What is the capital of Ethiopia?
Addis Ababa lies in the Ethiopian highlands at about 2,355 metres, making it the highest capital city in Africa.
Addis Ababa is the capital and seat of government of Ethiopia, a role it has held since 1886. Ethiopia itself has an estimated population of 135,472,051 (2025).
Addis Ababa is also the largest city in Ethiopia, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.
Addis Ababa at a glance
| City population | 6,287,000 (2025 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Country | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Capital since | 1886 |
| Largest city in Ethiopia | Addis Ababa |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 (EAT) |
| Currency | Ethiopian birr (ETB) |
About Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu Betul; its name means 'new flower' in Amharic.
Addis Ababa has been the capital of Ethiopia since 1886, Addis Ababa has been Ethiopia's capital since it was founded as Menelik II's new imperial seat in 1886.
Addis Ababa is Ethiopia's largest city and hosts the headquarters of the African Union, making it a diplomatic centre for the whole continent.
City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Addis Ababa.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Ethiopia?
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Capitals of neighbouring countries
See the full profile of Ethiopia on its country page, or browse every capital city.
Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.