EthiopiaETBEthiopian Birr

Money Transfer to Ethiopia

  • We lock the rate before payment
  • More than 100 transfers every day
  • Support at every stage of the transfer
166.5 ETBper 1 USDT−0.00% over 24hCalculation refreshed today at 14:401 USDT = 166.5 ETBOfficial rate; the final rate in the request may differ.
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The exchange rate of the Ethiopian birr has become unpredictable: in 2024, the country released it to the market, and the currency, held administratively for decades, sharply depreciated against the dollar. For those sending money to relatives in Addis Ababa, this means something simple: you can no longer calculate the amount at yesterday's rate. Therefore, the figure in birr is fixed before payment - how much the recipient will receive is visible in the application and is not recalculated upon receipt. Commission from 0.9%.

Ethiopia's payment ecosystem

The route, the receiving bank and the payout amount are agreed before payment.

The national currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); 1 birr = 100 cents. Since 2024, the country has transitioned to a more market-based formation of the ETB exchange rate, abandoning the previous rigid administrative regime. After the reform, the birr has significantly weakened against the US dollar, and the gap between official and unofficial currency markets has narrowed substantially. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the few countries on the continent that did not undergo classic colonization by a European power, although it was under Italian occupation from 1936–1941. Addis Ababa hosts the headquarters of the African Union, and since 2024, Ethiopia is a member of BRICS. The central bank and regulator is the National Bank of Ethiopia, located in Addis Ababa. The country's financial center is Addis Ababa. The main state bank is Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the largest bank in the country with the widest network of branches. Among leading private banks are Awash Bank, Dashen Bank, and Bank of Abyssinia.

Recipient details and transfer requirements

The IBAN format is not used in Ethiopia: for international SWIFT transfers, you typically need the bank's SWIFT/BIC, the account number, and the recipient's full name in Latin characters. For domestic digital payments, Telebirr—a mass mobile wallet operated by Ethio Telecom—is widely used. Ethiopia has not imposed its own sanctions against Russia; however, any specific transfer depends on the recipient bank, correspondent chain, and standard AML/KYC checks. The federal working language is Amharic, while English is widely used in banking. Ethiopia operates its own calendar, which lags behind the Gregorian calendar by approximately 7–8 years, and traditional timekeeping begins from dawn, so dates and times in local documents may differ from the standard format. The country observes UTC+3, so the time coincides with Moscow time. ATM24 checks the available route in advance before confirming the application. The timeframe for international SWIFT credit is 2–5 business days. ATM24 commission is from 0.9%.

Currency in Ethiopia: how to get birr ETB

Pick the way that suits the recipient — we agree the route and the details before payment

To a Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or Awash Bank card in birr

Cards from Ethiopian banks credit birr; the amount in ETB is fixed in the application and is not recalculated upon receipt. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Awash Bank, Dashen Bank, Bank of Abyssinia. Ethiopian bank card - the same 16-digit card number plus the cardholder's full name in Latin characters. After the transition to a market-based rate, the amount in birr changes day by day - check the figure in your application

  • CBE
  • Dashen Bank
  • Awash Bank

To an account at an Ethiopian bank (ETB)

Ethiopian banks do not issue IBANs - the recipient is identified by the bank's SWIFT code and the account number assigned to it. From the recipient, you need three pieces of information: their bank's SWIFT code, account number, and full name in Latin characters, as in the passport. The state Commercial Bank of Ethiopia maintains the widest network of branches in the country. Currency regulation has softened after the 2024 reform, but currency operations remain under central bank control

  • CBE
  • Dashen Bank
  • Awash Bank

Cash ETB in Addis Ababa and major cities

Birr cash withdrawal: the country's banking network is wide by African standards. Addis Ababa - the capital, financial center, and headquarters of the African Union. Outside major cities, transactions remain predominantly cash-based. It is best to clarify in advance which city is convenient for the recipient to withdraw cash

  • Addis Ababa
  • Dire Dawa
  • Mekele

In Ethiopia, the recipient's account is identified not by IBAN, but by a combination of three pieces of information: the bank's SWIFT code, account number, and full name in Latin characters. The key distinguishing feature of this direction from previous years is the exchange rate regime: until 2024, the birr was held administratively, now it is market-based, and the conversion of Ethiopian birr to rubles is at the daily rate. This is why the amount in ETB is fixed at the time of application: it will not change by the time of transfer. There are no sanctions-related restrictions on this direction. Check with the recipient about the bank and branch city - the network in the country is wide, but not uniform everywhere.

