Country Overview
Legal forms of philanthropic organizations included in the law: Association, Cooperative, Endowment, Foundation, Society, Trust, Religious Institution, Traditional Institution (such as Equb and Edir)
Generally, philanthropic organizations (POs) in Ethiopia under the 2019 Ethiopian CSO Law are classified into two broad groups - local and foreign. Under these two broad groups, the subclassifications include Board-Led Consortium, Board-Led Organizations, Charitable Organization, Charitable Committee, Charitable Endowment, Charitable Trust, Mass-Based Association, and Professional Association.
Main social issues addressed by these organizations: Basic Needs, Food, Water and Sanitation, Youth and Family
The primary causes that civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia engage with are: social empowerment, humanitarian assistance and relief, poverty reduction, and capacity building, as well as health and education.
Average time established by law to register a philanthropic organization: 31-60 days
Average cost for registering a philanthropic organization: USD 100
Government levels primarily regulating the incorporation of philanthropic organizations: Central/Federal Government, State Government
Suppose organizations are operating in only one regional state. In that case, it is governed by the region's own CSO Law if it has one, or by the 1960 Civil Code if the region does not have its own CSO Law (Council on Foundations, 2020). However, most CSOs formally registered in the country operate at the multi-regional level and therefore are governed by the country's federal CSO Law (Council on Foundations, 2020).