This study adopts a qualitative approach and uses the case study method. Fourteen researchers and librarians were interviewed in four organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The responses based on the semi-structured interviews provide information about the current status of scholarly communication, the awareness of researchers and librarians about open access and the actual and potential challenges in implementing open access strategies in Ethiopia. This research is believed to illuminate the practicalities and procedures of how open access scholarly communication models could foster and support knowledge sharing and collaboration among Ethiopian researchers.The results of the study show that Ethiopian researchers suffer from lack of adequate access to scholarly literature. There is also lack of scholarly communication outlets to publish and disseminate their research results. This study reveals that the current scholarly communication system in Ethiopia is faced with technological and social challenges. Open access is proposed as a viable alternative for Ethiopia. The research indicates that if Ethiopianuniversities and research institutions adopt open access policies and strategies, it would help them improve the access and dissemination of scientific research results. A concerted effort is required from administrators, librarians, researchers, funding agencies and government to implement and fully harness open access in Ethiopia.