cbe

157.4981
USD
154.6099
157.7021
160.2332
,
0
GBP
202.9632
207.0225
207.0482
,
183.4853
EUR
179.1929
182.7767
181.5433
,
0
CHF
192.301
196.147
0
,
0
SEK
16.0522
16.3733
17.0303
,
0
NOK
15.9837
16.3034
16.4764
,
0
DKK
23.4209
23.8894
0
,
0
DJF
0.8706
0.888
0
,
0
JPY
0.9454
0.9644
0
,
111.2341
CAD
108.9121
111.0904
111.1262
,
41.9492
SAR
41.1909
42.0147
42.9662
,
0
AED
42.0982
42.9402
44.1067
,
1.6588
INR
1.6229
1.6554
0
,
0
KES
1.1981
1.222
0
,
0
AUD
106.2078
108.332
0
,
0
ZAR
9.3158
9.5021
0
,
0
CNY
22.3802
22.8278
0
,
0
KWD
493.9374
503.8161
0

awash

abyssinia

158.4673
USD
155.7839
158.8996
156.6752
,
212.7647
GBP
209.1896
213.3734
212.2866
,
187.8503
EUR
184.417
188.1053
187.0779
,
45.3297
AED
44.4499
45.3389
45.3316
,
0
CHF
194.9773
198.8768
,
0
SEK
16.3884
16.7162
,
0
NOK
16.4611
16.7903
,
0
CAD
111.6695
113.9029
113.66
,
44.7586
SAR
43.8897
44.7675
44.7576
,
0
CNY
22.9708
23.4302
23.3938

abay

161.673
USD
157.3918
160.5396
159.592
,
0
GBP
212.0697
216.3111
212.0697
,
0
EUR
183.3929
187.0608
183.3929
,
0
AED
42.8557
43.7128
42.8557

zemen

160.3349
USD
155.6104
158.7226
157.8814
,
188.5557
EUR
184.2866
187.9723
187.3224
,
0
GBP
209.18
213.3636
209.1749
,
0
SEK
16.3702
16.6976
0
,
0
AED
42.3637
43.211
0
,
0
CAD
111.5571
113.7882
0
,
0
CHF
194.762
198.6572
0
,
0
NOK
16.4247
16.7532
0

buna

0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989
,
0
JPY
0.9793
0.9989

nib

161.7656
USD
154.6162
157.7086
156.56
,
0
GBP
207.1239
211.2664
0
,
0
EUR
178.6281
182.2007
0
,
0
CHF
193.8032
197.6793
0
,
0
CAD
111.0031
113.2232
0
,
0
AED
42.0965
42.9384
0
,
0
SAR
41.1882
42.0119
0
,
0
ZAR
0
0
9.829

berhan

0
USD
159.3591
162.5463
,
0
EUR
184.3147
188.001
,
0
GBP
213.4775
217.747
,
0
CAD
114.3343
116.621
,
0
AED
43.389
44.2568
,
0
CNY
23.5331
24.0038

wegagen

164.3234
USD
159.6247
162.8172
161.1915
,
0
GBP
213.6417
217.9145
0
,
188.0701
EUR
184.3506
188.0376
188.0701
,
0
CHF
199.9299
203.9285
203.8961
,
0
SEK
16.8085
17.1447
0
,
0
CNY
23.5606
24.0318
0
,
0
AED
43.4658
44.3351
0
,
0
JPY
0.9897
1.0095
0

dgb

enat

0
USD
157.8594
161.0166
,
0
EUR
182.7099
186.3641
,
0
GBP
210.2084
214.4126
,
0
CAD
112.6673
114.9206
,
0
AED
42.3032
43.1492
,
0
CNY
23.0501
23.5111

ahadu

158.4657
USD
155.531
158.6416
158.4439
,
0
GBP
208.9356
213.1143
0
,
0
EUR
184.164
187.8473
0
,
0
CAD
107.3516
109.4986
,
0
SAR
40.1223
40.9247
,
0
AED
40.9667
41.786

addis

dashen

160.4748
USD
155.557
158.6681
157.4019
,
215.4022
GBP
211.5186
215.7489
211.1786
,
0
AED
45.1215
46.0239
44.9787
,
188.1259
EUR
184.8007
188.4967
184.5384
,
0
CHF
200.772
204.7874
0
,
0
KES
1.1718
1.1952
0
,
0
ZAR
8.4297
8.5983
0
,
0
SEK
14.3591
14.6463
0
,
0
JPY
1.0255
1.046
0
,
0
SAR
44.0659

sidama

0
USD
158.446
161.6149
161.6148
,
0
EUR
183.1151
186.7773
0
,
0
GBP
207.4915
211.6413
0
,
0
AED
44.4264
45.3149
0
,
0
CAD
110.6912
112.905
0
,
0
CNY
22.5414
22.9922
0
,
0
AUD
0
,
0
INR
0
,
0
JPY
0
,
0
SAR
0

