Ethiopia’s state owned electricity provider is moving to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country, in a development that reflects both national policy direction and broader continental shifts towards low emission mobility.
The Ethiopian Electric Utility has confirmed that it is implementing a phased plan to establish a nationwide network of charging stations. According to the utility, the first phase will involve the construction of 40 stations, with the majority located in Addis Ababa and others distributed across nearby urban centres. Three stations have already been inaugurated in the capital, with additional facilities expected to become operational in the coming months.
The expansion comes amid a marked increase in electric vehicle uptake in Ethiopia’s capital. Data from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics indicates that more than 140000 electric vehicles are currently in operation in Addis Ababa. Estimates suggest that over 1100 charging stations may ultimately be required to meet demand, highlighting a significant infrastructure gap that the current rollout seeks to address.
The utility has indicated that each charging station is designed to accommodate up to 24 vehicles simultaneously and will incorporate battery management systems capable of monitoring performance and energy use. Charging tariffs are expected to range between 14 and 18 Ethiopian birr per kilowatt hour, positioning the service within a regulated pricing framework intended to support affordability while maintaining grid stability.
A second phase of development is expected to extend charging infrastructure into regional cities including Bishoftu, Mojo, Adama, Shashemene and Hawassa. This geographic expansion reflects an effort to move beyond a capital centric model and to align with patterns of urbanisation and intercity mobility.
Ethiopia’s approach to electric mobility has been shaped by a series of policy decisions in recent years. In 2024, the government restricted the import of fossil fuel powered vehicles for personal use while reducing taxes on electric alternatives. Research on emerging economies identifies Ethiopia as one of the few countries to adopt such measures at scale, positioning it as an early mover within the African electric mobility landscape. More broadly, continental studies suggest that similar policy instruments including fiscal incentives and regulatory limits on conventional vehicles are increasingly being considered across Africa as part of long term decarbonisation strategies.
The country’s energy profile provides a distinct context for this transition. Ethiopia possesses significant renewable energy resources, including hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal capacity. However, access to electricity remains uneven, with roughly half of the population connected to the grid. This dual reality introduces both opportunity and constraint, as the expansion of electric mobility is closely linked to the reliability and reach of electricity supply.
Recent directives from the Ethiopian Petroleum and Energy Authority encouraging reduced fuel consumption and greater uptake of alternative energy sources have further reinforced the policy environment supporting electric vehicles. These measures are partly a response to external pressures, including volatility in global oil markets, and reflect a broader strategy to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.
Across Africa, the transition to electric mobility is unfolding in varied ways, shaped by local energy systems, urban form and economic priorities. Studies of cities such as Addis Ababa emphasise the importance of integrated planning that links vehicle adoption with charging infrastructure and grid capacity. In this context, Ethiopia’s current infrastructure rollout can be understood as part of a wider continental effort to align transport development with energy transitions while responding to locally specific conditions.
The Ethiopian Electric Utility has stated that land has already been secured for the planned stations and that the initiative is intended to encourage participation from both public and private actors. As the network develops, its effectiveness is likely to depend not only on installation targets but also on operational reliability, pricing structures and the extent to which it can support diverse users across different regions.
