Ethiopia is preparing to make a historic leap into the future of sustainable mobility. With a surprising announcement, the Minister of Transport Alemu Sime has announced the total ban on internal combustion cars in favor of electric ones by 2024.
The decision, which projects Ethiopia into a dimension of ecological avant-garde, has deep roots in the economic and environmental needs of the country. With a massive investment in renewable energy and a commitment to a greener future, Ethiopia will save billions of dollars in fossil fuel imports, which it simply can no longer afford.
Ethiopia, a leap into the future
Ethiopia's decision to adopt an electric-only mobility policy is a bold step, positioning it among the world leaders in sustainable innovation. The ban on internal combustion cars, apparently an ecological choice, is actually a strategic response to the country's economic challenges.
With annual expenses of 6 billion dollars in oil imports, the transition to electric represents a practically obligatory, economically sustainable and long-term solution for Ethiopia.
The decision has been made. Cars will not be able to enter Ethiopia unless they are electric
Alemu Sime, Ethiopian Minister of Transport
Renewable energy at the center
The heart of this green revolution in Ethiopia is its wealth in renewable resources. The country is making great strides in developing hydroelectric and solar projects. In particular, Ethiopia can boast an impressive electricity generation capacity. How much? A lot. Over 1 million megawatts from wind energy and more than 50.000 megawatts from hydroelectric. The much discussed GERD hydroelectric plant, in particular, is a pillar of this strategy. Once operational, the plant will not only cover national energy needs, but will also offer the possibility of exporting energy, generating a positive economic impact for the country.
This impressive energy supply already allows us to cover over 95% of the national electricity needs. However, one challenge remains: almost half of Ethiopia's population is still not connected to the electricity grid, an obstacle the government is committed to overcoming as part of its sustainable development strategy.
The electric car, however, does not live on energy alone. Ethiopia will face significant challenges, especially in building an adequate infrastructure for electric cars. Currently, the charging network is limited, and the government will need to work to rapidly expand it to meet future demand. Paradoxically, with the lowest rate of motorization in the world, Ethiopia has the unique opportunity to build an electric mobility system from scratch, avoiding the mistakes and environmental problems associated with the era of the internal combustion engine.
An example for the world
Ethiopia's bold step towards an electric mobility future could inspire other developing countries to follow… Close behind. In a world where the fight against climate change is becoming increasingly urgent, the Ethiopian initiative demonstrates that the transition to a greener economy is possible even for nations that do not have the economic resources of more developed countries.
With the recent membership of the BRICS countries and this "electric" choice, Ethiopia wants to demonstrate that political will and investment in renewables can bring a cleaner and more sustainable future. Fingers crossed!