Rates and cost of a transfer to Ethiopia

We accept RUB, USD, EUR and USDT — we pay out in ETB

Reference rate for today

  • RUB ETB

    1.86per 1 RUB

    10 000 ₽ = 18 570 ETB
  • USD ETB

    166.5per 1 USD

    100 $ = 16 650 ETB
  • EUR ETB

    188.71per 1 EUR

    100 € = 18 871 ETB
  • USDT ETB

    166.5per 1 USDT

    100 USDT = 16 650 ETB

What the recipient gets — at 1 USDT = 166.5 ETB

You sendPayout in ETB
100 USDT16 650 ETB
300 USDT49 950 ETB
500 USDT83 251 ETB
1 000 USDT166 501 ETB
5 000 USDT832 507 ETB
Reference values update automatically. The final fee and rate are locked in the request before payment.

Banks and payment infrastructure — Ethiopia

Where recipients usually get the money in Ethiopia

  • CBE

    SWIFT: verify; Description: State-owned; the largest bank in the country with the widest network

  • Dashen Bank

    SWIFT: verify; Description: One of the leading private banks

  • Awash Bank

    SWIFT: verify; Description: Ethiopia's first private bank

  • Bank of Abyssinia

    SWIFT: verify; Description: Private bank with historic brand

  • Wegagen Bank

    Wegagen Bank — a local bank with standard account and cash services. Transfer availability depends on the details, currency, and bank rules.

How payments work in Ethiopia

  • National currency

    The national currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB), whose exchange rate has been formed on a more market-based basis since 2024.

  • Card systems

    Visa and Mastercard are available through major banks in Addis Ababa. Telebirr (Ethio Telecom) is the largest mobile wallet with more than 40 million users. CBE Birr (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia) is also popular. International cards are accepted in hotels and supermarkets.

  • Interbank transfers

    Telebirr (Ethio Telecom) supports incoming international transfers directly to an EthSwitch account. For bank transfers, SWIFT is used through Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBETETAA) and Awash Bank (AWINETAA). IBAN is not used in Ethiopia.

  • Financial regulator

    National Bank of Ethiopia - the central bank and primary financial regulator of the country; located in Addis Ababa. The IBAN format is not used in Ethiopia: for international transfers, the bank's SWIFT/BIC and account number are used.

  • Payment applications

    Telebirr (Ethio Telecom) - the country's largest mobile money system: more than 40 million users. CBE Birr (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia) and HelloCash accept international transfers. M-Birr (FINCA Ethiopia) is popular in rural areas.

  • Features for ATM24

    Ethiopia has not imposed its own sanctions against Russia; since 2024, the country is a member of BRICS.

With an ATM24 transfer the recipient gives their own bank and details, so the money lands directly on the account.

How the transfer works to Ethiopia

Three steps from request to payout

  1. Step

    Send a request

    Fill in the form or write to us on WhatsApp or Telegram — a manager will check the available route

  2. Step

    Agree the route

    We check the recipient details and confirm the route, rate, fee and payout amount

  3. Step

    Pay for the transfer

    Once paid, the transfer goes out along the agreed route — we report the status in the messenger

What to prepare for the transfer

To an account at an Ethiopian bank (ETB)

  • From the recipient, you need three pieces of information: their bank's SWIFT code, account number, and full name in Latin characters, as in the passport

We verify the exact details when agreeing the available route before payment.

Why people choose ATM24

Facts, not promises

No surprises on the rate

You see the rate, the fee and the payout amount before you send the money.

Request to EthiopiaLocked in
Rate
1 USDT = 166.5 ETB
Payout method
Bank transfer
Payout currency
ETB
The rate and the amount are locked when the request is confirmed and do not change afterwards.

Terms are known before payment

The route, rate, fee and payout amount are agreed before payment.

  • Route
  • Rate
  • Payout amount

Cash payout

Reference cities with payout locations. Availability of a specific location is confirmed in the request.

  • Addis Ababa
  • Dire Dawa
  • Mekele

Confirm the city before payment

Available payout options

Only methods present in both the country description and the current route are shown.

