Addis Ababa Shopping

This gift shop has the cheapest and largest collection of postcards in Addis Ababa that you can access easily. In fact their prices are a bit surprising given that it is actually a government owned shop. This explains 3 things: their location next to the Tourist Information Office, their weird name and the fact they will NOT haggle over prices. Anywhere else in Addis will either have a smaller range of post cards at stupid prices (Piazza shops and upscale tourist hotels). The only other place to get better cards, for at least a stupid $1 a piece, in the Duty Free at the airport. That’s right. You can get better looking cards when you leave. No, you cannot get stamps or post them inside the airport.

Go here. Easy to find, cheap and easy. The lady who managed it is also nice. Other souvenirs are limited, but the have some great posters, art works and books.

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The Mega Book Shop is an interesting mixture of mostly English Books. Their range of books varies from cheap romance novels to Engineering and medical textbooks. I think they even have some guidebooks. The staff are friendly and helpful and they have plenty of reading books, both fiction and non-fiction.

They have expanded over the last year and have at least 3 other locations that I have seen now. Obviously I can only list one address below. They actually have 2 locations in the Piazza area alone. They can also order books and textbooks for you. Just pop in and see them.

In many places in Africa this is known as ‘Chewy Stick’ and it works as good as a toothbrush – with toothpaste! Locally known as ‘Mafakia’ it has been proven to have antimicrobial qualities. You chew on this very hard piece of wood and scrape your teeth with the top edge. I used it and found it helpful. Expect to pay about 1 Birr (11 US Cents). The sellers are found in the Merkato, Piazza, Meskel Square and Bole Road. Give it a try!

If you are in Addis , you better go for ‘made in Ethiopia products’. Most of the modern shopping centres such as Friendship and Dimple sell Chinese and Thai stuff. If you are looking for Ethiopian leather, ask the taxi driver to take you to Stadium area. I am sure you wont regret it.

What to buy: Leather and Silver

What to pay: Between 800-900$

Sally Beauty Supply is an international chain that has small, but well stocked stores. They sell a range of North American and European brands of cosmetics, shampoos, toothpaste and other beauty items. They also have hard to find items like good tweezers, hair brushes and dental floss. Expect high prices as there is a 100% import tax on everything sold, but cheaper and with a better range than any other shop in Ethiopia.

Inside Bole International Terminal is a series of privately owned shops selling ‘Duty Free’ goods. Alcohol, cigarettes, traditional & modern clothes, luggage, souvenirs and books. It really is a good collection. Some of the prices are shockingly low. I paid $16 for a litre of Scottish whiskey and $15 for an Adidas backpack at 2 different shops. I found the EXACT same items in 2 other shops for exactly DOUBLE the price. So shop around and compare. There are some real bargains. And the only lady selling fridge magnets at $7? I have told her on 3 separate occasions she will never sell them and she is overpriced.

The Africans Bookshop looks a bit rundown but is an old favourite with backpackers. They sell second hand books and their selection depends a lot on what people have brought in. They are open Monday-Saturday 9am-1pm & 2:30-7pm.

Located just north of the Piazza and across the street from the British Council

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This is a small shop set up like most US/European coffee houses. It is usually full of people.
I don't drink the stuff myself but I did buy some 1/2 and 1/4 kilo bags as gifts.
They do sell sweets in here and tea so all is not lost but while I don't like drinking the stuff I do like the smell. You will find locals and expats in here

What to buy: Coffee...some say the best in the world????

What to pay: It's cheap....