Traveling can be tricky; containing your belongings into one or two suitcases, making sure you haven’t forgotten any essentials. Coming to Ethiopia can even be an even harder task, considering the limitations on availability of essential items. If you’re in Addis, permanently or temporarily, and you’re in the market for some things, we have compiled a list of the major shopping areas to make things easier for you.
Traditional Clothing and Souvenirs
If you’re in Addis temporarily and you’re looking for some souvenirs to take back home, or you would like some traditional clothing, or even a painting for your living room, Shiro Meda and Post Office (Posta bet) (around Ambassador cinema) are the two most convenient options. These two places will provide you with the most traditional, authentic and cultural cloths and/or souvenirs.
Boutique Shops
If you need a change of wardrobe, or some new running shoes, the shopping center of Addis (Apart from Merkato) lies around 22. The road from 22 to Bole Medhanialem, presents a wide range of fashion shops and clothing stores. Other shopping malls, a bit more expensive than the small shop vendors are the big malls around Bole. Medhanialem Mall, Mafi City Mall and Berhane Adere Mall around Bole Medhanialem, Getu Commercial Center, Friendship Commercial and Dembel City Center on Bole Road all present great options from many shops, with high quality and a little more on the price tag.
Medicine
Nonprescription meds, such as painkillers, antibiotics, vitamins, and more off the counter medication can be found in pharmacies around the city. The most abundant pharmacies with multiple branches include Kenema Pharmacy, located in Piassa, Kazanches, 4-Kilo, Kera, Lideta, Meskel Square, and Merkato (and more); Solada found in Lafto, Kera, Jemo, and Leghar (and more), and Gishen Pharmacy located in Meskel Square and Gerji road.
Electronics
If you are looking for a coffee grinder, juicer, washing machine, or even just a coffee maker, Ethelco (Phillips) stores can be found in Lideta and Piassa, and Sony electronics stores are located in Biherawi Theater, Churchill, Cathedral (Piassa), Merkato.
Kitchen Appliances
Supermarkets or sometimes even hypermarkets (in Shoa’s case) are the most convenient places to get all your kitchen needs. Be it wine glasses, pans, or baking pans, these supermarkets have you covered. Shoa supermarket (hypermarket) in Old Airport (Laphto Mall) and Megenagna (Zefmesh Mall), CMC, Bole, and Merkato All Mart in Jackross, Safe Way in Atlas, CMC, Lebu, and Gerji Mebrathail should be able to satisfy all your shopping needs.
Furniture
Comfortable couches? Dining tables? Office furniture? How about a study table for your kids? Whatever your furniture needs are, Deluxe furniture, with branches in Torhailoch (Minaye bldg.), Olympia (in front of Dembel), Meskel Flower, Salite Mihret (in front of the Church), Wello Sefer, Commerce (in front of the college), and Cathedral (Piassa), Sunmate Furniture, with branches in Megenagna (in front of Nyala Motor), Lebu (Osac Business Tower), and Piassa (Eshetu Mamo bldg.) and GM furniture with showrooms located in Olympia, Alemgena, Beklobet and Kera have you covered.
Books
Have you been missing out on information because of the constant travel? Or do you need to buy than new book you’ve been meaning to read? With 11 branches in Addis Ababa, Book World is here to quench your thirst for books. The major locations for book world include Piassa, Meskel Square, Sarbet, Hilton News Stand, Sheraton Gift Shop and Olympia (in front of Dembel).
Before we leave you to your shopping days, some notable mentions. All your shopping needs can be satisfied in Merkato, the largest open market in Africa. From souvenirs to household items to clothing, Merkato has anything and everything you would want to buy in Ethiopia. If you are not in the mood to physically shop and explore stores, you can check out the jumia.com.et, the first of its kind online shopping in Ethiopia.