Country Office

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The World Bank Country Office in Addis Ababa is one of the largest in the continent of Africa with over 100 staff members. The office is centrally located on Bole Road in the Worbek House, convenient to the Bole International Airport.

	Office Information		Information for Visiting Mission		Getting In and Around Addis
	Currency Information		Addis Ababa Climate		Health and Safety
	Culture and Customs		National Holidays

Sector Team Assistants

Road & Energy Unit: Mrs.Yeshi Gizaw (5358 +349)
Water & Sanitation,  Urban Development Unit: Mrs.Wuleta Giday (5358+356)
Human Development Unit: Mrs.Eleni Albejo (5358+354),Mrs. Lemlem Workalemahu (5358+ 344 )   and Mr. Biftu Wordofa (5358+325)
Rural & Agriculture Unit: Mrs.Rahel Lulu (5358+330) and Mr. Dawit Tadesse (5358+ 366)
Macro Unit & Public Sector Capacity Building Unit: Ms. Siele Shifferaw (5358+374)
Country Director’s Office: Mrs. Tersit Berhane Giday (5358+ 340)
Resource Management: Mr. Muluneh Sugebo (5358 + 368)
Liaison Assistant: Mr.Tijani Alamin (ext 302)
Transport Unit : Mr. Lulseged Belete (5358+ 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 100.00 (US$7) to the Hilton Hotel or Sheraton and Birr and Birr 50 (US$4) to the World Bank (prices may vary). The taxis 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,: 011 551-48-38 or 011 551-29-23 or 011 515-61-09 Rainbow Travel, the Sheraton Hotel Phone: 011 551-37-55 or  0115 17-17-17 World Bank Travel Website

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 cents. The exchange rate as of January 2011 is ETB 17.00 to US$1. Forex bureau facilities exist in major hotels like the Hilton and the Sheraton.
Check current exchange rate.

Ethiopia has two major seasons: the dry season, Bega, prevails from October through May and the wet/rainy season, Kiremt, takes place between the months of June and September.

Source: The Times Books World Weather Guied

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 Service website 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 Muluneh Sugebo, RMO. Please note that payment is in cash in US Dollars.

UNECA Office Telephone: 011 551-72-00
UNECA Clinic 011 551-10-53 or 44-35-48
UNECA Ambulance Service: 011 551-10-53

Swedish Clinic: 011 371-07-68

The Saint Gabriel Hospital: 0116 61-36-22 or 0116 61-44-00

Hayat Hospital: 0116 18-10-96 or 0116 62-44-88 or 011 661-42-50

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.

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"

New Year Day (International ) January 1

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 Communications Officer.