The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:

• the whole of Tigray regional state
• all areas within 30km of the border with Tigray regional state inand Amhara
• within 100km30kms of the border with TigraySudan, regionalexcept statethose tospecified theelsewhere northin ofthis Ansebaadvice and including Lalibela town inand Afar,the D31 road connecting Tigray to Lalibela.
• The A2 road north of Wichale and surrounding areas within 30km20km of the borderA2 withroad.
• Gashena Tigraytown, regionalthe stateB22 toroad theeast south of AnsebaGashena townand insurrounding Afarcountryside areas within 20km of the B22.
• the wholenorthwest of GambellaAfar regional state
• north of- (butDalol, notKenebo, including)Berahle, theAba’ala A4and roadMegale inworedas Westof ShewaZone Zone,2; and southareas andwithin west10km of (but not including) the A3border inwith NorthTigray Shewaregional Zonestate.
• the inwhole theof OromiaGambella regional state.state
• the West Wollega Zone, East Wollega Zone, Kellem Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega in the Oromia regional state

• the whole of the Metekel Zone and Maokomo Special zone in the Benishangul Gumuz regional state

• withinthe 20Konso kmSpecial Woreda of the borderSouthern withNations, SudanNationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR)
• within 10 km of the border with South Sudan

• within 100 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, with the exception of border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and WajaleWajale.

• within 10 km of the border with Kenya,Sudan withand the exceptionother parts of principalthe roads/towns
• withinKenyan 10kmborder, ofwith the borderexception withof Eritreaprincipal roads/towns

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• the A2 road from Wichale to Dessie, and surrounding/countryside areas within 20km of the A2 road.
• in Ethiopian Somali Regional State, the Siti zone, the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder), and the areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders
• in Amhara regional state, all areas north of the WestA3, GujiB22 and GujiA2 zonesroads; inand to the Oromiaeast regionalof statethe A2 and north of the B11 (northeast of Dessie)
• the KonsoTelelak, SpecialDewe, WoredaArturna and Fursi woredas of Zone 5; Yalo, Gulina and Ewa woredas in Zone 4 (apart from all areas south of the SouthernChifra Nations,– Nationalities,Semera highway); Afdera woreda in Zone 2, with the exception of the road to Afdera town, including the town of Afdera); and Peoples’within Region10km (SNNPR)of the border with Eritrea in Afar regional state
• the West Guji and Guji zones, and Bale Mountains area in the Oromia regional state
• the rest of the Benishangul Gumuz regional state

There is a military conflict ongoing in northern Ethiopia. In. A cessation of hostilities was agreed in March 2022, but in mid-August fighting between the Ethiopian National Defence Force and Tigrayan forces resumed.resumed Asalong ofsome 1parts Novemberof 2022,the fightingborder hasbetween movedTigray furtherregion intoand Tigray,Amhara butand thereAfar remains a risk of armed clashes in the border areas with Tigray.regions.

The conflict has potential to escalate and spread quickly and with little warning. The FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region and to parts of northern Amhara region and western Afar region. If you are in Tigray region, you should leave where safe to do so. If you are in the vicinity of military activity and you cannot leave safely, you should stay indoors, away from windows and remain alert to developments that would enable you to leave safely. See Tigray Region, Amhara Region, and Afar Region.

On 20 July, Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the towns of Aato, Yeed and Washaaqo, near to the border between Somalia and Ethiopia. Al-Shabaab has indicated its intention to commit further attacks in the area and there may be further fighting. Travellers in Somali Regional State should remain vigilant at all times.

There have been reports that Al Shabaab fighters are present in the Bale Mountains area of Oromia. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to this area. Travellers to this area should remain vigilant at all times.

There have been reports of incidents along the Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar road, including those of armed men attacking vehicles. These usually take place in the early hours when there is poor visibility. You should exercise additional caution and avoid traveling in the dark or when visibility is poor. See Amhara Region

There has been an increase in sporadic conflicts between armed groups in Oromia region and Amhara region. These are mostly reported to be taking place in rural areas of Oromia region, with limited clashes in Amhara region, including in urban areas. Air strikes against armed groups in the West Shewa zone have been reported. The FCDO advises against all travel to areas north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa Zone, and south and west of (but not including) the A3 in North Shewa Zone. You should exercise extreme caution when travelling and be aware that situations have potential to escalate quickly. See Amhara Region and Oromia Region

On 15 February a nationwide State of Emergency, was lifted by the House of People’s Representatives. Those of Tigrayan or Oromo ethnicity may continue to face increased scrutiny, including at the airport and through direct police operations. You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. You should carry copies of ID, avoid possession of foreign currency and possession of weapons. You should avoid confrontation and follow the instructions of the authorities. You should monitor local news and social media closely for further updates. See Addis Ababa

Conflict has broken out in Gambella with heavy gunfire reported on 14 June. See Gambella

The current political and security situation means that the consular support the British Embassy can provide may be limited. If you need urgent help, call +251 (0)11 617 0100. If you experience technical difficulties or if you are in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

For information on returning to England from Ethiopia, see Returning to the UK.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

There are frequent incidences of civil unrest in Ethiopia, including protests and strikes. Some of these can cause temporary closure of roads, internet and mobile networks or disruption to local businesses and transport. In the past some protests have escalated into serious violence. See Local travel

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Ethiopia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like transport hubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and places of worship and during major gatherings like religious or sporting events. There is a threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and on the southern border with Kenya, particularly in the eastern areas to which the FCDO advise against all travel. See Terrorism

Internet connections in Ethiopia, including mobile data, can be intermittent.

Ethiopia is primarily a cash based society and banking facilities, including card payments and ATMs are very limited outside major cities. See Money

There is an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You may see some additional checks taking place at arrival on all flights into Bole Airport in Addis Ababa. See Health

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.