Ethiopia uses 220 volts at 50 hertz, and most sockets take the two round pins of a European plug (types C and F), with Italian-style type L sockets also common. Pack a plug adapter unless your devices already have European round-pin plugs, and check that each charger is rated for 220 V.

Sockets are more mixed than in most of Europe, so a flexible adapter is the safest choice. Below is what to pack, what to check before you leave, and how to cope with the power cuts that still happen in Addis Ababa. And if your phone is flat when you land, it matters less when a driver is already waiting for you: we meet customers in Bole arrivals and take them straight to their hotel.

What voltage and frequency does Ethiopia use?

The mains supply is 220 volts at 50 hertz. You may see 230 V quoted in some places, but the difference does not matter in practice: anything built for Europe, the UK, most of Africa or Asia will run normally.

If you are coming from North America or anywhere else with a 100-120 V supply, check your devices before you plug them in (see below).

Which plug types are used in Ethiopia?

Sockets vary from building to building, so here is what you are likely to meet:

• Type C (two round pins, the slim European plug): fits almost everywhere. This is the plug to plan around.
• Type F (two round pins with earthing clips, often called Schuko): very common, and many wall sockets are this type. Type C plugs fit them.
• Type L (three round pins in a line, the Italian standard): also common in Addis. The smaller type L socket accepts a slim type C plug too.
• Type G (three flat pins, the British plug): some households and hotels have added universal sockets that accept British plugs, but don't count on it.
• Type E (French, with a pin in the socket): very rare in Ethiopia.

The upshot: a type C plug or adapter will fit the majority of sockets you meet. If you want to be covered for everything, bring a universal adapter that also handles British plugs.

Do you need a voltage converter?

Look at the small print on each charger or power brick. If it says something like INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60Hz, it is dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter. Most phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers are like this.

If a device says 110 V or 120 V only, plugging it straight into 220 V can destroy it. Hair dryers, straighteners and other high-power appliances from North America are the usual problem. Either use a proper voltage converter or leave them at home. The frequency is also different (50 Hz rather than 60 Hz), which can matter for some appliances with motors or clocks.

How do you check your devices before you pack?

1. Gather every charger and appliance. Phone, laptop, camera, e-reader, electric toothbrush, shaver, hair tools, CPAP or other medical devices.
2. Read the input rating on each one. It is printed on the plug, the brick or the base of the device. A range such as 100-240 V means it works on Ethiopia's 220 V supply.
3. Separate out single-voltage items. Anything marked 110 V, 120 V or 125 V only needs a voltage converter, or should stay at home.
4. Count how many things you charge at once. A multi-port USB charger means you only need one adapter per socket.
5. Know what your adapter does. A plug adapter changes the shape of the pins, not the voltage. Make sure you know which of the two you are packing.

Medical devices deserve extra care. If you depend on one, check its voltage range with the manufacturer, pack a spare power supply if you can, and ask your hotel in advance whether it has backup power.

Where can you buy adapters in Ethiopia?

It is easiest to bring one from home. You may find adapters in Addis, and it is worth asking at your hotel reception, but you cannot count on getting the exact one you need on your first evening. If you need to pick one up, a driver by the day makes it easy to stop at a few shops in one trip rather than hunting on foot.

Are power cuts common in Ethiopia?

They do happen, including in Addis Ababa. The capital saw frequent blackouts in late 2024, blamed on unbalanced consumption and outdated infrastructure such as overloaded transformers, and there were nationwide blackouts in March and December 2024. If steady power matters to you, ask your hotel whether it has a backup generator.

When we book hotels for our customers, you can tell us what matters to you, such as backup power for a medical device or for working online, and we will ask the hotel before we book. A few simple habits help too:

• Carry a charged power bank, especially on day trips and long drives.
• Charge whenever you can, rather than waiting until the battery is low.
• Pack a small torch or use your phone's, for power cuts in the evening.
• Use a surge-protected adapter or power strip for laptops and cameras if you have one, since the supply can fluctuate when power returns.
• Ask your hotel whether it has backup power if you rely on medical devices or need to work online.