Could Ethiopia Be the First Country to Go 100% Electric?

As of early 2024, Ethiopia announced a nationwide ban on the import of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. That means if you want to bring a car into the country, it has to be electric. 

In a world where nations debate, delay, or struggle to meet climate goals, Ethiopia has quietly taken a bold step and the rest of the world is beginning to notice.

While some headlines have floated the idea that Ethiopia might be the first country in the world to make such a sweeping move, it’s a complex claim that depends on definitions and future developments. 

Still, one thing is clear: Ethiopia is doing something many larger economies are only talking about.

Why Ethiopia and Why Now?

For years, Africa has faced hurdles in adopting electric vehicles (EVs), from shaky power infrastructure to high costs. But in countries like Ethiopia, the push toward EVs is picking up surprising speed driven by more than just climate concerns.

Fuel is expensive to import, and for a country trying to lift millions out of poverty, those costs matter. Ethiopia’s electricity, on the other hand, is largely renewable about 96% of it comes from hydropower, thanks to major projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. In other words, electricity is cleaner and cheaper. 

That’s a strong argument for switching to electric cars, buses, and motorbikes. And people are noticing the difference. In Addis Ababa, some EV owners are already enjoying the perks, no more long fuel queues, no sudden price hikes, just home charging and quieter rides. 

The city now has fleets of electric buses, minibuses, and an estimated 100,000 EVs already on the road and that number is expected to keep rising.

More than just cars

It’s not just about private vehicles. Local companies are assembling electric buses. Chinese parts are being put together in Ethiopian factories. Even motorbikes widely used across East Africa are being converted to electric models, with the government tightening rules around fuel-powered versions.

Across the region, similar momentum is building. In Kenya, a tax incentive recently caused a 500% spike in electric boda bodas (motorbikes). 

It’s early days, but there’s a growing feeling that East Africa might leapfrog into the electric age just like it once skipped landlines and went straight to mobile phones.

But is it that simple?

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Ethiopia’s EV infrastructure is still a work in progress. Charging stations are few and far between, especially outside big cities. Maintenance can be tricky.

Some EV owners have even gone back to gas cars because they couldn’t find mechanics or spare parts.

The cost of EVs is another issue. Even with reduced taxes EV import duty is now as low as 15%, compared to up to 200% for gas cars before the ban, most buyers are still in the higher income bracket. That leaves many Ethiopians waiting for more affordable options or better public transport.

But the government seems aware of these challenges. Officials are already working on more public charging stations and encouraging local manufacturing, which could bring prices down over time.

What you should know

Whether Ethiopia truly becomes the first 100% electric vehicle country is something the future will decide. But what’s happening now is undeniable: a developing country, long overlooked in global climate debates, is choosing to lead.

In doing so, Ethiopia raises a bigger question for the rest of the world, If a country with limited infrastructure and a lower income economy can attempt this kind of transformation, what’s stopping wealthier nations from doing the same?

Maybe it’s not about who goes first, but who dares to try.