5 Best VPNs for Ethiopia in 2024

In Ethiopia, Internet users face harsh restrictions, monitoring, and content blocks as the government conducts heavy surveillance and censorship. Many websites, social media platforms, and VoIP services have been blocked in the past. The state-owned Ethio Telecom is the biggest ISP in the country, and it tracks all online activities. Internet freedom is nonexistent.

Moreover, Ethiopians have trouble accessing global websites and streaming services due to regional restrictions. With a VPN, you can bypass the heavy restrictions and maintain digital privacy. A VPN will also allow you to unblock geo-restricted content and ensure you can access apps like TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and YouTube without interruptions while keeping you safe from surveillance.

In this article, we’ll review the best VPNs for Ethiopia and explain how to use one to access the Internet safely. Then, we’ll discuss why you need a VPN in Ethiopia, how to pinpoint the best one, answer some important FAQs, and much more. 

Top 5 VPNs for Ethiopia - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Ethiopia in 2024
2. Surfshark - Extra-Secure VPN for Ethiopia with Many Server Locations
3. ExpressVPN – High-End Ethiopia VPN with Total Data Obfuscation
4. CyberGhost VPN – Easy Way to Access Ethiopian and International Content
5. Private Internet Access - Safest Way to Encrypt Your Connection from Ethiopia

How to Use a VPN in Ethiopia

Once you pick a suitable VPN provider, you need to sign up for an account and download its software. This is when you can start connecting to servers, done in the following way:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works in Ethiopia (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the VPN app and install it on your device.
3. Open the VPN and log in using your account credentials. 
4. Connect to VPN servers in countries from which you want to access content. 
5. Now, you can use the Internet privately and safely in Ethiopia.

Due to various restrictions, there are no reputable VPNs with Ethiopian servers. All our recommendations come with servers in nearby countries instead, allowing you to secure your connection, protect your privacy, and unblock global content online.

The Best VPNs for Ethiopia in 2024

To find a suitable option, follow the necessary features we lay out in our detailed guide on the best VPNs with the most servers. First, make sure that the VPN offers a large network of servers with servers in countries neighboring Ethiopia, such as Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. 

The VPN you choose should be able to unblock websites inside and outside Ethiopia and stream ETV, Addis TV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. You must also look for a provider that offers obfuscated servers and a kill-switch mechanism. Fast speeds and reliable performance are also crucial.

Ensure the VPN follows a no-logs policy and employs top-notch encryption and protocols like OpenVPN and Wireguard. It should also offer multiple simultaneous connections to use on different devices, like smartphones, routers, computers, and more. Lastly, it should offer a fair price, a generous money-back guarantee, as well as excellent customer support. 

Based on the factors discussed above, these are the 5 best VPNs to use in Ethiopia in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Ethiopia in 2024

NordVPN offers 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, with servers in countries near Ethiopia, including South Africa. This allows you to unblock local and international content, including Netflix, ETV, Amazon Prime, Addis TV, and dozens of other digital platforms.

When it comes to its overall performance, NordVPN is very consistent. It's among the fastest VPN providers right now, ensuring your access to both nearby and remote connections is equally fast. This provider also follows a no-logs policy with independent auditing and uses robust VPN protocols such as NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec.

It also employs advanced security features like a kill switch, strong AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, private DNS, and more. Furthermore, NordVPN offers obfuscated and 'Onion over VPN' servers. Plus, NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections, which allows you to connect multiple devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, routers, and more.

You can sign up for only $3.09/month (2-year subscription plan). There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee for customer satisfaction. Finally, the VPN offers 24/7 customer support with live chat, tutorials, and extensive FAQs.

2. Surfshark - Extra-Secure VPN for Ethiopia with Many Server Locations

Surfshark is a user-friendly VPN that leaves no stone unturned regarding digital security. This VPN has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. You'll also find servers near Ethiopia for fast connections, like those in South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. That said, it's no surprise that this VPN unblocks any website out there, and that includes tons of Netflix libraries, Prime Video, Addis TV, ETV, and more.

