Ethiopia ATM Travel Guide
ATMs in Ethiopia don’t usually pose any challenges, however if there are no ATMs close by or the ATMs in Ethiopia are not working with your card, check back here for our guide below.
It explains how you can send yourself money online and pick it up at an authorized local cash pick up point. It is also useful if you want to avoid paying ATM fees / withdraw more than ATM limits allow.
Being a very similar process to buying something online with your debit card, it’s probably the quickest way to send money to yourself in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia ATM Fees & General Information
Most ATMs in Ethiopia charge a minimum fee, so it is best to withdraw the maximum amount allowed or the fees can really add up.
You will also probably get charged a fee by your own bank.
Having a Wise (formerly TransferWise) MasterCard can help reduce your home bank fees and gives a great exchange rate on purchases. With their borderless account / card you can hold your money in more than 40 currencies and use the debit card to get your cash out with low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. Click here for more info.
Withdrawal limits depend on the bank, and generally range from 4000 to 5000 Birr. This means multiple transactions are often needed and transaction fees can mount up.
Major hotels take debit/credit cards, often with a surcharge of 2.5 -10%, but cheaper accommodations, tourist sites and smaller restaurants tend to only take cash.
You’ll find Visa is the most commonly accepted card at ATMs in Ethiopia, however there are an increasing number that also accept Cirrus/MasterCard.
Unfortunately, ATM fraud in Ethiopia is not uncommon….. Check out our Travel Money Tips for what to look out for with regards to Skimmers and more general information covering pre-trip planning, fees, scams, and general safety.
Getting Cash Without Using The ATMs In Ethiopia:
– Send Money To Ethiopia & Pick Cash Up Locally
With so many overseas workers now sending money home to their families, there are lots of local cash pick up points to collect these funds.
By tapping into this network, you can use your ATM card (debit/credit) or bank details to securely send yourself funds online through a reputable International money transfer service. See below for online services that have partnerships with domestic money transfer agents in Ethiopia where you can pick up your money within a few hours.
This means when there’s no ATM you can still withdraw cash within a few hours, and what’s more, it’s often more convenient, safe and cheaper than paying ATM withdrawal fees.
Option 1: World Remit
Check HERE to see if there is a local authorized cash pick-up point where you are. There are lots of pick up points in Ethiopia!
If there’s a branch locally, then download the World Remit App HERE.
Make your transfer and use the promo code ‘FREE’ to get your first transfer FEE-FREE!
They also offer £5 cashback once you send £50 or more by signing up using refer a friend code MARKT64
Option 2: Ria Money Transfer, Panda Remit, Sendwave & Transfergo
Ria Money Transfer, Panda Remit, Sendwave & Transfergo all work the same way as WorldRemit.
Explore what transfer you may make and what options you have to pick up cash somewhere close by.
Follow this link for Ria Money Transfer, this link for Panda Remit, this link for Sendwave and this link for Transfergo and
This may involve making an account / downloading their app.
Option 3 :
Moneygram and Western Union also offer similar services but can be a little pricier.
Sending Money To A Bank Account Instead
Option 1: World Remit
You can also use the above method to quickly transfer money to an overseas bank account, perhaps to pay for your accommodation or an activity.
For more information visit this FAQs section.
Option 2: Wise (formerly TransferWise)
This another service that also offers bank transfers. If you are new to the service, and follow THIS LINK, you will automatically pay NO FEES on your first transfer of up to £500 (or the equivalent amount in any other currency).
Arguably the best thing about them is that they give you the mid-market rate on the currency exchange, so it’s much cheaper than a traditional bank to bank wire transfer. You won’t need any SWIFT or IBAN numbers, just the name of the account holder, their account number, the bank name and branch location.
Option 3 : Xe Money Transfer or OFX
Xe Money Transfer have a handy app for converting currencies quickly. You can also send money directly through their app. Follow this link to see options.
OFX also offer bank to bank transfer, either through their website or app. Follow this link for more info.
We update this guide every month or so, however, if you have any feedback to help keep this guide up-to-date or make it more comprehensive and easier for others to follow, please Message us on Facebook
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