Mobile banking and digital payments are growing fast in Ethiopia. Here's an overview of the main options.
TeleBirr
TeleBirr is Ethio Telecom's mobile money service. Users can:
- Store money in a mobile wallet
- Send money to other TeleBirr users
- Pay bills (utilities, taxes)
- Receive remittances from abroad (via partners like Kifiya, Safaricom)
- Make merchant payments
Registration requires a valid ID and phone number. TeleBirr has become one of the largest mobile money platforms in Ethiopia.
CBE Birr
CBE Birr is the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia's mobile banking app. It offers:
- Account management
- Transfers between CBE accounts
- Bill payments
- Mobile top-up
- Integration with CBE's branch and ATM network
You need a CBE account to use CBE Birr.
Bank Apps
Most commercial banks (Awash, Abyssinia, Dashen, etc.) offer mobile apps for:
- Balance checks
- Transfers
- Bill payments
- Card management
Features vary by bank. Check your bank's website or branch for details.
Choosing a Service
- TeleBirr: No bank account needed; works with any Ethio Telecom SIM.
- Bank apps: Require an account; often more features for existing customers.
- Interoperability: Some services can link—e.g., moving funds between TeleBirr and bank accounts through agents or apps.
Security Tips
- Use strong PINs and never share them
- Verify recipient details before sending
- Be cautious of phishing and fraud