Currency and cash
The currency is the birr (ETB). Cards are only accepted in large hotels, agencies and a few shops in Addis Ababa; ATMs are rare outside towns and sometimes empty. Keep foreign currency in reserve.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Ethiopia
Accounts and mobile money
According to the World Bank (Global Findex, 2024 survey), 49% of adults have an account, at a bank or with mobile money, and 9% have a mobile money account (payments and transfers by phone). To open a mobile money account, ask the mobile operators which documents they require and what the fees are.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceWorld Bank, Global Findex 2025 database (accounts and mobile money, adults aged 15 and over)
Sources for this guide
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: Ethiopia · Source updated: September 24, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- World Bank, Global Findex 2025 database (accounts and mobile money, adults aged 15 and over) · Source updated: October 6, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.