Ethiopia +251
To call Ethiopia from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 251, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +251 91 123 4567.
The country calling code for Ethiopia is +251. A number starting +251 or 00251 is a call to or from Ethiopia. From abroad: +251 91 123 4567.
To call Ethiopia from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 251, then the local number without its leading 0. The +251 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call Ethiopia from abroad
011 251 91 123 456700 251 91 123 45670011 251 91 123 4567+251 91 123 456791 123 4567 is a real-format Ethiopia mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
Ethiopia area codes
In Ethiopia, landlines usually include an area code after +251 (without its leading 0). Mobiles have no area code.
Number format
011 111 2345from abroad+251 11 111 2345091 123 4567from abroad+251 91 123 4567Landline numbers in Ethiopia have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 9 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +251.
Calling abroad from Ethiopia
To call another country from Ethiopia, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Ethiopia to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A Ethiopia number in international format is written +251 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call Ethiopia
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Ethiopia for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +251?
Ethiopia has the country calling code +251.
How do I call Ethiopia from the United States?
Dial 011, then 251, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 91 123 4567.
What does +251 mean?
It is the international dialing code for Ethiopia. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +251 mobile or landline?
The +251 code identifies the country, not the line type; Ethiopia landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in Ethiopia
2 mobile network operators run their own networks in Ethiopia. The largest is Ethiotelecom, with about 78.3 million subscribers. Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Owned by Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation
Owned by Safaricom (55.7%)|Sumitomo Corporation (27.20%)|British International Investment (10.9%)|Vodacom (6.20%)
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in Ethiopia: LTE 1800. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Staying connected in Ethiopia
With 65 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, mobile coverage in Ethiopia is not universal — keep a landline number as a backup when you can. Only 22 % of people use the internet, so a plain phone call may reach more people than an app.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Eritrea +291
Kenya +254
Sudan +249
South Sudan +211
Somalia +252
Djibouti +253