Has Ethiopia’s electric vehicle policy paid off?

In January 2024, Ethiopia made history as the first country in the world to ban the import of petrol and diesel vehicles, aiming to tackle fuel dependence and pollution.

A year on, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a common sight in the capital Addis Ababa, but the country still faces major hurdles. There are issues around the high costs of the electric vehicles, limited charging stations, and a shortage of repair services. Despite these challenges, the government is determined to push forward, with plans to import 500,000 EVs by 2030.

Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal and Hilina Legesse, VP of Ethiopia’s first EV manufacturer, Dodai.