Free Call to Ethiopia from US — $0.65/min (2026)
Call Ethiopia free with Telegram (very popular) or WhatsApp. BubblyPhone $0.65/min. Country code +251, Addis Ababa 11. Ethio Telecom. 13-month calendar! Internet shutdowns during unrest.
Calling Ethiopia costs $0.65/min with BubblyPhone — that's $34.80 for a full hour. The country code is +251, with Addis Ababa at +251 11. Telegram is very popular in Ethiopia — more so than in most African countries. Ethio Telecom is the sole carrier (government monopoly). Ethiopia runs on EAT (UTC+3). Fun fact: Ethiopia uses its own calendar with 13 months.
Whether you're calling family in Addis Ababa or connecting with the large Ethiopian diaspora in the DC/DMV area, here's every option for calling Ethiopia.
Moderate Rate — Apps Preferred
At $0.62/min, BubblyPhone is moderately priced for Ethiopia. Google Voice charges about $0.05/min — much cheaper. The government has historically shut down internet during unrest, so phone calls can be critical when apps don't work.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. Ethiopia has had internet shutdowns during political unrest — keep a phone-call backup.
1. Telegram — Very Popular in Ethiopia
Telegram is unusually popular in Ethiopia compared to most African countries. It's used for messaging, channels, groups, and voice calls. Many Ethiopians prefer it for its privacy features and channel system.
Tip: Install Telegram first if calling Ethiopia — it's more popular there than you might expect.
2. WhatsApp — Also Widely Used
WhatsApp is widespread in Ethiopia as well. Voice calls work when data is available. Many Ethiopians use both Telegram and WhatsApp.
3. Facebook Messenger — Common
Facebook is popular in Ethiopia, and Messenger is widely used for calls and messaging. Works as a third option behind Telegram and WhatsApp.
4. FaceTime — Limited
iPhone penetration is low in Ethiopia. FaceTime is only practical if both have Apple devices, which is uncommon. Android dominates.
Calling Ethiopian Phone Numbers
When apps fail — especially during internet shutdowns — you need phone-based calling:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.20/min | $0.20/min | Best value — US account required |
| BubblyPhone | $0.65/min | $0.65/min | Browser, iOS, Android |
| AT&T / Verizon | $3.00-5.00/min | $3.00-5.00/min | Extremely expensive |
Our honest take: BubblyPhone at $0.65/min is not the cheapest for Ethiopia. Google Voice ($0.05/min) is about 12x cheaper. However, during internet shutdowns when apps don't work, having any VoIP service to dial a phone number becomes invaluable.
How to Dial Ethiopia from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 251 + area code + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+251 + area code + number
# Example — calling an Addis Ababa landline:
+251 11 123 4567
# Example — calling an Ethiopian mobile:
+251 91 234 5678
Drop the leading 0: Within Ethiopia, numbers start with 0 (e.g., 091). When dialing from the US, drop the 0 and dial +251 91.
Number Format
- Addis Ababa: +251 11 + 7 digits
- Mobiles: +251 9X + 7 digits
- Drop the leading 0
- Country code: +251
Carriers & Internet
- Ethio Telecom: Only carrier (monopoly)
- Safaricom Ethiopia: New entrant (2022)
- Coverage: Good in Addis, limited rural
- Internet shutdowns: During unrest
- 13-month calendar!
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Addis Ababa
Telegram or WhatsApp — free and widely used. Telegram is especially popular in Ethiopia. If internet is down, Google Voice ($0.05/min) to dial their number.
Ethiopian diaspora in DC/DMV area
Washington DC has one of the largest Ethiopian communities outside Africa. Telegram is the go-to app. For phone calls, Google Voice ($0.05/min) beats most alternatives.
During internet shutdowns
The Ethiopian government has shut down internet during political unrest. When this happens, phone calls are the only option. Keep a VoIP service like Google Voice or BubblyPhone ready as backup.
Tips for Calling Ethiopia
- Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of EST (EAT, UTC+3). When it's 9 AM in New York, it's 5 PM in Addis Ababa. Best window: 8-10 AM EST (4-6 PM Ethiopia)
- Telegram first — unusually popular in Ethiopia compared to other African countries. Install it alongside WhatsApp
- Ethiopia uses its own calendar — it has 13 months and is roughly 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. September 11 (Gregorian) is Ethiopian New Year. This affects business scheduling
- Amharic is the primary language — over 80 other languages are spoken. English is growing among urban professionals
- Internet can be shut down — the government has imposed shutdowns during political unrest. Phone calls to actual numbers become critical during these periods
- Ethio Telecom monopoly — keeps prices somewhat high, though Safaricom entered the market in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Ethiopia for free from the US?
What is the country code for Ethiopia?
Why is Telegram popular in Ethiopia?
Does Ethiopia really have 13 months?
What's the best time to call Ethiopia from the US?
Call Ethiopia from $0.62/min
Use Telegram or WhatsApp for free calls. Need a phone number? BubblyPhone works at $0.65/min — dial +251 from any browser.
Try Free — Call Ethiopia Now