Addis Ababa has prohibited the import of combustion-engine vehicles, compelling drivers to transition to electric vehicles in a country with just a single public charging station.
In January, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics took a bold step of banning all imports of gasoline and diesel vehicles, thereby necessitating Ethiopian drivers to adopt electric vehicles. This unprecedented and astonishing decision comes despite the fact that less than half of the population has access to electricity. Yizengaw Yitayih, a senior climate expert at the ministry, explained that the rationale behind such a drastic regulation was “primarily an economic strategy. The directive primarily aims to assist us in rationalizing our foreign currency expenditures.”
With a population of 120 million, Ethiopia faces a severe scarcity of foreign currency and is striving to decrease its reliance on gasoline and diesel imports, which are projected to surpass €6 billion by 2023, according to government statistics. Samson said, “Mandating Ethiopians to switch to electric vehicles allows the government to achieve dual objectives: reducing fuel imports and introducing a forward-thinking environmental policy.”
