Since September 1994(G.C), the French language has been offered in the French Unit in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature as a minor to regular students of the Institute of Language Studies.

To run this program, a memorandum of co-operation agreement between the University of Addis Ababa and the French Government was signed on March 22, 1995. The agreement was signed by the Dean of the Institute of Language Studies and His Excellency, the Ambassador of France in Ethiopia, to offer French as a Minor program at Addis Ababa University, Institute of Language Studies, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. This Memorandum has been renewed every two years by the two parties.

According to Article Two of this Memorandum of Cooperation Agreement, Minor in French Program was created: "To pave the way for the future which can include the creation of a Major in French ..."

So far, the performance of the French Unit has been most satisfying. With 11 years of experience with the Minor Program, the team became ready to offer French as a major area of study, that is, a BA Program in French and Communication. To run these program a memorandum of co-operation agreement, between the University of Addis Ababa and the Embassy of France was signed on August 29; 2005  which is renewable every four years.