Addis Ababa is Africa's most important diplomatic hub but it is not a safe operating environment. Political instability, regional conflict spillover and onward travel risk to field locations require specialist insurance.
We provide cover for NGOs, journalists, contractors and field teams operating in Ethiopia from their Addis Ababa base.
Addis Ababa is rated high risk. Ethiopia's political environment remains volatile and OLA insurgency affects routes from the capital.
Standard travel insurance often undersells the risk for organisations operating field programmes from Addis Ababa into conflict-affected regions.
Yes — Conflict Cover provides specialist insurance for Addis Ababa.
Subject to full disclosure of your assignment, operating area and security arrangements. This cover is designed for journalists, NGO workers, contractors and other non-combatants who have a legitimate professional reason to be there.
Can you get insurance for Addis Ababa?
We provide specialist insurance for journalists, NGOs, contractors and field teams operating in and from Addis Ababa. Cover is subject to accurate disclosure of your role, itinerary and field locations.
Security context
The situation
Addis Ababa is Ethiopia's capital and one of Africa's most important diplomatic and humanitarian hubs, home to the African Union headquarters, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and dozens of international NGOs and development organisations. However, the city's status as a regional centre does not mean it is risk-free. During the Tigray conflict (2020–2022), security incidents including demonstrations, clashes and a state of emergency declaration affected Addis Ababa directly. Government-aligned media and security forces have both been active in the city in ways that affect international workers.
Ethiopia's political landscape remains volatile. The Tigray War ceasefire (November 2022) has held, but tensions between the federal government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA/Shane) continue to affect Oromia Region, which surrounds Addis Ababa. OLA has conducted operations in areas immediately outside the capital and there have been security incidents on routes leading from the city into Oromia. The political relationship between the Oromo political community and the Abiy Ahmed government remains a live fault line.
For international workers based in Addis Ababa, the primary risk factors relate to political instability, the security impact of regional conflicts on the capital, and onward travel to field locations. The city itself has functioning infrastructure and the best medical access in Ethiopia, but it is not a normalised operating environment for non-combatants with operations extending into the regions.
What to watch
Why it can be challenging
Political instability and civil unrest risk
Addis Ababa has experienced violent demonstrations, internet shutdowns and state of emergency declarations linked to domestic political crises. The 2022 Tigray War period saw significant disruption to normal operations in the city. Political conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
OLA insurgency affecting routes out of the capital
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA/Shane) has conducted attacks in Oromia Region immediately surrounding Addis Ababa. Routes south, west and north of the city into field locations carry higher risk that requires active security management and monitoring.
Onward travel risk to conflict-affected regions
Much of the risk facing Addis Ababa-based organisations arises from field travel — to Tigray, Afar, Somali Region, and Oromia field locations where conditions vary significantly from the capital. Teams must plan for materially different risk environments once they leave the city.
Detention and media restriction risk
Ethiopian authorities have detained journalists and restricted media operations, particularly during periods of political tension. Foreign journalists operating without appropriate accreditation or outside approved parameters face detention risk. Equipment seizure has been documented.
Emergency support
NGS provides round-the-clock emergency support. For Addis Ababa-based operations, this includes coordinating care within the city and planning evacuation to Nairobi or Dubai when required for complex emergencies.
24/7 response
Round-the-clock support every day of the year
Medical coordination
Coordinating care including evacuation to Nairobi or Dubai
Evacuation support
Managing exit via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Case management
Handling the incident through to a safer outcome
Exclusions
This policy is designed to protect people, not possessions.
Cover not included
Activity exclusions
Property exclusions
Threat intelligence
For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.
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