How To Call Ethiopia From USA: Updated For 2025
Quick Answer
To call Ethiopia from the United States:
- Landline:
011 + 251 + Area Code (2 digits) + Local Number (7 digits) - Mobile:
011 + 251 + Mobile Prefix (usually 91 or other 9X) + Subscriber Number (7 digits)
Examples:
- For an Addis Ababa landline (Area Code 11):
011 + 251 + 11 + XXX XXXX - For a Nazareth (Adama) landline (Area Code 22):
011 + 251 + 22 + XXX XXXX - For an Ethiopian mobile phone (e.g., prefix 91):
011 + 251 + 91 + XXX XXXX
Ethiopia is on East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3. This is generally 7-8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (ET), depending on whether the US is on Daylight Saving Time.
How to Dial Ethiopia from the US
How to Call a Landline in Ethiopia
To call an Ethiopian landline from the United States, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Ethiopia's country code: Next, key in
251. - Step 3 – Dial the Ethiopian Area Code: Ethiopian area codes are 2 digits (e.g.,
11for Addis Ababa,22for Nazareth/Adama). You do NOT dial the leading0sometimes seen in local Ethiopian numbers. - Step 4 – Dial the local phone number: Dial the 7-digit local number. The total number of digits after the country code (Area Code + Local Number) is 9.
For example:
- To call an Addis Ababa number that is locally
(0)11 XXX XXXX, you would dial:011 251 11 XXX XXXX - To call a Nazareth (Adama) number that is locally
(0)22 XXX XXXX, you would dial:011 251 22 XXX XXXX
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Ethiopia
Calling an Ethiopian mobile phone from the US involves these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Ethiopia's country code: Next, key in
251. - Step 3 – Dial the Ethiopian mobile prefix and number: Ethiopian mobile numbers start with a 2-digit prefix, most commonly
91(though other prefixes starting with9exist, like90, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97). This is followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. You do NOT dial the leading0sometimes seen in local Ethiopian mobile numbers (e.g.,091 XXX XXXX).
For example, if the Ethiopian mobile number is (0)91 XXX XXXX, you would dial: 011 251 91 XXX XXXX from the US.
Understanding Ethiopian Phone Numbers
Ethiopian phone numbers are structured with the country code +251. When dialing from abroad, the national trunk prefix 0 used within Ethiopia is dropped.
Landline Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 251 + Area Code (2 digits) + Local Number (7 digits) - The total length of the national significant number (Area Code + Local Number) is 9 digits.
Mobile Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 251 + Mobile Prefix (2 digits, e.g., 91) + Subscriber Number (7 digits) - The total length of the mobile number after +251 (Mobile Prefix + Subscriber Number) is 9 digits.
Ethiopian Area Codes (Fixed Lines)
This is a list of common area codes for landlines in Ethiopia. Remember to dial 011 + 251 before these codes, then the 7-digit local number. The leading 0 found in domestic dialing is dropped.
| Area/City/Region | Area Code (Dial after 251) | Local Number Format |
|---|---|---|
| Addis Ababa & Surrounds | 11 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Nazareth (Adama) / Southeast Region | 22 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Dessie / Assab / Northeast Region | 33 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Mekele / North Region | 34 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Dire Dawa / Eastern Region | 25 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Awassa / Shashamane / South Region | 46 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Jimma / Southwest Region | 47 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Nekempt (Gimbi) / Western Region (Ghedo) | 57 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
| Gonder / Bahir Dar / Northwest Region | 58 | XXX XXXX (7 digits) |
Note: This list is not exhaustive and area code assignments can change. For Addis Ababa, the 7-digit local number often starts with a specific digit (1-6) indicating a zone within the city.
Ethiopian Mobile Phone Prefixes
Ethiopian mobile numbers after the +251 country code are 9 digits long. They consist of a 2-digit prefix (usually starting with 9) followed by a 7-digit subscriber number.
| Operator (Ethio Telecom) | Common Mobile Prefixes (after 251) | Example Format (from USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Ethio Telecom | 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97 (91 is very common) | 011 251 9X XXX XXXX |
*Ethio Telecom is currently the sole mobile operator in Ethiopia. The prefix 91 is widely used, but other 9X prefixes are also in operation.
Time Difference
Ethiopia operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3. Ethiopia does not observe daylight saving time, so this offset is consistent throughout the year.
The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):
- During US Standard Time (EST, UTC-5): Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 8 PM EAT in Ethiopia).
- During US Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4): Ethiopia is 7 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 7 PM EAT in Ethiopia).
Always check the current local times before calling, especially during the periods when the US transitions to or from Daylight Saving Time.
Ethiopia's Phone System
Ethiopia's telecommunications sector is primarily managed by the state-owned Ethio telecom, which holds a monopoly on all telecommunication services, including fixed-line, mobile, and internet services. The country has been working on expanding and modernizing its infrastructure, with significant investments in fiber optic networks and mobile technology (GSM, 3G, 4G, and emerging 5G). The history of telecommunications in Ethiopia dates back to 1894. Despite being state-controlled, there have been efforts to improve service quality and coverage across the nation. Ethio telecom also offers mobile money services through "Telebirr," which has gained considerable adoption.
Best Times to Call
Considering the time difference (Ethiopia is 7-8 hours ahead of US ET):
- A good window for business calls from the US is typically morning ET (e.g., 9 AM - 11 AM ET).
- This corresponds to 4 PM - 6 PM EAT in Ethiopia if the US is on EDT (7-hour difference).
- This corresponds to 5 PM - 7 PM EAT in Ethiopia if the US is on EST (8-hour difference).
- Ethiopian business hours are generally Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM/9:00 AM to 5:00 PM/6:00 PM EAT, with a lunch break typically between 12 PM and 1 PM. Some businesses may also be open on Saturday mornings.
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- Dial the local access number provided with your card.
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- Dial the full international number for Ethiopia:
011 + 251 + Ethiopian Number(Area Code/Mobile Prefix + Local Number).
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