Voice of America (VOA) now offers a daily, one-hour Amharic news programme airing at 15:00 local time in Ethiopia. The broadcast, designed to serve Amharic-speaking audiences, combines concise headlines, interviews, in-depth reports and topical features on business, agriculture and public health.
3pm Amharic news reaches Ethiopian listeners daily
The programme is transmitted on shortwave bands 22, 25 and 31 metres and is available via online streaming in multiple bitrates (128 kbps, 64 kbps and 32 kbps) to suit different connection speeds. Apple Podcasts subscribers can also find dedicated episodes. VOA aims to ensure that listeners across urban and rural areas can access reliable news and current affairs in Amharic.
Each edition runs for 60 minutes and follows a consistent structure to serve busy audiences. The first segment offers a roundup of the day’s top national and international headlines. Subsequent items include interviews with experts, reports from correspondents and analytical pieces that explore the implications of key developments. Regular thematic slots cover commerce, innovation in agriculture, tax and economic policy, and health updates.
The daily schedule has been promoted as part of VOA’s wider effort to increase the availability of impartial information in local languages. By delivering timely news in Amharic at a fixed hour each day, the broadcaster seeks to build a dependable listening habit and to reach audiences who rely on radio and podcast formats.
Technical distribution emphasises redundancy and accessibility. Shortwave transmission on the 22, 25 and 31 metre bands helps reach listeners in areas with limited internet. Online streams are offered in several bitrates so users can choose the quality that matches their bandwidth. The programme’s presence on podcast platforms allows listeners to catch up at their convenience.
VOA’s Amharic service also provides links to related content in Afaan Oromoo and Kinyarwanda, reflecting the broadcaster’s regional focus. The availability of multiple language services on the same platform enables cross-listening and facilitates wider public understanding of regional issues.
For audiences and partners, VOA highlights easy ways to connect: tune in to the shortwave broadcast at 15:00 Ethiopia time, stream the MP3 feeds online, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts. The broadcaster encourages listeners to follow programme segments for deeper reporting on commerce, food security and agriculture, and to use dedicated contact channels to send feedback or suggest coverage topics.
By maintaining a regular daily slot and offering multiple delivery channels, VOA’s 3pm Amharic news strengthens access to balanced reporting for Amharic speakers in Ethiopia and beyond. The approach reflects a wider commitment to meeting audience needs through a mix of traditional broadcast and digital services, ensuring that important news and public-information content remain within reach.
Key Takeaways:
- VOA airs a daily one-hour Amharic programme at 3pm Ethiopia time across shortwave bands and online.
- The 3pm Amharic news includes headlines, interviews and current affairs, plus special segments on business, agriculture and health.
- Listeners can access the programme on shortwave (22, 25 and 31 metre bands), streaming MP3 and Apple Podcasts.
- VOA’s expanded reach supports reliable information access for Amharic speakers in Ethiopia and the wider region.

















