Country Office

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

	Office Information   Â		Information for Visiting  Mission		Getting In and Around Addis
	Currency  InformationÂ		Addis Ababa Climate Â		Health and Safety
	Culture and Customs Â		National HolidaysÂ		Public Information Center and Computer Lab

  Road & Energy Unit: Mrs.Yeshi  Gizaw (5358 +349)
  Water & Sanitation, Cultural Heritage Unit: Mrs.Wuleta Giday (5358+356)
  Human Development Unit: Mrs.Eleni Albejo (5358+354)
  Agriculture Unit: Mrs.Rahel Lulu (5358+330)
  Macro Unit & Public Sector Capacity Building Unit:   
        Mrs.Shenaz Ahmed (5358+374)
        Mrs.Senait Kassa (5358+387)
  Country Director’s Office:  Mrs.Fekerte Getachew (5358+ 375)
  Liaison Assistant: Mr.Tijani Alamin  (ext 302)
  Transport Unit  : Mr.Fikre Mengistu (ext 312)
  IT Support: Ms.Yetemwok Wolde (5358+341); and Mr.Tezera Fantaye (5358+324)
  Express Travel: (ext. 396)

Note: An entry visa is absolutely necessary and Ethiopian outgoing airport tax is $20.00

Office hours 08:30-12:30, 13:30-17:30 Monday to Friday

 

Diplomatic Pouch Schedule

        Leaves Washington Monday

        Leaves Addis Ababa Friday

Airport Information

 

The Bole International Airport is 8 km SE of the city center.  Both the Sheraton and Hilton Hotels run courtesy shuttle services to and from the airport.

 

Taxis

Taxis are very easy to get from the airport to the city center. Yellow Taxis the fare is approximately Birr  44.00 (US$5.20) to the Hilton Hotel or Sheraton and Birr 25 (US$2.90) to  the World Bank

 

The taxis are luxury Mercedes limousines. They are stationed outside all the major hotels and at the airport.  They have fixed rates and a receipt is given for the fare. Protection of personal belongings is advised.  Taxis are not metered; fares should be negotiated in advance of your trip.

Tips are optional.

 

Car Rentals

National Tour Operations,   The  Hilton Hotel

          Phone: 51-48-38 or 51-29-23 or 15-61-09   

 

Rainbow Travel,   the Sheraton Hotel

          Phone: 51-37-55 or 17-17-17

 

World Bank Travel Website

Currency Information

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 cents. The exchange rate as of of June 2004 is ETB 8.60 to US$1. Forex bureaux facilities exist in major hotels like the Hilton and the Sheraton.
Check current exchange rate.

During the Bega dry season (between the months of October and January) there is no rainfall. The days are hot and the nights are cool.  Warm clothing is recommended; dramatic temperature changes may occur.

 

The high altitude of Addis Ababa (7000 feet above sea level) may affect some individuals. Consult the  Country Health Servicewebsite for specific guidelines.

The Bank's health unit will advise you on country-specific conditions and required immunizations. Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.If possible avoid raw food while in Ethiopia, and insist on bottled water.

Recommended Clinics

The UNECA Clinic
The clinic is open 24 hours a day, including weekends.  It is located in the UN-ECA complex just 2 blocks from the Hilton Hotel.  Staff who need to go to the UN-ECA clinic have to carry a letter of introduction from the Country Office.  Before you go to the UN-ECA clinic you need a support letter from Country Office. Please ask for Abdulkadir M. Seid, RMO.  Please note that payment is in cash in US Dollars.

UNECA Office Telephone: 51-72-00
UNECA Clinic 51-10-53 or 44-35-48
UNECA Ambulance Service: 51-10-53

Swedish Clinic: 71-07-68

The Saint Gabriel Hospital: 61-36-22 or 61-44-00

Hayat Hospital: 18-10-96 or 62-44-88 or 61-42-50

Emergency Information
In case of Emergency consult the World Bank  Field Health Emergency website as well as the U.S. State Department, which regularly issue Travel Advisories.

