The Accounts of Diaspora are subject to several different restrictions, one of which is the minimum opening balance. For years, the minimum opening balance for a diaspora account in Ethiopia was USD 100. As of February 2026, NBE removed that requirement under Directive FXD/04/2026, so there’s no longer a fixed regulatory minimum. Some banks may still apply their own opening balance in practice, since not all have updated their published terms yet; check with your chosen bank directly.
Legitimacy checks on diaspora accounts come from identity verification and documentation requirements: passport, Ethiopian origin ID, proof of residence abroad, and so on, rather than from the size of the opening deposit.
If you’re interested in opening a diaspora bank account in Ethiopia, confirm the current opening requirements with your chosen bank, since they can vary and have changed recently.