Africa • Updated July 2026

Country Risk Report

Ethiopia

Overall Risk Rating

High

Capital

Addis Ababa

Languages

Amharic (federal working language), Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali and others

Currency

Ethiopian birr (ETB)

Executive Summary

Ethiopia is classified as a HIGH risk destination, facing multiple overlapping internal conflicts. In the Amhara region, the Fano militia has waged an insurgency against federal forces, with sustained offensives from March 2026 that contested towns near the regional capital Bahir Dar and disrupted the seventh general election held on 1 June 2026, met by a large army counteroffensive under a state of emergency. In Oromia, the Oromo Liberation Army continues a long-running insurgency despite a partial 2024 peace deal. In the north, conflict has returned to Tigray. Clashes erupted in January 2026 in contested western and southern areas, Ethiopian Airlines briefly suspended flights, and in May 2026 a TPLF faction reinstated its pre-war regional government, effectively killing the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement and placing Tigray outside federal control. Western Tigray remains occupied by Amhara militias, and tensions with Eritrea, whose troops are present in border areas, raise fears of renewed interstate war. The cumulative toll includes over 3.3 million internally displaced people, acute humanitarian needs, and ethnic and communal violence along regional borders. Addis Ababa functions as a major diplomatic and aviation hub, and the 2026 Iran war caused fuel shortages that affected military operations. Cover for Ethiopia is available on request only. Addis Ababa and some areas may be feasible with support, but Amhara, Tigray, parts of Oromia and border zones are dangerous, and travel there is viable only for critical purposes with specialist security support and comprehensive war-risk, evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom insurance.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	High	Multiple internal conflicts in Amhara, Tigray and parts of Oromia, plus Eritrea border tension.
Terrorism	Moderate	Insurgent and ethnic-militia violence rather than classic terrorism, concentrated in conflict regions.
Kidnapping	High	Abductions for ransom and of aid workers occur in Amhara and conflict zones.
Crime	Moderate	Urban crime in Addis Ababa; higher lawlessness in conflict areas.
Civil Unrest	High	Election-related tension, protests and states of emergency amid multiple conflicts.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Reasonable private care in Addis Ababa; limited and disrupted elsewhere.
Internal Travel	High	Conflict, roadblocks and flight disruptions affect movement; some regions are off-limits.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Internet shutdowns and monitoring, worse during conflict and unrest.

Essential Precautions

1Avoid the Amhara region, where the Fano insurgency and army counteroffensive are active.

2Avoid Tigray, where conflict has returned, flights have been disrupted and the region is outside federal control.

3Avoid conflict-affected parts of Oromia and the western and border regions, given OLA activity and ethnic violence.

4Treat kidnapping as a serious risk in Amhara and conflict zones, where aid workers have been abducted and killed.

5Account for states of emergency and election-related tension, which can bring movement restrictions and unrest.

6Be aware of Eritrea border tensions, which raise the risk of renewed interstate conflict in the north.

7Exercise elevated precautions in Addis Ababa and avoid protests and political gatherings.

8Practise strict digital hygiene given internet shutdowns and monitoring.

Security Situation

High

Ethiopia faces multiple overlapping internal conflicts, in Amhara, Tigray and parts of Oromia, alongside Eritrea border tensions and election-related instability. Addis Ababa functions with precautions, while the conflict regions are dangerous and, in Tigray’s case, outside federal control.

Addis Ababa and the Centre

Moderate

Addis Ababa and the central highlands function as a major hub with elevated precautions, facing urban crime and occasional unrest rather than active conflict.

Tigray (North)

High

Tigray has seen a return to conflict, with a TPLF faction reinstating its own regional government, contested western areas occupied by Amhara militias, and Eritrea tensions.

Amhara (Fano Insurgency)

High

Amhara is an active insurgency zone, with Fano offensives and an army counteroffensive under a state of emergency.

Oromia and the West (OLA)

High

Oromia and the west face a long-running OLA insurgency and ethnic and communal violence.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

High

Ethiopia is engaged in simultaneous conflicts with the Fano in Amhara, the OLA in Oromia and renewed clashes in Tigray, with the additional risk of interstate war with Eritrea. Fighting includes ground offensives, drone strikes and militia clashes.

