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Doing business
Doing business in Ethiopia
The official bodies a foreign company, investor or professional deals with in Ethiopia – linked to their own websites – plus the treaties that matter for contracts and disputes, and law firms there that list business work.
Key facts
Key facts for business in Ethiopia
The short answer
Company registry in Ethiopia: Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI). Requirements, fees and timelines change – confirm them with the body concerned and a lawyer admitted in Ethiopia before you act.
| Legal system | Civil law (codified, with customary and Islamic law in some matters) |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Amharic (federal working language) |
| Currency | Ethiopian birr (ETB) |
| Regional blocs | COMESA, IGAD |
| OHADA business law | No |
| AfCFTA (continental free trade) | Ratified (instrument deposited) |
| New York Convention (arbitral awards) | Party – in force since 2020 |
| ICSID Convention (investment disputes) | Signed in 1965, not ratified |
| Apostille Convention (public documents) | Not a party – documents usually need legalization |
Treaty status from the official depositary records (UNCITRAL, ICSID, HCCH), regional blocs from their own websites, AfCFTA from tralac – checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Official bodies
Who does what in Ethiopia
| What for | Official body | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Registering a company | Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) | motri.gov.et |
| Investment promotion | Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) | investethiopia.gov.et |
| Central bank, currency and foreign exchange | National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) | nbe.gov.et |
| Work and residence permits | Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS) | ics.gov.et |
We could not confirm an official website for: tax, courts and justice. We only link to sites we could open and confirm as the body’s own in October 2026.
Each link was opened and checked as the body’s own website in October 2026. Links to official sites only – never to agents or look-alike sites.
Getting started
What foreign businesses usually sort out first
- Choose how you will operate. A subsidiary, a branch, a representative office, or working through a local partner or distributor. The options and their conditions are set by national company law.
- Register the business. Company registration: Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI).
- Register for tax. Tax registration: the national tax administration.
- Check investment rules and incentives. Some sectors have licensing, local-ownership or registration rules, and some investors qualify for incentives. Investment agency: Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC).
- Permits for foreign staff. Work and residence permits: Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS).
- Banking and foreign exchange. Rules on accounts, moving money in and out and paying dividends abroad come from the central bank (National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE)) and the banks.
- Contracts and disputes. Agree the governing law, the courts or arbitration seat, and the language. Ethiopia is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitral awards made in other member states can be recognized there under it.
A general checklist, not legal advice. What applies to you depends on your sector, structure and nationality.
Law firms
Law firms in Ethiopia for business matters
5A Law Firm LLP
Addis Ababa
Alebel Ashagrie & Associates Law Office
Addis Ababa
DABLO Law Firm LLP
Addis Ababa
Endris Amino Law Office (ELO)
Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Law Group
Addis Ababa
Fikadu Asfaw and Associates Law Office (FALO)
Addis Ababa
Getnet Yawkal Law Office
Addis Ababa
Mehrteab & Getu Advocates LLP (DLA Piper Africa, Ethiopia)
Addis Ababa
SKY Advocacy Services LLP
Addis Ababa
Tadesse Kiros & Associates Law Office
Addis Ababa
Taza Legal
Addis Ababa
Tsegamlak Solomon & Associates Law Office
Addis Ababa
12 firms in Ethiopia list corporate, tax, employment or other business work on their own websites. See every firm in Ethiopia.
Checking a lawyer in Ethiopia
Professional title: Advocate (Federal Advocate)
Ask to see the advocate's current licence and confirm it with the Ministry of Justice (for federal courts) or the relevant regional justice bureau.
We could not confirm every detail from official sources, so use this as a starting point.
Sources: justice.gov.et. Checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Doing business in Ethiopia: questions
Where do you register a company in Ethiopia?
With Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) (motri.gov.et). Requirements change, so confirm them with the registry and a lawyer admitted in Ethiopia.
Is Ethiopia a party to the New York Convention?
Yes – in force since 2020 (UNCITRAL status table, checked October 2026).
Does Ethiopia accept apostilles?
Ethiopia is not a party to the Apostille Convention (HCCH status table, checked October 2026), so foreign public documents usually need legalization – typically through the issuing country’s foreign ministry and Ethiopia’s embassy or consulate. Confirm with the authority that will receive the document.
What currency is used in Ethiopia?
Ethiopian birr (ETB).