This provider is also known for its performance, offering fast and stable connections overall. You can also count on its no-logs policy, which has been audited multiple times in the past. Plus, there are protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec to secure your data tunnel.

In terms of other privacy/security features, you can count on a kill switch across all its supported devices, as well as encryption ciphers, such as AES-256 and ChaCha20. You'll also like the fact that Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections. It also offers apps for any device out there.

Right now, this VPN is priced at $2.19/month (2-year subscription plan). Your purchase comes backed by a 30-day money-back policy, meaning there are no risks involved. We'll finish by saying that Surfshark also offers 24/7 live chat customer support and tons of other support channels.

3. ExpressVPN – High-End Ethiopia VPN with Total Data Obfuscation

ExpressVPN is a long-standing VPN that offers thousands of servers in 105 countries with servers near Ethiopia, including Egypt and South Africa. Also, this provider has the ability to unblock websites inside and outside Ethiopia, so you can easily stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, ETV, and Addis TV.

ExpressVPN delivers super-fast speeds. It provides reliable overall performance as it connects quickly, and it allows you to bypass restrictions while masking your IP address. It also has a strict no-logs policy, and it uses advanced AES 256-bit and WolfSSL encryption. It also offers strong VPN protocols, which include Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec.

Besides that, it offers high-end security features like private DNS, split tunneling, and a kill switch mechanism. All of its servers also have built-in obfuscation technology. With ExpressVPN, you can connect to multiple devices, such as phones, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, routers, smart TVs, and more. Even better, it allows up to 8 simultaneous connections.

The lowest you can pay for this VPN is $6.67/month (annual plan). It comes risk-free due to its 30-day money-back policy. Lastly, ExpressVPN offers excellent 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, and you'll also find tons of installation guides and similar.

4. CyberGhost VPN – Easy Way to Access Ethiopian and International Content

CyberGhost has thousands of servers in 100 countries, with servers near Ethiopia in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. With this huge network, the VPN allows you to unblock websites inside and outside Ethiopia, so you can stream Netflix, ETV, Addis TV, and Amazon Prime. In fact, this VPN can unblock 50+ streaming services.

Furthermore, CyberGhost has medium-fast speeds and consistent overall performance. It's not as fast as its competitors, but it's still suitable for practically any online activity. The VPN doesn’t have obfuscated servers, but it follows a stringent no-logs policy. Plus, you'll find protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec.

CyberGhost also has a kill switch designed to work in the background, meaning that there's no risk of a data leak. And, in terms of encryption, you'll get AES-256 and ChaCha20. CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous connections, so you can use it on phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and more.

This VPN's 2-year plan currently costs $2.03/month. There's even a generous 45-day money-back policy. CyberGhost also offers helpful customer support, including live chat, email support, and extensive FAQs, in addition to in-depth installation guides.

5. Private Internet Access - Safest Way to Encrypt Your Connection from Ethiopia

Private Internet Access offers an extensive network of thousands of servers in 90+ countries. You can find servers relatively close to Ethiopia, with locations covering South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria. Using those, you'll get to unblock domestic and foreign content, which includes online platforms like Netflix, ETV, Prime Video, and Addis TV.

Though it's not the fastest option available, PIA can promise to deliver relatively fast and stable Web connections across all its servers. There's also a strict no-logs policy. Plus, PIA's apps are open source, showing that it has nothing to hide. We'll also mention that you get protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec.

PIA has several types of kill switches, allowing you to really fine-tune how your VPN connection behaves if something unexpected happens. There are also AES-128/256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, as well as support for unlimited simultaneous connections. Plus, you get applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and more.

This provider offers a great price as well, only $2.03/month (2-year plan). You'll be happy to know that your purchase is backed by a 30-day money-back policy. If you encounter any issues, you'll get to turn to this VPN's 24/7 live chat customer support.

