Area Code 1122 – Addis Ababa

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +251 1122 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the central zone of Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This code is part of the 11xx series that serves the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, with 1122 specifically allocated to the central business district and surrounding administrative sub-cities. The jurisdiction falls under the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA), which regulates all telecommunications services in the country. Subscribers under this prefix are typically connected to the fixed PSTN network operated by Ethio Telecom, the sole incumbent operator.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

In the international format, a number under this prefix is written as +251 1122 XXX XX, where the total number length after the country code is 9 digits. The NDC '1122' is followed by a 5-digit subscriber number. For local calls within Ethiopia, callers must dial 01122 XXX XX, omitting the country code but retaining the trunk prefix '0'. For calls originating from abroad, the format is +251 1122 XXX XX. It is important to note that the leading '0' is only used for domestic dialing and must be dropped when dialing from outside the country.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Addis Ababa): Dial the full 9-digit number starting with '01122', e.g., 01122 123 45.
• Callers from other regions in Ethiopia: Dial the same 9-digit number, as the trunk prefix '0' is required.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most countries), then 251 1122 XXX XX. For example, from the United States, dial 011 251 1122 123 45.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Addis Ababa has multiple geographic area codes, including 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, each serving different parts of the city. The 1122 prefix is specific to the central zone, and there is no overlay code; each subscriber number is unique within the 1122 prefix. As of the latest ECA guidelines, number portability is not yet fully implemented for fixed lines, so subscribers typically retain their prefix when changing service providers, but this is not a common scenario due to the monopoly structure.

Practical Examples

For instance, a government office in the central district might have the number +251 1122 456 78. A foreign business partner would dial 011 251 1122 456 78 from the US, while a local resident would dial 01122 456 78. Understanding this format is essential for seamless communication with businesses and institutions located in the heart of Ethiopia's capital.