Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Ethiopia uses 220V / 50Hz with Type C, E, F and L sockets. Bring a suitable adapter; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage. Power cuts can occur, so a power bank is useful.

The main operators are Ethio Telecom (state-owned, largest) and Safaricom Ethiopia (newer entrant). Prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport and operator shops, and registration requires your passport. 4G/LTE is good in Addis Ababa but can be patchy in rural areas.

eSIM support in Ethiopia is limited, so options may be fewer than in some countries. Check whether your device and a chosen travel eSIM cover Ethiopia before you rely on it; a local physical SIM is often the more reliable choice.

Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and airports in Addis Ababa, but speeds can be unstable. A local SIM with mobile data is often more reliable for getting online on the move. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks.

The internet is generally usable and common apps and services work, but access can be temporarily restricted or disrupted depending on circumstances. Download offline maps and keep key information saved in case of interruptions.

Handy apps include telebirr (Ethio Telecom mobile money, widely used), ride-hailing such as Ride and Feres in Addis Ababa, maps with offline downloads and translation. telebirr is popular for local payments, though cash is still common.

Ethiopia's country code is +251. App-based calls (WhatsApp and similar) are common where data allows, and a local SIM makes domestic calls affordable. Save numbers in full +251 format so they work from any network.