KES to ETB — KENYAN SHILLING Exchange Rate
Compare KES/ETB rates across all Ethiopian banks
As of , Awash Bank offers the best KES buying rate in Ethiopia at 1.2626 ETB per KES. Gadaa Bank offers the most competitive selling rate at 0.9816 ETB.
KES/ETB Rates — All Banks
7 banks tracked
| Bank↓ | Cash Buy↓ | Cash Sell↓ | Trans. Buy↓ | Trans. Sell↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Awash BankBEST BUY AWIN | 1.2626 | 1.2879 | 1.2626 | 1.2879 |
 Tsedey Bank TSDY | 1.1959 | 1.2198 | 1.1959 | 1.2198 |
 Tsehay Bank TSCP | 1.1959 | 1.2198 | 1.1959 | 1.2198 |
 Dashen Bank DASH | 1.1953 | 1.2192 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
 Bank Of Abyssinia ABYS | 1.1949 | 1.2188 | 1.1949 | 1.2188 |
 Gadaa Bank GDAA | 0.9624 | 0.9816 | 0.9624 | 0.9816 |
 Enat BankBEST SELL ENAT | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
About KENYAN SHILLING (KES)
The Kenyan Shilling is one of the most practically relevant regional currencies for Ethiopia given the two countries' shared border and significant bilateral trade flows. Kenya and Ethiopia are both members of IGAD and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the two economies are increasingly integrated through trade corridors, investment, and infrastructure projects. The KES/ETB exchange rate is important for cross-border traders and businesses operating along the Addis Ababa–Nairobi economic corridor.
The Addis Ababa–Nairobi road corridor is one of the busiest trade routes in East Africa.
Kenya and Ethiopia are co-developing cross-border infrastructure including roads and energy interconnections.
Nairobi serves as a major financial and logistics hub for East Africa, and many Ethiopian businesses maintain banking relationships with Kenyan institutions.
How to Read KES/ETB Rates
The table above shows four rate columns for each bank. Understanding what each column means will help you choose the right bank and rate type for your transaction.
Cash Buying Rate
This is the birr amount the bank pays you when you exchange KES banknotes at a branch. If you are converting physical KES into ETB, this is your rate. Higher is better for you.
Cash Selling Rate
This is how much birr you pay to buy KES banknotes at a branch. If you need physical KES for travel or personal use, this is the rate you pay. Lower is better for you.
Transaction Buying Rate
Applied to non-cash inbound transfers such as incoming wire transfers, remittances, and export proceeds received in KES. Usually slightly better than the cash rate because handling costs are lower.
Transaction Selling Rate
Applied to outgoing wire transfers, import payments, and other non-cash transactions sent abroad in KES. This is the rate used when paying an overseas supplier or sending an international transfer.
Tips for KES Transactions in Ethiopia
- →Compare before you go. Sort the table by "Cash Buying" or "Cash Selling" depending on your transaction direction. Even a small rate difference per unit of KES can add up significantly on larger amounts.
- →Check both rate types. If you are receiving a wire transfer in KES, ask your bank for the transaction buying rate — it is usually more favourable than the cash rate.
- →Transact during business hours. Ethiopian banks only update rates on business days. Rates posted on the last business day before a holiday remain in effect until the next update, so time-sensitive transactions are best completed early in the week.
- →Use the converter for exact amounts. Head to the Currency Converter to calculate precisely how many birr you will receive or need for a specific amount of KES at today's rates.
- →Monitor historical trends. Visit any individual bank page to see a 30-day historical rate chart. This helps you judge whether rates are trending up or down and whether it is a good time to exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions about KES in Ethiopia
Why do KES/ETB rates change every day?
The National Bank of Ethiopia publishes a reference rate every business day based on interbank trading and broader market conditions. Each commercial bank then sets its own buying and selling rates within a permitted band around that reference. Global movements in the KES value, Ethiopia's trade balance, and foreign currency supply in the banking system all influence where the rate lands on any given day.
Which bank offers the best KES rate today?
This changes daily. Use the sort feature in the rates table at the top of this page to instantly rank all banks by their buying or selling rate for KES. The "Best Buying" and "Best Selling" figures in the header always show the current top-performing bank.
Can I exchange KES at any Ethiopian bank?
Most major Ethiopian commercial banks accept KES for exchange, though availability at specific branches may vary. It is always advisable to call ahead to confirm that the branch has sufficient foreign currency inventory, particularly for larger amounts or less common currencies.
Are the rates on this page the same as at the bank counter?
The rates shown here are sourced from banks' officially published rate sheets and are updated multiple times per business day. They are accurate at the time of the last update (shown at the top of the page), but intra-day revisions at a specific branch may mean the counter rate differs slightly. Confirm the rate with the teller before finalising your transaction.
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