Area Code 1120 – Addis Ababa

Overview of +251 1120

The country calling code +251 is assigned to Ethiopia under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan. The national significant number (NSN) for geographic numbers in Addis Ababa typically consists of nine digits following the country code. The prefix 1120 is a geographic area code allocated to the capital city, Addis Ababa, and its immediate surroundings. It functions as a National Destination Code (NDC) for fixed-line PSTN services within the city's administrative jurisdiction.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Addis Ababa is a chartered city and serves as the political and economic capital of Ethiopia. The 1120 code covers the central and some northern districts of the city, including areas such as Arada, Kirkos, and parts of Yeka. This code is distinct from other Addis Ababa area codes (e.g., 1111, 1112) that serve different zones or were introduced later due to numbering expansion. The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) administers the allocation of these codes, ensuring that each geographic area has a unique identifier for routing calls.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For local callers within Addis Ababa, the area code is often dialed as part of the full national number. For example, to call a fixed line in the 1120 area, you would dial 01120XXXXX (where XXXXX represents the five-digit subscriber number). However, some local calls may allow omitting the initial '0' if the call is within the same exchange, but this is not standard for all networks. For international callers, the format is +251 1120 XXXXX or 011 251 1120 XXXXX when dialing from a country that uses the international access prefix '011' (e.g., from the US). It is crucial to drop the leading '0' of the area code when dialing from abroad.

Numbering Structure and Overlay Considerations

Ethiopian fixed-line numbers are typically nine digits long, including the leading '0' of the area code. Thus, a complete national number would be 01120XXXXX (11 digits including the trunk prefix '0'). There have been no overlay codes for Addis Ababa as of the latest updates, meaning that 1120 remains the sole code for its designated area. However, due to increasing demand, the ECA has introduced additional area codes within the city, such as 1111 and 1112, to serve other districts. This does not affect the dialing plan for 1120 numbers, but it is essential for callers to verify the correct code for the specific destination.

Practical Calling Examples

• Local call (within Ethiopia): Dial 01120XXXXX.
• International call from the US: Dial 011 251 1120 XXXXX.
• International call from the UK: Dial 00 251 1120 XXXXX.

When storing contacts, it is recommended to use the international format +251 1120 XXXXX to ensure compatibility across different networks and when traveling.