Area Code 1145 – Addis Ababa

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The Ethiopian country code +251, followed by the national destination code (NDC) 1145, routes calls to a specific geographic area within Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is a chartered city, functioning as both a city and a state (kilil), and serves as the seat of the African Union and numerous international organizations. The 1145 prefix is part of the 11xx block assigned to fixed-line services in the greater Addis Ababa region, which includes central business districts, government offices, embassies, and residential neighborhoods. Unlike mobile prefixes, this code is tied to a physical location, and the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) historically managed these lines, now operated by Ethio Telecom, the state-owned monopoly.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

For international callers, the full number comprises the country code +251, the area code 1145, and a subscriber number that is typically 5 to 6 digits long, resulting in a total length of 12 digits when dialed in international format (e.g., +251 1145 12345). For local calls within Ethiopia, callers must dial the area code (including the leading 0) followed by the subscriber number, omitting the country code. For example, a local caller in Addis Ababa would dial 01145 12345, while a caller from another region would dial 01145 12345 as well, as domestic trunk prefix is 0. It is crucial to note that the Ethiopian numbering plan uses a closed dialing format, meaning the area code is always dialed regardless of the caller's location.

Caller Instructions and Practical Considerations

For international callers, the recommended format is +251 1145 XXXXXX, where XXXXXX represents the subscriber number. Ensure you replace the leading zero of the area code with the +251 country code. For example, to call a number listed as 01145 12345, you would dial +251 1145 12345. For local callers, simply dial 01145 12345. If you are using a mobile phone, you may need to include the +251 prefix even when dialing locally, depending on your carrier's settings. Overlay plans have not been implemented in Addis Ababa, so the 1145 code is unique to this area. However, due to the growing demand for fixed-line services, some new numbers may be assigned under other 11xx codes, but 1145 remains active for existing subscribers.

Technical and Regulatory Notes

Fixed-line services in Ethiopia are predominantly based on PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) infrastructure, with increasing migration to VoIP for international calls. The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) oversees the numbering plan, and number portability is not yet widely available for fixed lines. For businesses, having a 1145 number signals a physical presence in Addis Ababa, which can be important for local credibility. However, with the rise of cloud-based telephony, some companies may use such numbers for virtual offices, but the geographic tie remains. When dialing from abroad, be mindful of time zone differences (EAT, UTC+3) and potential delays during peak hours.