Culture and Customs

Commonly used languages: Amharic and English (French and Italian are widely spoken).

Most taxi drivers and shop keepers can understand basic English.

Ethnic Make-Up: There are over 80 ethnic groups in Ethiopia including Amhara, Tigrey, Oromo and Gurage.

Working Hours

Shops are usually open from 0800-1230, 1530-1930, Monday to Saturday.

Government hours are 0830-1800 Monday to Friday.

Other business office hours are 0800-1200, 1300-1600 Monday to Friday, 0800-1200 Saturday.

Expected Business Attire: suit and tie for males.

Cultural Facts:

• Always ask permission before photographing local people; do not photograph public buildings.
  
• Upon meeting a gentle handshake is customary between members of the same sex.
  
• An Ethiopian man takes his father's name as his surname but is known by his own first name For Example: Abebe Bezabeh is known as "Ato Abebe" and Bezabeh is his fathers first name.
  
• Women do not change names upon marriage but take the title "Woizero" (Mrs..).
  
• Most restaurants include a 10% service charge and 15% VAT; a small tip is customary.
   
• Business meetings often begin with refreshments (soft drinks, coffee, tea).
  
• Most Ethiopians do not eat pork, turkey or ham.
• Cutlery is not used when eating Ethiopian dishes -you will be given an opportunity to    wash before eating; the right hand is normally  used for eating.
  
• The 24 hour day begins at sunrise in Ethiopia i.e the count begins 7:00am (as 1:00am Ethiopian time) and continues until 6:00 pm (which is 12:00pm Ethiopian time), and then the night again begins 7:00pm (as 1:00pm Ethiopian time) and continues until 6:00am (which is 12:00pm Ethiopian time)·
  
• Ethiopia uses the Coptic (similar to the Julian) calendar. There are 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 days , 6 in a leap year. 

Coffee is a common beverage (if it is called the "health of Adam" it has some rye added to it). "Talla" (beer), "kaitaka" and "tej" (honey wine) are uniquely Ethiopian alcoholic drinks.
Keep in mind that Wednesdays and Fridays may be fasting days for Ethiopian Christians -meat, fowl, eggs and dairy products may not be eaten

A few Amharic words

Hello: "Tenay Yistillign" or "Selam"

Yes: "Ishi"

No: "Yellem" or "No"

Thank You: "Amese Ghenalehu"

Mr..: "Ato"

Mrs..: "Woizero" (Wzo.)

Miss: "Woizerit" (Wzt.)
How much is it?   “Sent naw?
Check Please  (Restaurant Bill): "Hisab" 

Ethiopian Christmas – January 7

 

Ethiopian Epiphany "Timkat" - 19 January

 

Eid Al Adha – February 11

 

Victory of Adwa Commemoration Day – March 2

 

Ethiopian Patriots Victory Day – May 5

 

Mawlid (Birthday of Prof. Mohammed) – May 13

 

The Finding of True Cross (Meskal) – September 28

 

Ethiopian New Year –September 11

 

Eid Al Fitre – November 24

Id al Fitr marks the end of the Islamic Ramadan, a month of fasting. Keep in mind that some restaurants and shops may alter their schedules during Ramadan.

 

Please direct your recommendations and corrections to the Webmaster.

The PIC/Library was started in May 1988 with the goal to make World Bank publications and information available to the public. Since 1993, the Bank has expanded the types of documents that are made available and PICs were established in many countries worldwide. In compliance with the World Bank's policy on information disclosure, the Ethiopia PIC aims to show the Bank's work and activities to the widest possible audience and thus to enhance the World Bank's commitment to transparency, openness and accountability.

In addition to the library, the PIC provides the public computers and internet access.  Access to computers is by pre-registration which takes place on specified dates each month (see below).  Users will be allowed to register for up to 4 days in a month in which they will get 1 to 2 hours of internet access at their allotted time.  Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis on the specified days.  

To register for access to PIC computers and internet, come to the World Bank officeon the appropriate dates.  

Learn more about the Public Information Centerat the World Bank Ethiopia Office.