oromia

162.9229
USD
129.9756
132.5751
162.2127
,
0
GBP
171.2559
174.681
0
,
0
EUR
144
146.88
0
,
0
CHF
160.0685
163.2699
0
,
0
SAR
34.649
35.342
0
,
0
AED
35.3849
36.0926
0

lion

developmentbank

0
USD
156.6282
159.7608
,
0
GBP
209.8191
214.0155
,
0
EUR
181.1562
184.7793
,
0
CHF
196.7444
200.6793
,
0
SEK
16.638
16.9707
,
0
NOK
16.5385
16.8693
,
0
DKK
24.2361
24.7208
,
0
DJF
0.8772
0.8948
,
0
JPY
0.9776
0.9971
,
0
CAD
112.3749
114.6224
,
0
SAR
41.7175
42.5518
,
0
AED
42.6454
43.4984
,
0
INR
1.6425
1.6753
,
0
KES
1.2095
1.2337
,
0
AUD
110.3916
112.5994
,
0
SDR
213.4686
217.7379
,
0
ZAR
9.5251
9.7156
,
0
CNY
23.1298
23.5924
,
0
KWD
509.6838
519.8775

coop

159.1433
USD
156.0228
159.1433
159.5294
,
212.8859
GBP
209.0122
213.1924
,
186.3414
EUR
183.0381
186.6989
182.9943
,
0
AED
44.976
45.8755
45.8245
,
0
SAR
43.9228
44.8013
,
0
CNY
20.0172
20.4175

gadaa

159.763
USD
154.5534
157.6445
154.5534
,
0
GBP
205.8051
209.9212
0
,
0
EUR
184.8039
188.5
0
,
0
CHF
134.1436
136.8265
0
,
0
SAR
33.0073
33.6674
0
,
0
AED
33.7659
34.4412
0

hijra

0
USD
154.0019
157.0819
,
0
EUR
184.915
188.6133
,
0
SAR
44.7901
45.6859
,
0
AED
46.2765
47.202

amhara

157.6003
USD
154.5101
157.6003
157.8852
,
0
GBP
207.0281
211.1686
0
,
0
EUR
178.5364
182.1071
0
,
0
CAD
110.9588
113.178
0
,
0
AED
42.0699
42.9113
0
,
0
SAR
41.1643
41.9876
0
,
0
JPY
0

tsehay

160.5126
USD
154.4971
157.587
154.4971
,
0
GBP
203.091
207.1528
0
,
0
EUR
181.909
185.5472
0
,
0
CAD
111.6947
113.9286
0
,
0
SAR
41.5913
42.4231
0
,
0
AED
41.7675
42.6029
0

tsedey

161.8505
USD
171.8505
161.8505
158.677
,
0
EUR
190.2014
185.2014
,
0
GBP
221.815
216.815
,
0
AED
47.9014
42.9014

siinqee

0
USD
155.1001
158.2021
,
0
EUR
181.2519
184.8769
,
0
GBP
205.0924
209.1942
,
0
SAR
41.7154
42.5497
,
0
CHF
178.93
182.5086
,
0
AED
42.7048
43.5589

hibret

0
USD
156.0099
159.1301
,
0
GBP
207.0929
211.2348
,
0
EUR
187.1961
190.94
,
0
AED
42.4771
43.3266
,
0
CAD
111.9313
114.1699
,
0
CNY
23.0385
23.4993
,
0
CHF
195.9677
199.8871

gohbetoch

162.7801
USD
159.5883
162.7801
159.5883
,
184.1209
EUR
180.5107
184.1209
180.5107
,
209.8616
GBP
205.7467
209.8616
205.7467
,
43.2801
AED
42.4314
43.2801
42.4314

zamzam

162.5365
USD
159.3495
162.5365
159.3495
,
216.9284
GBP
208.7094
212.8836
212.6749
,
186.4632
EUR
182.8071
186.4632
182.8071
,
205.631
CHF
197.84
201.7968
201.599
,
115.846
CAD
112.45
114.699
113.5745
,
45.6409
SAR
44.746
45.6409
44.746
,
46.6609
AED
45.746
46.6609
45.746

nbe

0
JPY
0.9874
0.9973
0
,
0
KWD
514.0036
519.1437
0
,
0
CNY
23.2925
23.5254
0
,
0
ZAR
9.5802
9.676
0
,
0
XDR
216.194
218.3559
0
,
0
EUR
182.2335
184.0558
0
,
0
AED
43.0057
43.4358
0
,
0
SAR
42.0576
42.4782
0
,
0
AUD
111.6589
112.7755
0
,
0
CAD
113.3436
114.4771
0
,
0
USD
157.9557
159.5353
0
,
0
KES
1.2202
1.2568
0
,
0
INR
1.6502
1.6667
0
,
0
DJF
0.8847
0.9112
0
,
0
DKK
24.3827
24.6265
0
,
0
NOK
16.7052
16.8722
0
,
0
SEK
16.7646
16.9322
0
,
0
CHF
198.362
200.3457
0
,
0
GBP
210.8709
212.9796
0

omo

siket

0
AUD
158.015
161.1753
159.06
,
0
GBP
210.3186
214.525
0
,
0
EUR
184.4528
188.1419
0
,
0
CHF
194.9452
198.8441
0
,
0
SAR
46.8205
47.7569
0
,
0
AED
47.6533
48.6064
0
,
0
CNY
28.209
28.7732
0
,
0
KWD
492.133
501.9757
0

binance

Foreign Currency in Ethiopia: How to Easily Access a Dollar?

