Celebrating innovation & design in the heart of East Africa
Ten years of designers, artisans, technologists and entrepreneurs, on one collaborative platform.
The most anticipated design event in East Africa
Since launching in December 2015, Design Week Addis Ababa (DWAA) has brought together local and international designers, artists, artisans, workshops, galleries, showrooms, cultural institutions, hotels, companies and entrepreneurs through a distinctly collaborative platform for creative, cultural and commercial engagement.
We explore and celebrate the best innovations in:
- 01Architecture / Urban Planning
- 02Industrial Design / Interiors
- 03Technology
- 04Food & Gastronomy
- 05Fashion / Textiles
- 06Visual Communication
- 07Art / Multimedia
A week that takes over the city
DWAA partners with industry leaders at home and abroad to present the most innovative concepts, products and services in Ethiopia. Local businesses join as retail destinations, open studios and Design Market vendors, alongside student interns and volunteers.
Exhibitions & Open Studios
Studios, showrooms and galleries open their doors across the city.
Design Labs
Hands-on sessions pairing designers with makers, brands and problems worth solving.
Product Launches
A platform for Ethiopian brands to introduce new work to buyers and press.
Design Markets
Curated marketplaces where the public buys directly from designers and artisans.
Workshops & Hackathons
Knowledge exchange with local and international practitioners.
Cooking Demos
Food and gastronomy as design: chefs, ingredients and ritual on show.
Ten years in Addis
The launch
Pop-up exhibition at the Mosaic Hotel, Bole Medhanealem. Ethiopia’s first design week.
Going global
Presented at London Design Festival through the British Council’s Design Connections, and at Destination, Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week.
Across the city
A week of workshops, panels and exhibitions, January 14–21.
Development by design
Opening at the Hyatt Regency, with Tourism Ethiopia as strategic partner and an installation by Nairobi Design Week with NEON.
The comeback
Seven days, nine venues, an AR billboard by Bole Airport, closing with a picnic and Design Market.
Ten years
January 9–12 at Signature Residence, Bole. Creators Brunch and Design Market close out a decade.
Made possible by our partners & sponsors
- Signature Residence
- United Investments
- Chapa
- Yango Ethiopia
- Italian Trade Agency (ICE)
- Keste Damena
- Mugo Design Build
- Marathon Spirits
- Belgotex
- Porcelanosa
- NHY Ethiopia
- Habesha Networks
- USP Holdings
- Tourism Ethiopia
- British Council
- Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa
- Alliance Ethio-Française
- Global Shapers Addis Ababa
- Castel / Rift Valley Wine
- Heineken
- Kana Television & Studio
- Flawless Events
- Zeleman Productions
- LinkUp Addis
- Mosaic Hotel
Let’s talk design
Press, partnerships, archive requests or the next edition. Write to us.
designweekaa@gmail.com