Terrorism

Moderate

Ethiopia’s violence stems from insurgencies and ethnic militias rather than classic terrorism, though attacks on civilians, officials and infrastructure occur in conflict regions. Al-Shabaab spillover from Somalia is a latent risk in the east.

Kidnapping and Detention

High

Abductions for ransom and of aid workers occur in Amhara and conflict zones, some ending in killing, and authorities have arbitrarily detained journalists, healthcare workers and critics. Movement in conflict regions carries significant abduction risk.

Crime and Lawlessness

Moderate

Urban crime, including theft and robbery, affects Addis Ababa, while lawlessness is far higher in conflict regions. Policing is strained by the multiple conflicts.

Internal Travel

High

Conflict, roadblocks, checkpoints and flight disruptions affect movement, and several regions are effectively off-limits. Addis Ababa’s airport is a major hub, but overland travel to and within conflict regions is dangerous.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Private healthcare in Addis Ababa is reasonable, but care is limited and disrupted in conflict regions, where facilities have been damaged. Serious cases may require evacuation, and travellers should hold appropriate cover.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

High

Ethiopia is highly diverse, with Orthodox Christian, Muslim and Protestant communities and an ethnic-federal system in which ethnic identity is politically charged. Ethnic and political topics are highly sensitive, and travellers should be discreet and defer to local guidance.

LGBT Travellers

High

Same-sex relationships are criminalised and face severe social and religious hostility. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.

Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance

Moderate

Conflict areas in Tigray, Amhara and border regions carry landmine and unexploded-ordnance contamination from recent and ongoing fighting. Travellers must stay on established routes and heed local warnings in affected areas.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

High

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government held a contested seventh general election in June 2026 amid multiple conflicts, has closed political space, and faces the effective loss of federal control in Tigray and fraught relations with Eritrea. Addis Ababa hosts the African Union and major missions, and consular support is available but limited in conflict regions.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

The authorities impose internet shutdowns during unrest and conflict and monitor communications, and connectivity is disrupted in conflict regions. Sensitive content can create risk.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Yellow Fever
Recommended; required if arriving from an endemic area.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Meningococcal Meningitis
Recommended; parts of Ethiopia lie in the meningitis belt.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care.
Polio and Measles (MMR)
Recommended given circulation.

Other Health Hazards

Altitude: Addis Ababa and the highlands are at high altitude; allow time to acclimatise.
Malaria: Risk below about 2,000 metres; take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene outside reputable venues.
Trauma capacity: Trauma care is limited outside Addis Ababa. Carry a kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Standard travel insurance is invalid for Ethiopia’s conflict regions. Cover is available on request only. Addis Ababa may be feasible with support, while travel to Amhara, Tigray, conflict-affected Oromia and border zones requires specialist war-risk insurance covering evacuation and kidnap-for-ransom and pre-travel approval.

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Annex A — Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Federal forces, regional forces and militias operate checkpoints; conduct varies and is unpredictable. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph military, checkpoints or installations. Amhara, Tigray and parts of Oromia carry high checkpoint and detention risk.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Aid workers have been abducted and killed in Amhara. Movement in conflict regions carries a high abduction risk. Journalists, health workers and critics face arbitrary detention. Most incidents occur on routes in conflict regions.

High-Risk Travellers

Conflict-region travellers face insurgency and abduction risk. Aid workers face abduction and attack risk in Amhara and Tigray. Journalists face detention risk. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage multi-front conflict conditions.

Annex B — Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Avoid conflict regions and travel there only for critical purposes with specialist support and cover. Establish extraction and evacuation plans and carry a trauma kit. Take malaria prophylaxis for lower-altitude areas. Prepare for high altitude in Addis Ababa and the highlands.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Plan for internet shutdowns during unrest. Clear ethnically and politically sensitive material. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid Amhara, Tigray and conflict-affected Oromia and border zones. Note that flights to conflict regions can be suspended. Expect military, regional and militia checkpoints. Stay on established routes in conflict areas given mine risk.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Avoid ethnic and political topics. Respect religious and cultural norms. Never photograph military or installations.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.