Africa Forum on Harnessing Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation

The Africa Forum on Harnessing Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation will be
held from 27 to 29 October 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The FAO Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana, will arrange air tickets for FAO-sponsored
participants based on the following travel dates, subject to flight availability:

• Expected arrival in Addis Ababa: 26 October 2026
• Expected departure from Addis Ababa: 30 October 2026

Participants will bear any additional costs arising from voluntary flight changes or extensions
unrelated to the forum.
Please complete the required participation details on the registration page.

Hotel shuttle transfers will be available upon arrival at Bole International Airport. Drivers and hotel
representatives are not permitted inside the arrivals hall.
After completing arrival formalities, exit the arrivals hall, turn right, and proceed to the designated hotel
shuttle parking area. Look for a shuttle displaying the FAO / AFRICA-SIF sign and the name of your
hotel.
Important: Proceed directly to the shuttle parking area; no reception service is available inside the
terminal. Focal point: Mr. Obsa (FAO Logistics, Transport and Fleet management): [email protected]
+251 911 792677

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference Centre (ECA Conference Centre)
Menelik II Avenue, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The meeting will be conducted in English and French with simultaneous interpretation available.

The following guidelines apply on ECA premises:

• Wear your conference badge visibly and present it upon request by authorized
personnel.
• Do not leave bags and parcels unattended; they will be confiscated or destroyed.
• Do not bring unauthorized persons or children into the Conference Centre.
• Safeguard any valuable property.
• Check that you have all your documents and personal items before you leave the
conference halls and meeting rooms.
• Inform the Security and Safety Service or the nearest security officer if you lose any
valuable items on the premises.

• FAO will arrange bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the Hilton and Radisson Blu
hotels for FAO-sponsored participants.
• Self-sponsored participants may use the same hotels or choose from the additional
recommended options listed in the annex. They are responsible for making their own hotel
reservations and covering all related costs.
Note: FAO will not cover incidental hotel expenses, including dinner, laundry, telephone charges, or
room service. All participants, including those sponsored by FAO, must settle these charges before
check-out.

All foreign nationals must obtain a visa before travelling to Ethiopia, except citizens of Djibouti and
Kenya.
Participants requiring a conference visa should send a scanned passport copy to Yemenzework
Gebreamlak at [email protected], copying [email protected], at least 10
working days before departure.
FAO will provide invitation letters upon request to support visa applications.
Conference visas may be issued on arrival upon presentation of an approved visa permit.
A visa fee of USD 52 is payable at the airport. UN Laissez-Passer (UNLP) holders are exempt from
this fee but must obtain the required visa permit before travel. 

Eligible participants may also apply online through the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal:
https://www.evisa.gov.et.
Note: Passports must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry.
Participants travelling on UN Laissez-Passer (UNLP) are advised to verify visa requirements in
advance, as a visa may still be required depending on nationality and travel purpose.
Fraudulent website warning
Use only the official Ethiopian e-Visa website: https://www.evisa.gov.et/. Other websites may
imitate the official portal.
Applications or payments submitted through unofficial websites are not recognized by the
Government of Ethiopia, which accepts no responsibility for resulting losses or inconvenience.

A residual Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be paid to the bank accounts of FAO-sponsored
participants to cover ground transportation between home, airport, and hotel, as well as dinner and
incidental expenses.
Currency
The local currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB), and exchange rates fluctuate.
Current exchange rates are available from the National Bank of Ethiopia: https://nbebank.com/#dailyexchange-
rate.

Two tea/coffee breaks will be provided each day of the forum.
• Lunch will be provided on 27, 28, and 29 October 2026.

Weather 

October marks the beginning of the dry season in Addis Ababa, with generally mild days and cool
nights. Average daytime temperatures are approximately 21°C–23°C (70°F–73°F), while nighttime
temperatures may fall to 8°C–12°C (45°F–53°F). Participants are advised to bring a light jacket.

Participants should consult a travel-health professional before departure and ensure that routine
vaccinations are up to date. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for travellers
arriving from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of yellow fever
transmission.

Required and Recommended Vaccinations

• Yellow fever: Carry a valid certificate if your itinerary triggers Ethiopia’s entry requirement.
• Routine vaccines: Ensure vaccinations such as MMR, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis,
influenza, and polio are up to date.
• Travel vaccines: Depending on individual circumstances, a health professional may
recommend hepatitis A, typhoid, or other vaccines.
• Risk-based vaccines: Hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal, and cholera vaccination may
be considered based on itinerary, length of stay, health status, and current guidance.

Health Risks and Precautions

• Malaria: Risk varies by location and altitude. Seek medical advice if travelling outside
Addis Ababa or to lower-altitude areas, and follow mosquito-bite precautions.
4
•Food and Water: Drink only bottled or boiled water, avoid ice, and eat well-cooked, hot food.
•Altitude Sickness: Addis Ababa and other popular regions sit at high elevations, which can cause symptoms in some visitors.
Traveller health declaration and airport screening
Travellers should check current Ethiopian public-health entry measures before departure. Additional health screening may apply depending on recent travel history.
•Before departure: Complete the Ethiopia Traveller Health Declaration at e-thtp.ephi.gov.et and retain the declaration ID or QR code.
•On arrival: Be prepared for health screening and to provide relevant travel-history information if requested.
•After arrival: Monitor your health and promptly seek medical advice if you develop fever or other concerning symptoms.
Health requirements may change at short notice. Confirm the latest guidance with your airline and the relevant health or immigration authorities before travel.
In case of medical emergencies, contact:
United Nations Health Care Centre services
•The United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC), located on the ground floor of the United Nations Conference Centre, provides emergency medical support to conference participants.
•Treatment for acute conditions is available on a cost-recovery basis; payment responsibility will depend on arrangements made by the participant or conference organizer.
•Where 24-hour emergency coverage has been arranged, the service charge is USD 1 per external participant per day.
•For emergency situations, the Health Care Centre can be reached at the following telephone numbers:
• Reception: +251 11 544 3548 or +251 11 544 5502
• Emergency department and ambulance: +251 92 990 8433 or +251 11 544 5502

Hospitals in Addis Ababa

•iCMC General Hospital – +251 94 902 0202
•American Medical Centre – +251 11 667 8000
•Hayat Hospital – +251 11 661 4250
•Brass Hospital – +251 11 662 0092
•Saint Yared General Hospital: +251 11 645 4697