Dire Dawa is Ethiopia’s second-largest city and the only chartered city apart from the capital, Addis Ababa. Encompassing an area of 1,288 km², it has a population of approximately 500,000. As an industrial hub in Ethiopia, the city owns the Dire Dawa International Airport and five major markets including the bustling Kafira Market, complemented by two urban medical centers, two health stations, and ten higher education institutions such as Dire Dawa University. It is rising as a national center for industry and trade with support from the Ethiopian government.

Located at the midpoint of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway line, Dire Dawa is a pivot in the economic corridor along the railway, with over 60% of the city’s land falling within the bounds of this planned corridor. As Ethiopia’s earliest industrial base, Dire Dawa possesses a robust footing in industries such as textiles, cement and other construction materials, and food production, significantly contributing to the country’s industrial development. Furthermore, Dire Dawa has been at the forefront in service sectors such as transportation, trade, and information technology within Ethiopia.

In September 2018, Kunshan set up its friendly-exchange relationship with Dire Dawa.