Area Code 1147 – Addis Ababa

Geographic Overview

The +251 1147 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the central administrative zone of Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This code falls within the historic 011 area code block that serves the city’s landline network, specifically covering the central business district and surrounding residential neighborhoods. As a geographic number, +251 1147 routes calls over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to fixed-line subscribers, typically operated by Ethio Telecom, the country’s incumbent telecommunications provider.

Dialing Format and Usage

For international callers, the complete number comprises the country code +251, followed by the NDC (1147) and the subscriber’s seven-digit line number, yielding a total length of 12 digits in international format (e.g., +251 1147 123456). Domestically, callers within Ethiopia must dial the full national significant number, which includes the leading trunk prefix '0' followed by the NDC and subscriber number: 01147 123456. This format applies to calls made from other regions within Ethiopia, as well as from mobile phones. When dialing from within Addis Ababa itself, local callers may omit the area code and dial only the seven-digit subscriber number, provided they are on the same fixed-line exchange. However, due to the implementation of overlay and unified dialing plans in major cities, it is recommended to always use the full national format to avoid misrouted calls.

Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 1147 prefix is allocated to the Addis Ababa City Administration, which is a chartered city with its own government structure. It serves key districts such as Arada, Kirkos, Yeka, and Bole, encompassing government offices, embassies, financial institutions, and commercial enterprises. The geographic nature of the code means that it is tied to physical locations, and subscribers are generally required to have a fixed-line connection, although some VoIP services may present caller ID with this prefix.

Caller Instructions

For international callers: dial your country’s exit code (e.g., 00 or 011), then 251, followed by 1147 and the local number. For callers within Ethiopia: dial 0, then 1147, then the local number. Ensure you have the correct seven-digit subscriber number, as Ethiopian fixed-line numbers are often published with the area code included. Note that calls to this prefix are billed as fixed-line rates, which are generally lower than mobile rates. If you are calling from a mobile phone, the same national format applies.