10 Reasons Why You Need a VPN for Ethiopia

Using a VPN, you can browse the Web anonymously, unblock online content, ensure you're not tracked online, as well as bypass ISP-induced throttling. Here's more information on the benefits of a VPN:

• Avoid Local Censorship Measures – In Ethiopia, many sites and services have been or are currently banned, including popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok; news and political websites; human rights and LGBT sites; file-sharing platforms; messaging services like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram; and VoIP services like Facetime, Skype, and Google Talk. A VPN will allow you to access all banned websites and services safely.
• Full Access to Global Content – With a VPN, you can access any content that is geo-restricted. Simply connect to a server in the country that offers what you want to access. 
• Anonymous Web Browsing – A capable VPN for Ethiopia will offer high-end encryption, which is necessary to avoid tracking by the government, ISPs, and hackers.
• Use Public Wi-Fi Networks Safely – When you connect to public Wi-Fi, your information is exposed to hackers and cybercriminals. A VPN will keep you safe and protect your privacy. 
• Bypass Bandwidth Regulation – Bandwidth throttling occurs when your ISP slows down your Internet after sensing high data consumption. A VPN will hide your data usage, so you won’t experience any reductions in speed. 
• Visit Home Sites from Abroad – If you are traveling from Ethiopia to any other country, you will need a VPN to access your local content from home while abroad.  
• Get a More Optimized Gaming Session – A VPN can improve your gaming experience by reducing lagging and shielding you from DDoS attacks and doxxing.
• Download Torrents Anonymously – You can use VPN protection to safely torrent as it will mask your identity and download activities. 
• Eliminate Price Discrimination – If you often shop online, you might come across higher prices in certain locations. Set up VPN protection to overcome price discrimination and get the best deals. 
• Shop Safely Online – Online shopping can be risky because of cybercriminals and hackers who are always looking to steal sensitive information. To shop safely online, a good VPN is recommended to keep your transactions secure.  

Tips for Finding the Perfect VPN for Ethiopia

To find truly the best option available, focus on finding a VPN with an evenly distributed network, fast speeds, and the ability to unblock any type of online content. Plus, you'll want strong security features, data leak protections, and reliable customer support. Here's more information:

• Server Network Size and Spread: There are no Ethiopian VPNs with local servers, so you'll want to focus on servers in nearby countries as well as worldwide.
• Speedy and Stable Performance: Internet speeds aren't great in Ethiopia. The last thing you need is a VPN that throttles your Web connection.
• Access to Geo-Blocked Content: Domestic and international servers will help you unblock new types of websites, evade local censorship, and open up your Web access.
• Support for Obfuscation: Obfuscation will allow you to use smaller data packets, which is crucial in a country like Ethiopia, where Internet surveillance is widespread.
• Integrated Kill Switch: This VPN will keep data leaks away. A kill switch shuts down your connection if anything unexpected happens with your VPN session.
• Privacy and Security Basics: Make sure your chosen VPN uses OpenVPN or WireGuard and that these protocols are paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption.
• Simultaneous Connections: You'll want enough simultaneous connections, allowing you to cover all your Web-connected devices with a single subscription.
• Native Software: Avoid VPNs that ask you to configure VPN connections manually. Instead, go for one that offers native software across the board.
• Fair Pricing: Our strong recommendation is to get a long-term subscription, which is how you can save quite a lot in the long term.
• Generous Money-Back Policy: A money-back guarantee helps you test-drive a VPN for free, which is how you can eliminate any risk associated with getting a VPN.
• 24/7 Customer Support: You'll want handy assistance if technical issues arise, so having access to 24/7 live chat customer support is mandatory.

Final Thoughts

Ethiopia has some of the most stringent Internet censorship and rampant surveillance in the world. Numerous sites, social media platforms, and VoIP services are blocked, among many other types of content. Not to mention, the biggest ISP in the country is owned and controlled by the government. For these reasons, using a VPN is crucial.

The smartest decision is to pick NordVPN, as it offers super-fast speeds and multiple servers in nearby countries. It also easily unblocks any type of geo-restricted and censored content while helping you avoid government monitoring. With NordVPN running in the background of your Web connection, you’ll be able to access the Internet freely and safely.

That’s all for our guide on choosing a VPN to protect your Web connection from Ethiopia. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!