Conference and Communication Equipment

Temporary Importation of Laptops and other Conference Equipment

To comply with the import customs regulations of the Government of Ethiopia conference participants should declare laptops and conference equipment they may carry with them when entering the country. A detailed specification of the items to be brought in, together with the arrival/departure details of the participant. The items will be registered for temporary import by the customs office and they should be taken out of the country after the conference.

ICT Services

The United Nations Conference Centre is equipped with WIFI. Technical support are available through the ECA Help Desk (phone +251 – 11 5 443123, email: ihelpdesk@uneca.org) Technical support for presentations must be arranged in advance.

Mobile Phones

Participants are encouraged to come to Addis Ababa with their dual band mobile handsets (900/1800 MHZ). Ethiopian Telecommunication Company offers SIM Cards with pre-charged airtime. The total package which costs US$ 50 includes US$ 12 airtime. It takes approximately 2 days to have the Ethiopian Telecommunication Mobile Phone connected.

* Please be advised that Blackberry Services are not available in Ethiopia.

Catering Facilities

Catering

Catering facilities that are readily available for refreshments and meals in the ECA compound include the following:

Sheraton Addis is located in the UNCC
Garden Paradise is located in the Nigerian lounge
Kaldis is located in the Rotunda

Restaurants in Addis Ababa

Here is a list of restaurants available in Addis Ababa for your information:

Blue Drops
011-661- 5714
Between Bole Tele & Atlas Hotel,
in front of Tsehay & Her Children Building
Known for: Pasta and Grilled food
7 days a week

Carnivore Addis
011-554-1330/31
From Meskel Sq. on the road to Bambis
The same building as Abyssinia Supermarket
Known for: Grill meat/Salad bar
7 days a week

Blue Tops
011-123 -2463/64
Amist Kilo in front of the National Museum
Known for: Pizza, ice cream
Closed: Mon.

Jacaranda (Hilton)
011-551-8400 Ext.986
In the Garden Wing of the hotel
Known for: unique menu that continuously changes
Closed: Sun.

Hotel De Leopol
011-550-7777
Behind Bambis
Known for: Candlelight dinner
7 days a week

Les Arcades (Sheraton Addis)
011-517-1717 Ext.6604
Known for: Gourmet menu
Closed: Sun.

Kaffa House (Hilton)
011-551-8400 Ext. 962
In the main Lobby of the Hilton
Known for: Seafood every Friday
7 days a week

New York New York
011-515-1243
Olympia, near Shoa Bakery.
Know for burger & pizza.
7 days a week

Lime Tree
011-663-0872
On Bole Road, above Boston Day Spa, in front of Tana.
Known for: Quick, fresh meals, salads, delicious desserts
7 days a week

Rodeo Bar and Restaurant
011-551-0294
On Bole Road, next to DStv.
Known for: BBQ on Thu, Fri, Sat
7 days a week

Serenade Restaurant
091-120-0072
Near Master Printing Press Amist Kilo
Known for: Fine home cooking, dinner only
Closed; Mon., Sun.

Zebra Grill
011-662-3630
On 22 Road, next to Ruality Pastry
Known for: Grilled food
7 days a week

ETHIOPIAN

Habesha Restaurant
011-551-8358
Bole Road, next to Sabit Bld.
Known for: Kwanta Ferfer and Bozena Shiro
7 days a week

Dashen Restaurant
011-552-9746, 011-552-6437
Behind the Main Post Office
Known for: Melasse tibs and live music on weekend nights
7 days a week

Fasika National Restaurant
011-550-9912 /
011-551-4193
Off Bole Road, in front of Sunshine Building. Known for: Enfele and live music
Closed Sun.

General Information about Ethiopia

Ethiopia is as large as France and Spain combined and has an area of 1,112,000 square metres. Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy, and the principal exports from this sector include coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and animal feed. About 90% of the population earn its living from the land. There is also a thriving livestock sector, and exports include cattle, hides and skins.

The population of Ethiopia is estimated at 77 million, and over 50% of the population is under 20 years of age. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometre is 69. Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of spoken languages. There are eighty-three languages with 200 dialects, and the three main languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna. English, French, Italian and Arabic are also spoken, mainly in Addis Ababa. Additional information on Ethiopia can be found on the http://www.telecom.net.et, http://www.ethio.com and http://tour.ethiopianonline.net.

Climate

Ethiopia has two main seasons. The dry season lasts from October through May, and the rainy season starts in late June and ends in September. Temperatures depend on season and altitude.

The weather is envisaged to be cold at night in November, so kindly carry a warm jacket/sweater.

Electric Supply

Electric supply in Ethiopia is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles AC accessible via 13-amp, two-pin (Italian) socket.

Currency: Birr

Ethiopian currency is denominated in “Birr” and “centimes”. The exchange rate fluctuates. The UN official exchange rate as of 9.68 (September 2008).

There is a branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the ECA compound – located in the Rotunda. This Bank is open Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. There is also an authorized exchange centre (Forex) at the Sheraton Hotel and ATM machines for Visa/ Mastercard users at both the Sheraton and Hilton which will give you money in Birr.