Open an Ethiopian bank account from anywhere in the world.
Step-by-step guide to opening a diaspora savings or foreign currency account at Ethiopian commercial banks — requirements, documents and process explained.
Step by step
How to open a diaspora account.
01
Choose your bank
Select a commercial bank with SWIFT capability. Awash Bank, CBE and Dashen Bank all offer diaspora accounts with competitive USD and ETB rates.
02
Gather your documents
You will need a valid passport, proof of address abroad, Ethiopian origin documentation (if applicable) and a minimum initial deposit amount.
03
Apply in person or remotely
Most banks require an in-person visit or a visit by a designated representative in Ethiopia. Some banks accept notarised documents sent from abroad.
04
Fund and activate
Transfer your initial deposit via SWIFT. Once received, your account is activated and you can manage it online or through the bank mobile app.
NBE registry
Banks that accept international transfers
Bank
SWIFT code
Founded
Amhara Bank
AMHRETAA
2022
Amhara Bank
AMHRETAA
Awash Bank
AWINETET
1994
Awash Bank
AWINETET
Bank of Abyssinia
ABYSETAA
1996
Bank of Abyssinia
ABYSETAA
Berhan Bank
BRHAETAA
2009
Berhan Bank
BRHAETAA
Bunna International Bank
BUNNETAA
2009
Bunna International Bank
BUNNETAA
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
CBETETAA
1963
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
CBETETAA
Cooperative Bank of Oromia
COOPETAA
2005
Cooperative Bank of Oromia
COOPETAA
Dashen Bank
DASHETAA
1995
Dashen Bank
DASHETAA
Debub Global Bank
DGBKETAA
2012
Debub Global Bank
DGBKETAA
Development Bank of Ethiopia
DBUIETAA
1909
Development Bank of Ethiopia
DBUIETAA
Enat Bank
ENATETA1
2013
Enat Bank
ENATETA1
Gadaa Bank
GDAAETAA
2022
Gadaa Bank
GDAAETAA
Goh Betoch Bank
GOBEETAA
2022
Goh Betoch Bank
GOBEETAA
Hibret Bank
UNTDETAA
1998
Hibret Bank
UNTDETAA
Lion International Bank
LINTETA1
2006
Lion International Bank
LINTETA1
Nib International Bank
NIBIETAA
1999
Nib International Bank
NIBIETAA
Omo Bank
OSCOETAA
2022
Omo Bank
OSCOETAA
Oromia International Bank
ORINETAA
2008
Oromia International Bank
ORINETAA
Rammis Bank
RMSIETAA
2022
Rammis Bank
RMSIETAA
Sidama Bank
SDMAETAA
2022
Sidama Bank
SDMAETAA
Wegagen Bank
WEGAETAA
1997
Wegagen Bank
WEGAETAA
Zemen Bank
ZEMNETAA
2008
Zemen Bank
ZEMNETAA
Banks with active SWIFT codes · Source: NBE registry · Click any bank for full profile
Next step
Compare savings rates before opening.
Fixed deposit rates vary significantly between banks. Check which bank offers the best rate before choosing where to open your diaspora account.
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