Comparing the two payments apps to help you pick the right one for Ethiopia.
| telebirr | CBE Birr | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Ethiopia's largest mobile money service, operated by Ethio Telecom (the state telecom provider). Rapidly becoming the standard for digital payments across the country, from restaurants to taxis. | Mobile banking and payment service from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the country's largest bank. Allows payments and transfers without a full bank account. |
| Essential? | Yes | No |
| Pro Tip | Register for telebirr at any Ethio Telecom shop with your passport. It is tied to your local SIM card. Load funds through a bank transfer or at any agent location. | CBE Birr and telebirr are interoperable for transfers, so you can send money between them. Having telebirr alone is sufficient for most traveler needs. |
| App Store | Download | Download |
| Play Store | Download | Download |
We recommend telebirr for payments in Ethiopia. Register for telebirr at any Ethio Telecom shop with your passport. It is tied to your local SIM card. Load funds through a bank transfer or at any agent location.
