Experts presented the changes at a civil engineers' convention in Addis Ababa.
Key points
- The 2026 update is the fourth major revision of Ethiopia's building codes, after 1983, 1995 and 2015.
- The revised CES 160 series makes seismic evaluation, retrofit of existing buildings and bridges, and geotechnical foundation design mandatory.
- The code replaces one national wind-load assumption with wind data mapped by region.
- The technical codes operate under Building Proclamation No. 1356/2024, which the Ethiopian Construction Authority enforces.
Real.et analysis
The Reporter reports that Ethiopia has updated its national building codes. The 2026 revision sets stricter earthquake rules, adds rules to assess older structures, uses regional wind data and covers newer construction materials. Experts gave the details at the 27th convention of the Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian Construction Authority, the Institute of Ethiopian Standards and Addis Ababa University led the work. The codes sit under Building Proclamation No. 1356/2024, which gives the authority the power to enforce them.
This is the fourth major revision of the codes. The earlier ones came in 1983, 1995 and 2015.
What changes
- Earthquakes. The revised guidelines, in the CES 160 series, make seismic evaluation, the retrofit of existing buildings and bridges, and geotechnical foundation design mandatory. They adapt parts of the European design standards to local conditions.
- Existing buildings. Earlier codes had no rules to assess older structures. A presenter said buildings from earlier periods, such as those in Addis Ababa from before the 1990s, were mostly designed without earthquake loads and now need reinforcement.
- Wind. One national wind assumption gives way to wind data mapped by region.
- Materials. The code gives rules for carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers and steel-fibre materials.
What this means for buyers
The age of a building now matters more. If you buy an older house or a flat in an older block, ask when it was built and who designed the structure. For a new project, ask the developer which code edition the structural design follows. A structural engineer can inspect a building before you pay.
What this means for builders
If you build your own house, your designer must follow the new rules for foundations, earthquake loads and local wind. This could change the amount of steel and concrete in the design, and so the cost. Get the structural design from a licensed professional before you ask for prices. The experts also said the plan for 1.5 million housing units needs tighter quality control and skilled labour.
Find firms in our contractors directory. Our guide to construction material prices in Ethiopia tracks input costs, and how to buy a house in Addis Ababa lists the checks to make before a purchase.