More than a dozen bookstores along Gambia Street in Addis Ababa face eviction after a local meeting. These vendors, operating for over 20 years behind the National Theatre, rely on daily book sales for their livelihoods. The sudden order has left the community of booksellers uncertain about their future.
A community of booksellers operating along Gambia Street, behind the Ethiopian National Theatre, has been jolted by a sudden eviction order. More than a dozen humble container shops, which have served as an anchor for book lovers for over 20 years, were told to prepare for evacuation following a Wereda meeting on October 18, 2025.
These bookstores are often run by owners whose livelihoods depend entirely on daily sales, which can vary from dozens of books to none. The edict, issued in this cultural landmark district, has stirred concern among the vendors who have long shadowed the National Theatre.
The announcement came just days before the article's publication on October 26, 2025, by Surafel Mulugeta, a staff writer for Addis Fortune. While the reasons for the eviction were not detailed in the reports, it threatens a longstanding hub for literature enthusiasts in the heart of Addis Ababa.
No alternative locations or relocation plans have been mentioned, leaving the booksellers adrift in an area known for its cultural significance.