UK Travel Warning on Ethiopia

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:

• the whole of Tigray regional state except the towns and connecting roads of Mekelle; southward to Maychew; northwards to Adigrat; west and north-westward to Abiy Addi, Adwa and Shire; and eastward to Abala on the Tigray/Afar border

• all of Amhara regional state

• the whole of Gambella regional state

• north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa Zone, and south and west of (but not including) the A3 in North Shewa Zone in the Oromia regional state

• the West Wollega Zone, East Wollega Zone, Kellem Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega in the Oromia regional state

• the whole of the Metekel Zone and Maokomo Special zone in the Benishangul Gumuz regional state

• within 20 km of the border with Sudan

• within 10 km of the border with South Sudan

• within 100 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, with the exception of border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale

• within 10 km of the border with Kenya, with the exception of principal roads/towns

• within 10km of the border with Eritrea

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 100km of the border with Tigray regional state to the north of Anseba town in Afar, and within 30km of the border with Tigray regional state to the south of Anseba town in Afar

• in Ethiopian Somali Regional State, the Siti zone, the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder), and the areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders

• the West Guji and Guji zones in the Oromia regional state

• the road and 10km either side of the road between Welenchiti and Metehara on the A1 in East Shewa zone of Oromia regional state

• the Konso Special Woreda of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR)

• the rest of the Benishangul Gumuz regional state

There have been violent protests and clashes between security forces and informal militia across Amhara regional state since April 2023 including violent clashes in the major towns and cities of Bahir Dar, Gondar and Lalibela. Violence could emerge without warning. Travellers are at risk of being caught in crossfire. FCDO advises that you shelter in place and if this is not possible that you proceed to a safe location and stay there until it is safe to leave. The government has announced a 19:00 curfew in the cities of Bahir Dar, Debre Markos, Debre Birhan, Lalibela, Gondar and Shewa Robit until 23 August. It also announced a ban on three wheeled (Bajaj) and motorcycle transport in those cities.

The Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed a peace agreement to cease hostilities in Tigray in November 2022. Implementation of disarmament and reconstruction measures have begun. The situation in Tigray continues to be fragile and the possibility of isolated armed incidents remains.

The FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region, except the towns and connecting roads of Mekelle; southward to Maychew; northwards to Adigrat; west and north-westward to Abiy Addi, Adwa and Shire; and eastward to Abala on the Tigray/Afar border, and to parts of northern Amhara region. If you are in Tigray region, you should leave where safe to do so. If you are in the vicinity of military activity and you cannot leave safely, you should stay indoors, away from windows and remain alert to developments that would enable you to leave safely. See Tigray Region, Amhara Region, and Afar Region.

In July 2022, Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the towns of Aato, Yeed and Washaaqo, near to the border between Somalia and Ethiopia. Al-Shabaab has indicated its intention to commit further attacks in the area and there may be further fighting. Travellers in Somali Regional State should remain vigilant at all times.

There have been reports of incidents along the Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (A3) road, including those of armed men attacking vehicles. These usually take place in the early hours when there is poor visibility. You should exercise additional caution and avoid traveling in the dark or when visibility is poor. The A3 road can be subject to increased check points and/or closure by the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).

There has been an increase in sporadic conflicts between armed groups in Oromia region and Amhara region. These are mostly reported to be taking place in rural areas of Oromia region, with limited clashes in Amhara region, including in urban areas. Air strikes against armed groups in the West Shewa zone have been reported. The FCDO advises against all travel to areas north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa Zone, and south and west of (but not including) the A3 in North Shewa Zone. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel on the A1 road and 10 km either side of the road between Melenchite and Metehara. You should exercise extreme caution when travelling and be aware that situations have potential to escalate quickly. See Amhara Region and Oromia Region

The current political and security situation means that the consular support the British Embassy can provide may be limited. If you need urgent help, call +251 (0)11 617 0100. If you experience technical difficulties or if you are in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

For information on returning to the UK from Ethiopia, see Returning to the UK.

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Ethiopia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

There are frequent incidences of civil unrest in Ethiopia, including protests and strikes. Some of these can cause temporary closure of roads, internet and mobile networks or disruption to local businesses and transport. In the past some protests have escalated into serious violence. See Local travel

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Ethiopia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like transport hubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and places of worship and during major gatherings like religious or sporting events. There is a threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and on the southern border with Kenya, particularly in the eastern areas to which the FCDO advise against all travel. See Terrorism

Internet connections in Ethiopia, including mobile data, can be intermittent.

Ethiopia is primarily a cash based society and banking facilities, including card payments and ATMs are very limited outside major cities. See Money

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and