You send
  • RUB
  • USD
  • EUR
  • USDT
ETB
They receive
  • Bank transfer
  • Cash

Customer reviews

Real stories from real people

Юрий Иванович

Google

RUB-Baht exchange via terminal successful, manager Sofa explained everything promptly, they gave an increased rate for the first exchange. I recommend.👍👍👍 PS The exchanger I used before dispensed only 1000 baht through the terminal, citing limits.

Read full review

Максим Иванов

Google

A wonderful girl, Sofa, helped us promptly and without stress to withdraw cash from an ATM via QR code!!! Perfect!

Read full review

Roman Fateev

Google

Everything is excellent, the courier arrived on time, the exchange went smoothly

Read full review

Transfers to other countries

We agree the rate and the payout method before payment — pick where the money goes.

Frequently asked questions about currency in Ethiopia and transfers from Russia

We have collected answers about currency in Ethiopia, the conversion of birr to rubles, and how the transition to a market-based exchange rate in 2024 has changed things.

How can I send money to Ethiopia with payout in ETB through ATM24?

To send money to Ethiopia with payout in ETB through ATM24, start with the recipient's exact route for the Ethiopia ETB payout route. ATM24 confirms the amount, payment method, fee from 0.9%, timing from 15 minutes, and bank such as Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

Can the recipient receive a transfer on a card or bank account in Ethiopia in ETB?

A card or bank-account payout in Ethiopia in ETB is possible only when the selected route supports it. ATM24 verifies whether the recipient's card, account number, and name match the Ethiopia ETB payout route. The manager confirms the selected bank, such as Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or Awash Bank, before payment because card and account rules may differ. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

Which banks can receive a transfer to Ethiopia in ETB?

For bank payout in Ethiopia, useful ETB references include Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank. ATM24 treats the bank named by the recipient as the working route and checks recipient name, account data, and route availability. The sender pays after that bank route is confirmed.

What recipient details are needed to send money to Ethiopia in ETB?

For Ethiopia, ATM24 does not use one universal recipient form for every ETB transfer. The details are checked by route: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank, card payout, account payout. Name, account/card data, and payout currency must match the selected option. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

How long does a money transfer to Ethiopia in ETB take?

An ETB transfer to Ethiopia can start from 15 minutes after ATM24 confirms the recipient route. Timing depends on amount, recipient details, and Ethiopia ETB payout route, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, card route, account route, and separate checks for Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Awash Bank. The expected payout window is shown before payment. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

What is the fee for sending money to Ethiopia with payout in ETB?

The ATM24 fee for sending money to Ethiopia with payout in ETB starts from 0.9% on the Ethiopia ETB payout route. The final calculation depends on the amount, payment currency, payout method, exchange rate, and the recipient's bank. If the sender pays by an international card or through a bank transfer, the card issuer or sending bank may charge its own foreign transaction, conversion, transfer, or dynamic currency conversion fee. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

Can I pay by international card, bank transfer, or USDT while the recipient receives ETB in Ethiopia?

Yes, ATM24 can calculate a transfer to Ethiopia in ETB where the sender pays by card, bank transfer, USDT, or another available method. ATM24 checks the Ethiopia ETB payout route, payment currency, exchange conditions, bank details such as Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or Awash Bank, and the final payout amount. Sender-side card or bank fees are separate from the ATM24 calculation. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

What is the minimum and maximum transfer amount to Ethiopia in ETB?

For Ethiopia, the minimum ETB transfer through ATM24 starts from 100 USD or the equivalent. The upper limit is route-based: the manager checks Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, recipient details, payout method, and document requirements before payment. A route through Dashen Bank may have different limits than a card or non-bank payout. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

What documents are needed for a large transfer to Ethiopia in ETB?

For a large ETB transfer to Ethiopia, ATM24 reviews documents around Ethiopia ETB payout route, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, recipient-name match, route limit, payment purpose, source-of-funds review, and separate checks for Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Awash Bank. The request may require sender ID, source-of-funds details, recipient bank data, and payment purpose. The manager confirms the exact list before payment. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

How much will the recipient get in ETB if I send 1000 USD to Ethiopia?

If you send 1000 USD to Ethiopia, the recipient amount in ETB is not a generic market-rate number: 166,501.33 ETB. The calculation uses the payout route, bank such as Awash Bank, fee from 0.9%, and exchange conditions. ATM24 confirms the final amount before the sender pays. Bank-route examples for Ethiopia: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, Nib International Bank, and Abay Bank.

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Send money to Ethiopia with ATM24

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