Area Code 1160 – Addis Ababa

Overview of Area Code 1160

Area code 1160 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Addis Ababa region in Ethiopia. It is part of the country's national numbering plan under the ITU-T E.164 standard. The code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the capital city and its immediate administrative zones. Addis Ababa is the political and economic hub of Ethiopia, hosting numerous government institutions, embassies, international organizations, and corporate headquarters.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 1160 prefix covers the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods within the Addis Ababa City Administration. This includes areas such as Arada, Kirkos, Yeka, Bole, and Nifas Silk-Lafto, among others. As a geographic code, it is tied to the physical location of the subscriber's line, and calls to these numbers are routed via the terrestrial PSTN infrastructure.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

When dialing a number with the 1160 code, the format depends on the caller's location:

• Local calls (within Addis Ababa): Dial only the subscriber number, typically 7 digits, e.g., 1234567. However, due to the current 10-digit national numbering plan, local calls may require the full NDC and subscriber number, i.e., 011601234 (where '0' is the trunk prefix).
• National calls (from other regions of Ethiopia): Dial the trunk prefix 0, then the area code and subscriber number: 011 601 234.
• International calls (from abroad): Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries), then Ethiopia's country code +251, followed by the area code without the leading '0', and the subscriber number: +251 11 601 234.

For example, a caller in the United States would dial 011 251 11 601 234 to reach a fixed line in Addis Ababa with the 1160 prefix.

Overlay Considerations and Numbering Plan

Ethiopia adopted a unified numbering plan in 2005, which standardized all numbers to 9 digits (including the leading '0' for national dialing). The 1160 code is part of the 11x series assigned to Addis Ababa. No overlay codes are currently in effect for this area; the 1160 prefix is exclusively used for fixed-line services. Mobile numbers in Ethiopia are identified by prefixes starting with 9 (e.g., 91, 92, 93) and are not subject to geographic routing.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Addis Ababa, it is essential to include the trunk prefix '0' when dialing from a mobile phone, as mobile networks require full national numbering. For international callers, always omit the leading '0' after the country code. Ensure that you have the correct subscriber number, as fixed-line numbers in Addis Ababa are typically 7 digits long when combined with the 1160 code.