What is the country code for Ethiopia?

The country code for Ethiopia is +251 (or 00 251 from the UK).

Do I need an app to call Ethiopia from the UK on Sayfone?

No. Sayfone is browser-based, so you can call directly from your web browser on any device—no app download needed.

What is the per-minute rate on Sayfone for calling Ethiopia?

Sayfone offers transparent per-minute pricing to Ethiopia starting at 0.78¢/min. Rates may vary for mobile and landline calls.

What is the time difference between the UK and Ethiopia?

Ethiopia is 3 hours ahead of the UK during winter (GMT) and 2 hours ahead during summer (BST). Ethiopia observes East Africa Time year-round with no daylight saving time.

Can I dial Ethiopian landlines and mobile numbers the same way?

Yes, both follow the same format: +251 area code (for landlines) or +251 9XX XXXX XXXX (for mobiles). The main carriers are Ethio Telecom, Vodafone Ethiopia, and Africell.

What do I do if the call won't connect?

Verify the full number including country code and area code. Check that the recipient's phone is on and has network coverage. Wait 3–5 seconds for the call to establish. Try again after a few minutes if the problem persists.

Is there a best time to call Ethiopia from the UK?

Yes. Call during 9 AM–5 PM Ethiopia Time for best results. That's around 6 AM–2 PM UK time (winter) or 7 AM–3 PM (summer).

Do I need to drop the leading 0 from Ethiopian area codes?

Yes. Ethiopian area codes are written with a leading 0 locally (e.g., 011 for Addis Ababa), but when dialing internationally, drop the 0 and use +251 11 instead.

Quick Answer

How to Call Ethiopia from the United Kingdom

Call Ethiopia from the UK by dialing +251 followed by the area code and number. Sayfone offers transparent per-minute rates starting at 0.78¢/min with no app needed.

Start Calling

Cost tools

🇬🇧From United Kingdom

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

Dial +251 (Ethiopia country code)
Enter the area code (e.g., 11 for Addis Ababa)
Dial the local number
Review the rate and place the call from your browser

Sources

1
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – Country Code Assignment
Ethiopia country code verification

DIALING INSTRUCTIONS

Step-by-Step Dialing Guide

Follow these steps to dial Ethiopia from your phone or computer. Each step is simple and takes just seconds.

1
Enter the International Access Code
From the United Kingdom, begin with 00 (or + on mobile) to dial internationally.
```
00 or +
```
2
Dial Ethiopia's Country Code
Add 251, the country code for Ethiopia.
```
00 251 or +251
```
3
Enter the Area Code
Add the area code for your destination. Addis Ababa is 11; Dire Dawa is 25; other cities vary. Omit the leading 0 if it appears in the local format.
```
00 251 11 (for Addis Ababa)
```
4
Dial the Local Number
Complete the call with the recipient's phone number, typically 7–8 digits for landlines or mobiles.
```
00 251 11 123 4567
```
5
Review and Call
If using Sayfone, review the rate (0.78¢/min) before placing the call. Call from your browser—no app download required.
```
Rate displayed: 0.78¢/min
```

Dialing format reference

+251

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

Mobile

+251 9XX XXX XXXX (Ethio Telecom, Vodafone Ethiopia, Africell)

Landline

+251 (Area Code) XXXX XXXX (7–8 digits)

+251 11 123 4567 (Addis Ababa landline)
+251 9 12 345 678 (mobile)
+251 25 123 4567 (Dire Dawa landline)

Major city area codes

Addis Ababa11

Dire Dawa25

Hawassa46

Mekelle34

Sources

1
Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority – National Numbering Plan
Area code and number format verification

IMPORTANT RULES

Dialing Rules and Formatting

Follow these rules to ensure your call connects reliably to Ethiopia.

Always Include the Country Code

Ethiopia's country code is +251 (or 00 251 from the UK). Never omit it when dialing internationally.

Drop the Leading 0 from Area Codes

Ethiopian area codes are listed with a leading 0 in local format (e.g., 011 for Addis Ababa). When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0 and use 11 instead.

Use 00 or + for International Dialing

From the UK, use 00 from a landline or + from a mobile. Both are valid international prefixes.

Verify the Recipient's Format

Ask the recipient for their full number including area code. Ethiopian mobile numbers start with 9; landlines begin with the area code.

Allow Extra Time for Connection

International calls may take a few extra seconds to connect. Wait for at least two to three rings before assuming the call has failed.

SMART CALLING TIPS

Best Times to Call and Calling Tips

Maximize connection quality and reach your contacts during their waking hours with these practical timing and calling tips.

Time & windows

Best Time to Call

9 AM–5 PM Ethiopia Time

Reaches most people during business and daytime hours.

Early Morning (Ethiopia)

6 AM–9 AM Ethiopia Time

Good for catching people at home; less busy on landlines.

Evening (Ethiopia)

5 PM–8 PM Ethiopia Time

Work hours ending; personal calls often successful.

🇬🇧When it's 9 AM in the UK (winter)

12 PM (noon) in EthiopiaMid-day in Ethiopia; good for business calls.

🇬🇧When it's 9 AM in the UK (summer)

11 AM in EthiopiaLate morning in Ethiopia; still reasonable for most calls.

🇬🇧When it's 6 PM in the UK (winter)

9 PM in EthiopiaEvening in Ethiopia; personal calls may be better received.

🇬🇧When it's 6 PM in the UK (summer)

8 PM in EthiopiaEarly evening in Ethiopia; good for personal contact.

Calling tips

Speak clearly and slowly, especially on older lines—international calls may have slight delays.
Test your connection with a short test call before scheduling an important conversation.
Have the recipient's number written down, including country code and area code, to avoid redials.
Call during weekday business hours (Ethiopia time) for the highest connection success rate.
Be patient during connection; international calls may take 2–3 seconds longer to establish.

Business etiquette

Introduce yourself and your purpose immediately to show respect for the recipient's time.
Avoid calling very early or late in the evening unless you have arranged it beforehand.
Be aware that public holidays in Ethiopia (e.g., Timkat in January, Derg Downfall Day in September) may affect availability.
Keep calls brief and professional during business hours; longer conversations work better in personal time.
Always confirm the best time to call with the recipient if it's your first time reaching out.

Sources

1
World Time Zone Database (IANA)
Time zone and DST offset verification

TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting & Call Restrictions

Solutions for common calling issues and important restrictions to be aware of when calling Ethiopia.

Call Won't Connect

Verify you've dialed the full number including +251 and area code. Check that the recipient's phone is switched on and within network coverage. Wait 3–5 seconds for the connection to establish. If the problem persists, try again after a few minutes.

Poor Call Quality or Delays

International calls may have slight audio delays and occasional dropouts. Ensure you have a strong internet or mobile signal. Speak clearly and at a normal pace. If quality is consistently poor, ask the recipient to call you back or try again at a different time.

Number Not Valid or Out of Service

Confirm the number with the recipient—they may have changed providers or moved to a new number. Some older landlines in remote areas may no longer be in service. Mobile numbers are more reliable than landlines for international calling.

Special Numbers (Toll-Free, Premium)

Some special numbers and premium-rate services may not work from international lines. Stick to standard landlines and mobile numbers. If you need to reach a business, ask for their main landline rather than a toll-free number.

Time Difference Confusion

Ethiopia observes East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3) year-round. The UK is 3 hours behind (GMT winter) or 2 hours behind (BST summer). Always double-check the time difference before calling to avoid early morning or late-night calls.

Sources

1
Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority – Telecom Regulations
Service restrictions and regulatory compliance

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.