Foreign Currency in Ethiopia Guide.

Do you want to know how to access dollars or foreign currency in Ethiopia without going through black market? without going through the hassle of changing birr to dollar? Or You want to directly use your dollars in home country?

Introduce yourself to the Diaspora account service, which is actively operating in Ethiopia, some of the bank to go to, which provides you this service are Awash bank, Zemen Bank and Dashen Bank, Foreign currency account for diaspora is designed to enable Diasporas access major currencies which are Dollars, Euro or pounds directly from their deposited account. here is a step by step guide to how to open a foreign currency account 

Foreign Currency in Ethiopia and Its Government

The government of Ethiopia’s foreign exchange reserves continue to be in low supply, posing a long-standing barrier for those wishing to source from overseas. Foreign exchange reserves have been depleted as a result of international loan commitments signed to pay previously constructed infrastructure projects.

All international transfers need licenses, and all foreign exchange transactions must be conducted through approved dealers monitored by the NBE. Imports must be financed through Ethiopian bank accounts. The NBE has transferred the majority of foreign exchange transaction functions to commercial banks, but retains the power to authorize substantial foreign exchange allocations. In addition, the NBE forces commercial banks to forfeit 30% of their foreign exchange gains. more detailed information could be found here but they are not properly updated more info

Having an experience of home investments in my home country, I have had challenges with shortage of currency, since my business requires import of chemicals and inputs, we have been having difficulties with the depreciating money, it sucked on the profit we were making that we were in a constant finance distress, few years ago I have been introduced to the Diaspora account, from that time we were able to make our import at a lower cost than we did before. With the soaring inflation and devaluing currency, it would have been hard for us to survive in business. “said Kebede Makalu CEO of INERIT Medical manufacturing 

 

Banks That With good reputation regarding foreign currency in Ethiopia

Awash Bank

Awash Bank

8.8 Rating

15% Loan Interest

Banking and Services for micro finance institutions

School Tution Fee Collection Services

Lucy Women's Saving

Business Banking

Plenty of business banking choices

Bank of Abyssinia

Bank of Abyssinia

8.3 Rating

16% Loan Interest

Ecommerce Payment Gateway

Virtual Banking

Customer Support

E-Commerce

Simplify Customer Experience

Berhan Bank

Berhan Bank

9 Rating

15.5% Loan Interest

Salary Fund Management

Premium Savings Accounts

Online School Pay

Berhan School Pay

Time saving payment method

Diaspora Account is one of the major ways to preserve and store foreign currency in Ethiopia. For that reason banks are trying to acquire the diaspora based customers from aboard.

To benefit from a diaspora account, you need to be or have one of the following for  More detail on how to open diaspora account

  • Non-resident Ethiopian or a Non-resident foreign national of Ethiopian origin
  • An Ethiopian national living and working abroad or in due process of living abroad for work for more than one year and who can produce authenticated documents.
  • Companies owned by the above-mentioned nonresidents and located outside the Ethiopian territory for more than one year.

Once you make sure that you fulfill at least one of the criteria, you can open the account whether you are in Ethiopia or in the country you are residing via post. while applying to the account if you cannot physically appear to the bank, you can use the nearby Ethiopian Embassies, correspondent banks or remittance service providers to prove your identity. To find the full service you can go to the site of the banks we have listed that provide you a diaspora account.

Foreign Currency in Ethiopia

Having a foreign currency account can be a powerful tool to enable you make transactions very easily and in overall increase the efficiency of your business

You can 

  • Make local payment in Birr
  • Transfers to other foreign currency accounts in any of the authorized banks in Ethiopia.
  • Make payment for your imports or other Foreign Service Payments provided the account holder has the required business license to do so.
  • Make transfers abroad
  • Withdraw for travel allowance of your requirements in cash notes or any other instruments upon presentation of valid travel document. 
  • Convert into a Birr account at the prevailing exchange rate.
  • Pay for authorized bank charges, if any, levied by the opening bank
  • Serve as collateral or guarantee for loans or bids.

Following the trend and leveraging the heat of incentives is what help you achieve your dream in whatever business you are in.

The government has recently opened up sectors for diasporas that were once reserved to domestic investors, and the country has been opening up to foreign investment across sectors. Unlike the past, the legal security of ownership for Diasporas will further catalyze engagements in financial services. 

For any Diaspora or anyone who wants foreign currency for business, travel or any reason having a foreign currency account or. Diaspora account is not an option but a basic necessity