Ethiopia shifts to electric vehicles to reduce fuel import dependency

Ethiopia has implemented a policy to transition its transport sector toward electric mobility to decrease its reliance on imported petroleum.

The government introduced restrictions in January 2024 that stopped the import of private vehicles powered by conventional fuels. This move aims to protect the national economy from fluctuations in international oil prices and conserve foreign currency. The National E-Mobility Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2025 to 2030 provides the framework for this transition.

It aims to establish 1,176 charging centers in Addis Ababa and 1,054 in regional areas by 2030, including facilities along major highways. The Ethiopian Electric Utility began expanding this public infrastructure in October 2026, opening new facilities in the capital and various regional cities. The country plans to leverage its renewable energy resources, particularly hydropower from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, to power these vehicles.

The strategy targets the local production or assembly of 30 percent of electric vehicles by 2030 to create domestic industrial opportunities. While the transition faces hurdles regarding grid upgrades and vehicle affordability, the government views the shift as a way to link environmental goals with economic resilience.