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How to send money to Ethiopia

Save time and money when sending money to Ethiopia from Hong Kong.

Shirley Liu
Shirley Liu

Updated

Fact checked

Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia boasts an intriguing archaeological history and is home to around 100 million people. If you ever want to send a money transfer from Hong Kong to this landlocked African nation, there are plenty of ways to do so.

Before you choose a transfer method, it’s essential that you compare the options at your disposal to see which one is the most affordable.

Compare money transfer services

Min. Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Online Transfer Fee Rate Amount Received Description CTA Details
CurrencyTransfer International Money Transfers
 GBP 5,000 1 - 2 days HKD 0.00 5.007 ETB
50,072
 可匯款至20+個國家，無手續費。 CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace. Go to site Show details
WorldRemit International Money Transfers
USD 1 Within an hour HKD 20.00 5.063 ETB
50,530
 提供現金提取、銀行戶口之間轉賬與及Airtime匯款選擇的網上匯款服務，。 WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups. Go to site Show details

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

Banks versus money transfer companies

One convenient option when you need to send money overseas is to ask your bank to take care of the transaction. While banks certainly present a convenient option when it comes to international money transfers, their services are far from affordable. Banks are known for their high transaction fees and terrible exchange rates, so you can usually find a cheaper option by looking elsewhere.

When hunting around for a provider to help you send money overseas, consider the services offered by specialist online money transfer companies. These companies trade in high volumes of foreign currency, allowing them to offer much better exchange rates than the banks. They also charge lower transaction fees, allowing you to save money whenever you send funds overseas.

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Questions I should ask myself when transferring and receiving money via Ethiopia

  • Exchange rates. What sort of exchange rates does the company offer? How do they compare to those offered by other providers?
  • Transaction fees. How much will you be charged in fees each time you send an international transfer? Can you avoid fees by sending a larger amount of money?
  • Transfer methods. Can you place transfers online, in a branch, over the telephone and/or through a mobile app?
  • Flexible options. Can you set up a regular payment schedule to save you time in the future? Can you place limit orders or forward contracts to secure a better deal?
  • Transfer time. How long will it take for the money to arrive to your recipient? Processing times typically range from a few minutes to several working days.
  • Minimum transfer amounts. Are there any minimum or maximum transfer limits that apply to each transaction? Will they regularly affect your transfer requirements?
  • Pickup options. Will the funds be available to be collected in cash, be sent to your recipient’s bank account or transferred in some other way?
  • Customer service. If something ever goes wrong with a transaction or you have a question about the company’s services, will you have quick and easy access to customer support?
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How do I send money to Ethiopia from Hong Kong?

  • Specialist money transfer providers. Start researching now to find out which international money transfer providers allow you to send money to Ethiopia.
  • Cash pickup transfer companies. Western Union and MoneyGram are the two largest cash pickup transfer companies in the world.
  • Bank transfers. Bank transfers are a convenient option but are typically quite costly.
  • International cheques. An old-school transfer method is to post an international guaranteed cheque to your beneficiary.

How do I receive money from Ethiopia in Hong Kong?

  • Specialist money transfer providers. Specialist online transfer companies offer better exchange rates and lower fees than the banks.
  • Cash pickup transfer companies. Choose a cash pickup transfer company that offers affordable transactions and a pickup location close to you.
  • Bank transfers. Bank transfers are another option when receiving money from Ethiopia, but shop around to see just how affordable they are.
  • International cheques. Check with your bank to find out how much it costs to cash an international cheque.
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Emergency cash transfers in Ethiopia

In certain circumstances you may need to send a cash transfer from Hong Kong to Ethiopia as quickly as possible. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you’re aware that emergency international cash transfers usually cost more than standard online transfers.

Thanks to low exchange rates and increased fees, you’ll pay more for your transfer than you would in normal circumstances – so review the details and cost of your transaction before you hand over your money.

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Cash pickup locations in Ethiopia/ Western Union/ MoneyGram branches in Ethiopia

Western Union and MoneyGram both operate substantial cash pick-up transfer networks around the world. Some of their popular cash pick-up locations in Ethiopia are listed below. If you’re picking up cash, make sure you have photo ID and a transaction reference number handy.

Western Union

Addis Ababa

  • Aba Mella Branch
    Hican BuildingUmmar Semetar Street Addis Ababa, 12947 +251-11-1557649Open 2am to 7pm Monday to Saturday
  • Abinet Branch
    Abinet Area Gibe Commercial Center Sub City Lideta P O Box 12947 Addis Ababa, +251-11-2781307Open 2am to 7pm Monday to Saturday

Dire Dawa

  • Allay Badey
    Around Ashewa AreaInfront Of Cigarettes Market Dire Dawa, 19963 +251-254-110532Open 12:40am to 3pm Monday to Saturday
  • CBE Dire Konnel
    Dire Dawa Location Konnel Dire Dawa, +251-251-113066Open 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 11am Saturday

MoneyGram

Addis Ababa

  • Awash Bank
    Around Addisu Gebeya Belay Zelek RoadAddis Ababa,111268100Open 8am to 7pm Monday to Saturday
  • OIB
    Addis Ababa911713598Open 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday

Dire Dawa

  • CBE – Lege Oda
    Dire Dawa, 68252110327Open 8am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, 24 hours Friday to Sunday
  • CBE – Kefira
    Kefira AreaDire Dawa,251110115Open 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday

Tips for picking up cash in Ethiopia

If you wish to visit the country nonetheless and you need to pick up a cash transfer while there, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Only visit a transfer branch in an area where you feel safe
  • Keep your cash hidden – don’t display it in public
  • Take a friend along to provide extra security
  • Don’t carry a large sum of money around with you for any longer than necessary
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What are the steps to send money to Ethiopia?

You’ll need to check the exact money transfer process with the transfer company you choose, but you will generally need to:

  1. Register for an account. Accounts are usually free to sign up for and you can do this online. You will need to supply your full name, contact information, proof of ID and bank account details.
  2. Enter your transaction details. The next step is to enter all the relevant transaction information, including how much money you’re sending and in what currency. You’ll also need to specify who will be receiving the transfer.
  3. Finalise the transaction. After reviewing the cost of your transaction, it’s time to finalise and submit your transfer request. Most companies also provide an online tracking service so that you know when your funds have been delivered.

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