Addis Ababa's National Theatre has raised ticket prices and hall rental fees for the first time in years to combat declining audiences. The changes, implemented internally two months prior, were formally approved by the Council of Ministers on November 29, 2025. Entrance fees have increased from 80 birr to 200 birr.
The National Theatre serves as Addis Ababa's cultural and artistic landmark, operating for nearly seven decades. Facing declining audiences, the institution has undertaken a significant pricing adjustment to sustain its finances. This represents one of the major pricing shifts in its history.
The entrance fees have been raised from 80 birr to 200 birr, alongside increases in hall rental fees. These changes were implemented internally two months before receiving formal approval from the Council of Ministers on November 29, 2025.
As detailed in a December 13, 2025, report by Surafel Mulugeta for Addis Fortune, this bold initiative seeks to ensure the theatre's viability amid challenges confronting cultural venues.