Ethiopia’s first taxi company in Addis Ababa

Around 1937, about a year and half through the second invasion of Ethiopia by Italy, a taxi company was operating by an Italian businessman named Sighnore Fernondo. The company opened its doors for service around Georgis Church of Arada as seen in the image. At the time, the taxis were dark brown and served only European residents around the city. Ethiopians were not allowed to ride them unless they were bandas or servitore አገልጋይ. My other source, which is The Armenian Weekly, has quoted that the first taxi service in Ethiopia began to operate in Addis Abeba by Armenian drivers in the year 1915 not in the year 1937. – Eduardo Byrono

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