Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union.

It is one of the most strategically connected cities on the continent, a hub for diplomacy, international organizations, and a growing tech scene that has been building since 2011. And it is one of the most affordable cities in East Africa for remote workers willing to look past the unfamiliar.

A nomad budget in Addis Ababa runs between $860 and $1,400 per month. The Bole district is where most expats and nomads base themselves, close to the airport, close to the best restaurants, and home to most of the city's coworking options. Kazanchis for proximity to international organizations. Piassa for history and culture.

xHub Addis at Morning Star Mall on Bole Cameroon Street has been building Ethiopia's tech community since 2014. Incubation programs, a year-long Legal Clinic, prototyping labs, investor access, and a fellowship program that connects Ethiopian founders to global networks. 98% recommendation rate from everyone who has worked there. IceAddis is the other anchor, Addis Ababa's first tech hub, still running, still producing.

Internet averages 5 to 25 Mbps. Power can be intermittent. The tradeoff is a cost of living that makes every other African city look expensive by comparison, and a culture that will surprise you with its depth, its coffee, and its people.

Ethiopia does not yet have a formal digital nomad visa. Most nomads enter on a tourist visa, renewable in-country. Check current requirements before arrival.