What is Ethiopia's country code?

Ethiopia's country code is +251. Always start with +251 when calling from South Sudan or anywhere outside Ethiopia.

How much does it cost to call Ethiopia from South Sudan on Sayfone?

Sayfone offers transparent per-minute pricing to Ethiopia. The current rate is 78¢/min. You pay only for the minutes you use—no setup fees, no hidden charges.

Do I need the area code for mobile numbers in Ethiopia?

No. Ethiopian mobile numbers are 10 digits and include the country code (+251) plus a 9-digit mobile number. You do not need a separate area code for mobile calls.

What is the time difference between South Sudan and Ethiopia?

Ethiopia is 2 hours ahead of South Sudan year-round. This time difference does not change because neither country observes daylight saving time consistently.

Can I call landlines and mobile numbers the same way?

Landlines require an area code; mobile numbers do not. For landlines, dial +251 + area code + local number. For mobile, dial +251 + 9-digit mobile number.

How can I improve call quality?

Call during peak hours when network conditions are stable. Use a phone with good signal or a reliable internet connection if using Sayfone. Move away from sources of interference and try the call again at a different time if quality is poor.

Quick Answer

How to Call Ethiopia from South Sudan

Dial +251, then the area code and local number. Calls to Ethiopia from South Sudan are straightforward—no special prefix or formatting required beyond the country code.

Start calling

Cost tools

🇸🇸From South Sudan

To Ethiopia🇪🇹

$0.78

Per minute

+251

Country code

Call quality

Landline rate

$0.78/min

Mobile rate

$0.78/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Steps at a glance

Enter +251 (Ethiopia's country code)
Add the area code (e.g., 11 for Addis Ababa)
Enter the 7-digit local number

Sources

1
ITU Country Code List
Ethiopia country code verification

DIALING STEPS

Step-by-Step Dialing Guide

Follow these steps to dial Ethiopia from South Sudan. The process is simple: country code, area code, and local number.

1
1. Dial the country code
Start with +251, which is Ethiopia's international dialing code. On most phones, press + (plus), then 2, 5, 1.
```
+251
```
2
2. Enter the area code
Add the area code for the city you're calling. Addis Ababa uses 11; other major cities have their own codes (e.g., Dire Dawa 25, Hawassa 46).
```
+251 11
```
3
3. Enter the local number
Dial the 7-digit local number. For landlines, include the full number after the area code; for mobile numbers, the full 10-digit number follows the country code.
```
+251 11 123 4567
```

Dialing format reference

+251

Use these patterns when entering a full international number to +251.

Mobile

+251 9XX XXX XXXX

Landline

+251 [area code] XXX XXXX

+251 11 123 4567 (Addis Ababa landline)
+251 912 345 678 (Ethio Telecom mobile)
+251 93 456 7890 (Vodafone mobile)

Major city area codes

Addis Ababa11

Dire Dawa25

Hawassa46

Bahir Dar58

Sources

1
Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority
Ethiopia numbering plan and area codes

DIALING RULES

Key Dialing Rules for Ethiopia

Ethiopia follows standard international dialing conventions. Understand these key rules to avoid errors when calling from South Sudan.

Always use +251 for international calls

Whether calling from South Sudan or anywhere outside Ethiopia, always start with +251. Do not use 00251 or other country-code prefixes.

Mobile numbers are 10 digits

Ethiopian mobile numbers are 10 digits total: +251 (country code, 3 digits) + 9XX XXX XXXX (7 digits). No area code is needed for mobile.

Landline numbers include area code

Landline calls require the area code (2 digits) plus the local number (5–7 digits). Example: Addis Ababa (11) + 123 4567.

No leading zero on the area code

When dialing internationally, omit the leading 0 from the area code. Dial +251 11 (not +251 011) for Addis Ababa.

CALLING TIPS

Best Times to Call Ethiopia

Ethiopia is 2 hours ahead of South Sudan (year-round). Plan your calls accordingly to reach people during working hours or convenient times.

🇪🇹

Ethiopia does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference remains constant throughout the year.

Time & windows

Time Difference

Ethiopia is +2 hours ahead

Year-round (no daylight saving)

When It's Noon in South Sudan

It's 2 PM in Ethiopia

Always 2 hours ahead

🇸🇸Business hours (9 AM–5 PM)

7 AM–3 PM South Sudan timeBest for reaching offices and formal calls

🇸🇸Morning in Ethiopia

12 AM–8 AM South Sudan timeGood for early risers; early-morning calls may not connect

🇸🇸Evening in Ethiopia

4 PM–midnight South Sudan timeSuitable for personal calls; avoid very late hours

Calling tips

Check the current time in Addis Ababa before dialing to avoid calling too early or too late.
Business calls are best scheduled between 9 AM and 5 PM Ethiopia time (7 AM–3 PM South Sudan time).
Be aware of Ethiopian holidays and observances, which may affect business availability.
Mobile calls may connect outside business hours, but landline offices are typically closed in the evening.

Business etiquette

Introduce yourself clearly and state your purpose at the beginning of the call.
Use respectful language; Ethiopian business culture values formality in initial conversations.
Avoid calling during early morning or late evening unless the relationship is established.
If you reach an office, ask for the appropriate department or person rather than trying multiple extensions.

Sources

1
World Time Zone Database
Current time offset verification

TROUBLESHOOTING

Common Calling Issues & Solutions

Calling Ethiopia from South Sudan is generally reliable. Here are solutions to common problems you may encounter.

Call won't connect

Verify you've entered +251 first, not 0 or another prefix. Check that the area code is correct for the city. If the number is mobile, confirm it starts with 9. Test the call again after a few minutes if it fails initially.

Poor call quality or dropped calls

Call quality may vary depending on local network conditions in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Try calling during a different time of day, move to an area with stronger signal, or use a stable internet connection if calling via Sayfone.

Number is invalid or not recognized

Double-check the number format. Landlines should include the area code; mobile numbers should be 10 digits starting with 9. Ensure no spaces or hyphens are used when dialing internationally.

Toll-free and special numbers may not work

Some special numbers (e.g., customer service hotlines with prefixes other than standard area codes) may not connect when called internationally. Contact the organization directly for an international phone number if available.

Savings

See what you could save

Adjust the tools below to compare Sayfone with typical retail pricing for calls to Ethiopia. Start with one call, then layer on monthly volume to see the bigger picture.

How to use these tools

Sayfone uses your live rate for calls to Ethiopia — the same basis as the rest of this page.
First, estimate savings on a single call length. Then, model a full month of minutes versus typical retail benchmarks.
Retail competitor rows are illustrative — not a quote from any carrier.