Cheap Calls to Ethiopia — From $0.5754/min
Country code: +251
Landline
BEST VALUE10 min call = $5.75
Mobile
10 min call = $5.75
Call from your browser, or download our iOS / Android app
How Much Does a Call to Ethiopia Cost?
Quick reference at our base rate of $0.5754/min:
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Rate Breakdown — Ethiopia
Rates vary by carrier and line type. Here's exactly what you'll pay per minute, broken down by destination type.
Rates are per minute, billed per second. No connection fees. Updated regularly from our carrier.
How to Dial Ethiopia from the US
Dial the exit code — Press 011 (or + on a cell phone) to initiate an international call from the US.
Enter 251 — This is Ethiopia's country code. Drop the leading 0 used for domestic calls.
Dial the local number — Enter the area code (11 for Addis Ababa) plus the subscriber number, or the mobile prefix (9xx) plus 7 digits.
Number Format Examples
Landline (Addis Ababa): +251 11 123 4567
Mobile (Ethio Telecom): +251 91 123 4567
Mobile (Safaricom Ethiopia): +251 94 123 4567
Common Mistakes
- Including the trunk 0 — Drop the leading 0 from domestic numbers. Dial +251 11, not +251 011.
- Assuming all mobiles are Ethio Telecom — Safaricom Ethiopia launched in 2022 with new prefixes (94x). Ethio Telecom still dominates with prefixes 91, 92, 93, 96.
- Calling during internet shutdowns — Ethiopia has experienced internet shutdowns in some regions. Voice calls over traditional networks are more reliable than VoIP during these periods.
What You Actually Pay — Ethiopia Rate Comparison
Most services advertise a low rate but tack on connection fees, monthly minimums, or round up to 3-minute blocks. Here's a transparent comparison.
Call Ethiopia from Any Device
Web Browser
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iOS App
Native iPhone app with one-tap dialing, contact sync, and push notifications.
Android App
Native Android app with the same seamless experience. Your account syncs across all devices.
All platforms share the same account, balance, and call history. Start a call on your laptop, next time dial from your phone — it just works.
AI Call Transcription & Summary
Full Transcription
Every word of your call to Ethiopia, transcribed by AI into readable text. Available in your call history immediately after the call ends.
AI Summary
Get an AI-generated summary of key points from your conversation. Perfect for business calls or remembering important details.
Best Time to Call Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
7:26 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Dire Dawa
7:26 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Gondar
7:26 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Hawassa
7:26 PM
Fri, Mar 20
Time zone: UTC+3 (no daylight saving)
From EST:
Calling Ethiopia — Things to Know
- Telegram is the dominant messaging app in Ethiopia — far more popular than WhatsApp. Most Ethiopians use Telegram for messaging, groups, and channels.
- Ethiopia was a state telecom monopoly until 2022, when Safaricom Ethiopia launched as the first private operator. Ethio Telecom still has over 90% market share.
- Ethiopia uses its own calendar (the Ethiopian calendar) which is 7–8 years behind the Gregorian calendar and has 13 months. Dates may cause confusion.
- Ethiopia uses a unique time system where 1:00 local time means 7:00 AM on the standard clock (they count from sunrise). When scheduling calls, confirm using "international time."
- Internet access is growing but still limited outside major cities. Traditional voice calls are the most reliable way to reach people in rural areas.
- The Ethiopian diaspora in the US is concentrated in the Washington DC area, which has the largest Ethiopian population outside Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to call Ethiopia from the US?
With BubblyPhone, calls to Ethiopia start at approximately 5¢ per minute. Major carriers like AT&T charge around $2.00/min — 40 times more expensive.
What is the country code for Ethiopia?
Ethiopia's country code is +251. Dial 011-251 from a US landline or +251 from a mobile phone.
What is the area code for Addis Ababa?
Addis Ababa's area code is 11. Dial +251 11 followed by the 7-digit local number.
What are Ethiopian mobile number prefixes?
Ethio Telecom mobile numbers start with 91, 92, 93, or 96. The newer Safaricom Ethiopia uses prefix 94.
Why do Ethiopians prefer Telegram?
Telegram became dominant in Ethiopia due to its lighter data usage, channel/group features, and availability during periods when other apps were restricted. Most Ethiopian diaspora use Telegram.
What time is it in Ethiopia when it's noon in New York?
Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Time (7 hours during EDT). When it's noon in New York, it's 7 or 8 PM in Addis Ababa.
Can I use WhatsApp to call Ethiopia?
WhatsApp works in Ethiopia but requires data, which can be unreliable. For guaranteed connectivity, BubblyPhone's regular voice calls at 5¢/min are more reliable.
Is Safaricom available in Ethiopia?
Yes, Safaricom Ethiopia launched in 2022 as the first private telecom operator. They use the 94 mobile prefix and are expanding coverage across major cities.
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