Dubai Is the New DC for Many Ethiopians Settling in the UAE

November 2, 2026 | By Faisale Shefawe

Inside a recently opened Ethiopian restaurant, a group of men dressed in traditional Ethiopian clothing were dancing to celebrate Buhe, a traditional Ethiopian holiday. Behind them, a woman wearing similar traditional attire was preparing coffee as part of a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

The restaurant wasn’t in Addis Ababa or Washington, DC. It was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a city that is increasingly becoming similar to Washington, DC, with Ethiopian restaurants, clubs, and hair salons sprouting up everywhere.

Forty years ago, many Ethiopian traders traveled to Bombay, India, to import inexpensive products and resell them at substantial profits. Over time, however, Dubai became an increasingly attractive destination, offering access to wholesale goods, international suppliers, geographic proximity to Africa, and, perhaps most importantly, business-friendly policies.

Today, Ethiopians do more than travel to Dubai to purchase wholesale products or take vacations. Many have made the UAE their permanent home. They own restaurants, hair salons, clubs, real estate companies, and a wide range of other businesses.

One sign that Dubai is becoming another DC for Ethiopians is the growing visibility of real estate agents marketing properties to Ethiopian buyers. On social media, agents regularly showcase beautifully designed homes, some priced in the millions of dollars, for use as residences or investments.

Getaneh Iskinder, the owner of AntoxMedia, moved to Dubai in 2024. His company helps businesses attract customers through online advertising, particularly in the real estate industry. His wife, a real estate agent, also uses his services: he generates leads, and she closes the deals.

He appreciates the sense of community among Ethiopians in Dubai. “I love how we support one another. When someone is new, the community helps them find work, a place to live, and a way to settle in,” Getaneh Iskinder said. “Most of the time, I feel like I’m back home. The language, the food, the coffee ceremonies, and the humor all make Dubai feel familiar.”

Another similarity between Dubai and the Washington, DC, area is the vibrant entertainment scene catering to Ethiopians. Clubs and lounges host popular Ethiopian musicians and social media personalities. At times, it seems that anyone who goes viral on Instagram or TikTok during the week could be performing or making an appearance in Dubai by the weekend.

One of the recognizable faces of Dubai’s Ethiopian entertainment scene is Matiwos Getachwe, a social media influencer with more than 600,000 followers on TikTok. He frequently promotes Ethiopian restaurants across the city and welcomes visiting musicians and celebrities at the airport, while encouraging his followers to attend upcoming concerts and shows. Matiwos declined an interview request for this article.

Dubai’s growing Ethiopian community is also attracting members of the diaspora living in the United States and Europe. Some stop in the UAE for a few days on their way to Addis Ababa or on their return from vacation.

Tsedeniya Mechal, a college student in Italy, visited Dubai last summer for the fifth time. To her, the city represents an appealing mix of luxury, convenience, and familiarity. “For an Ethiopian, Dubai feels like paradise. You can find almost everything you want, from food and beauty products to luxury goods, often at more affordable prices,” Tsedeniya said. “Even restaurants and coffeehouses that are popular in Addis Ababa are opening branches here.”

Although regional tensions involving Iran and the United States have created economic uncertainty, Dubai continues to attract businesses and residents from around the world. For Ethiopians in the UAE, the city is rapidly emerging as one of the most prominent diaspora hubs outside Ethiopia, potentially rivaling the Washington, DC, area in its business and cultural presence.

Source: FSX Business News