Networking Events and Professional Communities in Addis Ababa: My Sleep-Deprived Hunt for Connections (and Coffee)

it's been… a week. a long week. i'm elias, by the way, and i'm a freelance photographer, currently bouncing around ethiopia. addis ababa is… intense. like, a beautiful, chaotic, slightly overwhelming intensity. the air smells like roasting coffee and exhaust fumes, which is a surprisingly good combo, honestly. right now, it's that weird transitional weather - not quite rainy season, but the sun’s got this hazy, humid weight to it. feels like you could cut it with a knife.

so, i'm here to talk about networking. because, you know, gotta eat. gotta pay for injera and tej. and, let's be real, gotta find people who might actually need a photographer. i've been digging around, trying to figure out the scene, and it's… a mixed bag. it's not like london or new york, where events are plastered everywhere. it's more… word of mouth. and a lot of whatsapp groups. seriously, so many whatsapp groups.

my initial plan was to hit up some of the bigger hotels - hilton, sheraton - thinking they’d have business centers or host events. that was… optimistic. i did overhear a guy at the hilton bar complaining that the wifi was slower than a snail on valium. he was right.

*the bole area is where most of the expat stuff seems to congregate. it's got the fancy restaurants, the international schools, the general feeling of “i’m not really here.” i found a few listings for “business mixers” on meetup.com, but they were mostly geared towards people already established. not exactly helpful for a newbie like me.

but, i did stumble upon something interesting. there's this co-working space called iSpace (https://ispaceaddis.com/). it's not just for tech people, apparently. they host workshops and events, and it seems like a decent place to meet other freelancers and entrepreneurs. i’m thinking of checking it out next week.

and then there's the ethiopian chamber of commerce (https://www.ecci.org.et/). it's a bit more formal, but it could be worth exploring. i haven't really looked into it yet, to be honest. paperwork gives me hives.

okay, let's talk data. because i'm a millennial, and that's just what we do. rent in bole, if you want something decent (not a crumbling apartment with questionable plumbing), is going to set you back at least $400-$600 a month. utilities are extra, of course. and don't even get me started on internet. it's… patchy. like, really patchy. you’ll be grateful for any connection you can get. the job market? tough. a lot of competition, especially for creative gigs. but there is a growing demand for digital marketing and content creation, so that's something to keep an eye on. i heard from a local that the construction boom is creating opportunities for photographers too - documenting projects, that sort of thing.


cost of living in addis ababa (rough estimates, as of late 2023)

overheard gossip at a cafe in kazanchis: “apparently, the new art gallery opening on meskel square is the place to be seen. but the owner is… eccentric. something about only accepting payment in vintage vinyl records.”

drunk advice from a taxi driver: “don’t trust anyone who offers you ‘special’ injera. it’s probably just… not good injera. stick to the places that are busy. busy means good.”

something a local warned me about: “be careful walking around piassa at night. it’s… lively. but not always in a good way.”


there's also a surprisingly active expat community on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/AddisAbaba/). it's a good place to ask questions and get local tips. i even saw a post about a photography meetup! i’m going to try and track that down.

and then there's yelp (https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=networking&find_loc=Addis+Ababa%2C+Ethiopia). it's… sparse, to say the least. but you might find something useful.

my biggest takeaway so far? networking in addis ababa is less about attending formal events and more about building relationships. it's about striking up conversations with people, joining local groups, and just… being present. and drinking a lot* of coffee. seriously, the coffee here is amazing. i'm pretty sure i'm 80% caffeine at this point.

and, you know, maybe learning a little amharic wouldn't hurt. i'm struggling with the greetings. it's a whole thing.

anyway, that's my current state of affairs. wish me luck. i'm off to find more coffee and hopefully, some clients.

ps: if you're planning a trip to addis, be prepared for anything. it's a city that will challenge you, frustrate you, and ultimately, charm you. just… pack some hand sanitizer.

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