Charging Data Shows That Ethiopia’s Electric Vehicle Landscape is Blossoming

Ethio Telecom has recently inaugurated its fourth public Super-Fast Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Hub in Adama, marking the first expansion of such infrastructure beyond the capital city, Addis Ababa. This development significantly increases the network’s capacity to serve up to 60 vehicles simultaneously across four hubs, with the latest station featuring advanced chargers compatible with both Chinese and European EV standards. This dual compatibility addresses a vital market need as Ethiopia’s EV fleet diversifies, positioning the country as a potential model for charging infrastructure across Africa. The first three charging hubs, located primarily along key corridors in Addis Ababa, have demonstrated substantial usage since their launch in February 2025. Over 284,000 charging sessions have been recorded, dispensing more than 7,000 megawatt-hours of electricity and preventing over 10 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. These figures underscore the rapid growth of Ethiopia’s electric mobility sector, which is supported by a robust network of ultra-fast and super-fast chargers designed to reduce charging times and facilitate the use of electric public transport vehicles. Ethiopia’s aggressive policies have played a crucial role in accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. The country became the first in the world to impose a total ban on the import of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including semi knocked down (SKD) and completely knocked down (CKD) kits, with no exemptions even for diplomatic imports. This regulatory framework has driven the number of electric vehicles on Ethiopian roads to over 120,000, with electric models accounting for more than 60% of new vehicle registrations in 2025—a figure expected to rise further in 2026 due to additional restrictions on ICE trucks. The expansion of Ethiopia’s EV infrastructure is closely linked to its renewable energy ambitions. The recently completed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), with a capacity of 5,150 MW, provides a significant portion of the country’s clean electricity, contributing 15,500 GWh annually. Further renewable projects, including the 1,800 MW Koysha hydropower plant under construction, will bolster Ethiopia’s energy mix, which is already over 90% renewable. These developments not only support the growing demand for electric mobility but also align with broader goals of electrification, industrialisation, and sustainable economic growth.