Current Time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
ኢትዮጵያ
Dialling: +251
City Details
Addis Ababa
አዲስ አበባ
Lat: 8.9806° N
Long: 38.7578° E
Population: 3,000,000
Time Zone
Africa/Addis_Ababa
GMT+3
Public Holidays in Ethiopia
No holiday data available for this country.
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Addis Ababa
Business Hours in Addis Ababa
Sunrise & Sunset in Addis Ababa Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Addis Ababa Tonight
Overview
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the diplomatic capital of Africa, with approximately 5.7 million residents as of 2025. At 2,355m above sea level it is one of the world's highest capital cities. It serves as the seat of the African Union, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and more African and international organisations than any other city on the continent. The city grew from a hilltop royal camp in 1886 to Africa's fourth-largest city in under 140 years.
Administrative Region
Addis Ababa City Administration (autonomous federal city)
ET-AA
Local Currency
Br
Metadata
- Web Domain.et
- ISO CodeET-AA
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II — though the site was chosen by his empress Taytu Betul, who preferred the warm springs at the foot of the Entoto Hills to the cold mountain settlements above. Taytu named the settlement Addis Ababa meaning 'New Flower' in Amharic. It became the permanent capital of the Ethiopian Empire in 1889. The city expanded rapidly after the construction of the Franco-Ethiopian railway to Djibouti in 1917, which ended its landlocked isolation.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •National Museum of Ethiopia — home of 'Lucy', the oldest known hominid
- •Merkato — Africa's largest open-air market
- •Ethiopian Ethnological Museum (Haile Selassie's former palace)
- •Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Entoto Hills viewpoint
- •Lalibela UNESCO rock-hewn churches (1 hr by air)
🎒 Visitor Tip
Addis has two seasons — the rainy season (June–September) and the dry season (October–May). The National Museum of Ethiopia in the university compound holds 'Lucy', the 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus skeleton, and is the most important archaeological museum in Africa. The Merkato — Africa's largest open-air market — is an overwhelming sensory experience; go with a guide. Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a local café is an essential cultural ritual. The Lalibela rock-hewn churches are a 1-hour flight north.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located in the Ethiopian Highlands on the edge of the East African Rift Valley at 2,355m above sea level. The city is built on a series of hills and valleys in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains (highest point 3,200m) to the north, which form a dramatic backdrop to the city. The terrain is significantly undulating with elevation ranging from 2,100m in the south to over 3,000m at the Entoto plateau. Several small rivers drain southward from the Entoto through the city.
Climate Stats
Subtropical highland (Köppen Cwb/Cfb)
Avg Summer
16°C
Avg Winter
10°C
Annual Rainfall
1200 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Addis Ababa
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Addis Ababa
What timezone is Addis Ababa in?↓
Addis Ababa is in the Africa/Addis_Ababa time zone (Africa/Addis_Ababa), currently UTCGMT+3.
Does Ethiopia observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Ethiopia does not observe daylight saving time. Addis Ababa stays on Addis_Ababa (UTCGMT+3) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is Addis_Ababa?↓
Addis_Ababa stands for Africa/Addis_Ababa. It is UTCGMT+3 and is the standard time used in Ethiopia.
How many hours ahead is Addis Ababa compared to London?↓
Addis Ababa is 3 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 2 hours.
What is the time difference between Addis Ababa and New York?↓
Addis Ababa is 8 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Addis Ababa?↓
The time displayed for Addis Ababa is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+3 mean for Addis Ababa?↓
UTCGMT+3 means Addis Ababa is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Addis Ababa?↓
Standard business hours in Addis Ababa are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Addis_Ababa (UTCGMT+3). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Ethiopia national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Addis Ababa and London?↓
Addis Ababa is within a few hours of London, so scheduling calls is usually straightforward. Always confirm the current local time in both cities, especially around daylight saving time changes.