Retail prices for bottled water in Addis Ababa have risen sharply over the past three months, with the smallest sizes seeing the biggest jumps.
The increases affect commuters and mobile workers who depend on small bottles for daily use. Bulk purchases no longer shield households from rising costs, turning bottled water into a larger regular expense.
The trend reflects wider market pressures in the city. Bottled water, previously seen mainly as a convenience, now serves as an indicator of these changes.
HELINA HADGU reported the details for Fortune on June 14, 2026.