Networking Events and Professional Communities in Addis Ababa (aka, Where to Find People Who Aren't Trying to Sell You Something)

okay, so addis ababa. it's… a lot. right now, it's that weird time of year where it's sunny one minute and you're questioning all your life choices because of a sudden downpour the next. think florida, but with better coffee and way more hills. and if you get tired of the rain, you can hop a quick flight to bahir dar - they’ve got lake tana, which is apparently stunning.

i’m a touring session drummer, which means i spend a lot of time trying to find people to jam with in random cities. addis was… interesting. the music scene is HUGE, obviously, but finding folks who aren’t already locked into a band or trying to get you to invest in their “next big thing” is a mission. i’m telling you, it’s a hustle.

so, networking. forget the fancy hotel events. those are mostly for ngo types and people in suits. i’m talking about the real stuff. i’ve been digging around, and here’s what i’ve found.

*the art scene is where it’s at. seriously. i stumbled into a workshop at the bole cultural center (check out TripAdvisor reviews) and met a bunch of painters, sculptors, and musicians. they have regular open mic nights and art shows. it’s chaotic, loud, and exactly what i needed. overheard someone saying the security can be a bit lax after dark, so maybe don’t wander around alone with your expensive drumsticks.

then there’s the digital nomad crowd. they hang out around kazanchis, mostly in cafes. i found a surprisingly active group on Reddit’s Addis Ababa subreddit. they organize co-working days and meetups. it’s a bit… tech-bro-heavy, but you can find some genuinely cool people. rent in kazanchis is getting ridiculous though. i’m talking $500-$800 a month for a decent apartment. which, honestly, is insane considering you can get something similar in other parts of the city for half that.

pro-tip: learn some amharic. even just a few phrases. it goes a long way. people really appreciate the effort. and it’ll help you navigate the markets, which are… an experience.


here’s a breakdown of costs, because let’s be real, that’s what everyone cares about:

. apparently, it’s all surface-level and people are just collecting business cards. they said, "it's a waste of time unless you're trying to impress someone's dad." take that with a grain of salt, obviously.

there’s also a growing community of entrepreneurs around piassa*. i found a few meetups listed on Meetup.com. it’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s where a lot of the innovation is happening. i overheard a conversation about the challenges of starting a business in ethiopia - apparently, the bureaucracy is… intense. someone said it takes longer to get a permit than to learn to play the drums. i’m not sure if that’s true, but it sounds about right.

and finally, if you’re into live music, check out Yelp for music venues. there are a ton of small clubs and bars that host local bands. just be prepared for it to be loud and crowded. and maybe bring earplugs. seriously.

addis ababa isn’t easy. it’s chaotic, it’s frustrating, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. but it’s also incredibly rewarding. it’s a city that gets under your skin. and if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll find a community here. just don’t expect it to be handed to you on a silver platter.

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