How to Make International Call to Ethiopia
Why Use HelloAirDial to Call Ethiopia?
HelloAirDial lets you call Ethiopia directly from your browser - no apps, no calling cards, no SIM card required. Calling Ethiopia can be costly and less stable on some routes, so you need a service that controls rates and handles weaker local networks.
- Call Ethiopia from any browser, no SIM, local contract, or calling card needed.
- Transparent per minute pricing to Ethiopian mobiles and landlines before you dial.
- Reliable routing to Ethiopian networks to reduce drops and audio issues.
- Keep your caller ID where supported so contacts recognize your number.
- Sign up and start placing international calls to Ethiopia within minutes.
Make a free 1-minute call - no credit card required
Try Free CallHelloAirDial Call Rates to Ethiopia
Rates starting from
$0.95/min
1 minute call = $0.95
Country Code
+251
Browser-Based • No App
About Calling Ethiopia
Calling Ethiopia is straightforward with HelloAirDial. Open your browser, enter the number, and connect - no apps or special equipment needed. Your first call is free so you can try the service before adding any balance.
To place international calls to Ethiopia, dial your exit code, then 251, then the city or mobile code and local number, dropping any leading 0. HelloAirDial gives cheap calls to mobiles and landlines from your browser with clear per minute pricing.
Use HelloAirDial to call Ethiopia without SIM cards or calling cards, keep your caller ID where supported, and start calling in minutes. This is how to call Ethiopia reliably while avoiding surprise roaming or long distance fees.
💼 Business
- Coordinate with NGOs, government offices, and suppliers in Addis Ababa.
- Manage sourcing, logistics, and project teams across Ethiopian regions.
🏦 Banking
- Verify transactions or account details with Ethiopian banks and remittance agents.
- Complete security checks or OTP callbacks when accessing Ethiopian services.
👪 Friends & family
- Stay in touch with relatives in Ethiopian cities and rural areas at low cost.
- Share news, events, and support with family who rely mainly on mobile phones.
Common challenges: International calls to Ethiopia can be affected by higher per minute rates, variable line quality outside major cities, and reliance on local mobile coverage, which makes choosing a stable, fairly priced service important.
Useful information about Ethiopia
Reliable routes and mobile reach make cheap calls to Ethiopia practical for family and business. Learn how to call Ethiopia and manage international calls to Ethiopia without bill shock.
- Country code: +251
- Primary time zone: Africa/Addis_Ababa
- Rates from: $0.95/minute
Popular cities in Ethiopia:
- Addis Ababa (capital) · 11Capital and main business hub, home to African Union and major NGOs.
- Dire Dawa · 25Important eastern commercial center and transport hub.
- Mekelle · 34Northern city known for trade and regional administration.
- Hawassa · 46Lakeside city and growing industrial and tourism center.
Timezones in Ethiopia:
1 time zone
Africa/Addis_Ababa
Single time zone; business hours are consistent across the country.
Common languages spoken in Ethiopia:
- Amharic (official)
- Oromo
- Tigrinya
- English
Telecom providers used within Ethiopia:
- Ethio telecom · mobile/fixed-line/internet - State owned operator with nationwide mobile and fixed coverage.
- Safaricom Ethiopia · mobile/data - New mobile entrant expanding 4G services in major cities.
Guide to calling Ethiopia
Business hours to call
Live time check (refreshes every minute) to plan calls in the right window.
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Working days
Typical working days: Monday-Friday. Confirm with local teams during holidays.
Business hours
Business hours often run from 09:00 to 17:00. Typical office hours in the single Ethiopia time zone.
Professional calling etiquette
- Use formal titles and respectful tone, especially on first business contact.
- Be patient with slower pace, allow time for greetings and relationship building.
- Confirm key points and follow up in writing due to possible line quality issues.
How to greet
- Selam, is it a good time to talk?
- Selamno / Dehna neh (to a man), Dehna nesh (to a woman).
- Good morning, may I speak with [name] please?
Public holidays
- Enkutatash (New Year) — 09-11
- Adwa Victory Day — 03-02
- Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) — 01-07
Emergency numbers
Keep these numbers handy for critical situations. Use the local emergency line when in Ethiopia.
- Police: 991
- Fire: 939
- Ambulance: 907
Call the appropriate service first, then follow local guidance. Provide your location and stay on the line until advised otherwise.
How to Dial Ethiopia
To call Ethiopia, dial your exit code (or +), then +251, followed by the area or mobile code and local number. Drop any local trunk prefix (like 0) when dialing internationally.
Dialing format
+251 + [area code or mobile code] + 7 digit subscriber number (total usually 9 digits after country code).
- Mobile: +251 91 234 5678.
- Landline: +251 11 123 4567.
- Remove local trunk prefixes (e.g., leading 0) and confirm number length before placing the call.
Common mistakes while calling Ethiopia
- Forgetting to remove the leading 0 from Ethiopian numbers after adding +251.
- Dialing the wrong number of digits, Ethiopian numbers have 9 digits after +251.
- Using an outdated area code when calling landlines in regional cities.
- Relying on mobile roaming instead of a VoIP service, leading to high costs.
Step-by-step dial guide
- Dial your international exit code (e.g., 00 or +).
- Enter the country code: +251.
- Add the area or mobile code.
- Dial the local number (drop any leading 0).
FAQs about calling Ethiopia
How do I call a mobile or landline in Ethiopia from abroad?
Dial your international exit code, then 251, then the area or mobile code and 7 digit number, dropping any leading 0. Using HelloAirDial avoids high carrier surcharges.
What is the best time of day to call Ethiopia?
Aim for 08:00 to 11:00 or 14:00 to 17:00 Ethiopia time to reach offices and avoid very early or late hours for personal calls.
How much do calls to Ethiopia cost with HelloAirDial?
HelloAirDial shows transparent per minute rates to Ethiopian mobiles and landlines before you place the call, so you always know the cost in advance.
Will my caller ID show when I call Ethiopia?
In many cases your number or a HelloAirDial caller ID will display, but some Ethiopian networks may replace or hide IDs due to local routing rules.
Why are my calls to Ethiopia not connecting or dropping?
This can be due to weak local coverage or congestion. Try calling again, check the number format, and use HelloAirDial for more stable international routing.