Ethiopia is rolling out a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations as part of efforts to accelerate the transition to low-emission transport and cut reliance on imported fuel, the state utility said.
State-owned Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) said the programme will be implemented in two phases, beginning with the installation of 40 charging stations, most of them in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Three stations are already operational, while 32 more are expected to come online in the city in the coming months. A further eight are planned in surrounding areas as the rollout expands.
The initiative comes amid rapid growth in Ethiopia’s electric vehicle fleet, which has surged from virtually zero to more than 140,000 units within just a few years, according to the transport ministry.
To support this expansion, authorities plan to deploy about 2,300 charging points nationwide, including roughly half in Addis Ababa, underscoring the scale of infrastructure needed to sustain the shift.
The charging network forms part of Ethiopia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritises e-mobility as a way to curb fossil fuel imports and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Officials estimate the country spends more than US$1.4 billion annually on vehicle fuel, a burden the government is seeking to ease by promoting electric transport. In 2024, Ethiopia introduced a ban on the import of personal combustion-engine vehicles, alongside incentives to boost electric vehicle uptake.
The policy is supported by plans to import more than 439,000 electric vehicles, reflecting one of the most ambitious transitions to e-mobility on the continent.
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Ethiopia’s push is underpinned by its significant renewable energy potential. The country relies heavily on hydropower, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, alongside growing wind, solar and geothermal capacity.
However, challenges remain. Access to electricity is still limited, with only about half of the population connected to the grid, raising questions about the pace at which electric mobility can be scaled nationwide.
EEU said the rollout of charging infrastructure is also aimed at strengthening the broader energy system to support transport electrification, while creating opportunities for private sector participation.
Analysts say the success of the initiative will depend on parallel investments in power generation, grid expansion and regulatory frameworks to attract investors.
Despite these hurdles, Ethiopia’s strategy signals a decisive shift toward cleaner transport, positioning the country as an early mover in electric mobility adoption in Africa.
