Ethiopia Leapfrogs Ahead With Africa’s First EV Directive

EV Charging Stations

Ethiopia has approved Africa’s first EV Charging Directive, paving the way for infrastructure expansion, enforcing licensing, and setting electrification goals. Ethiopia’s latest electric vehicle (EV) charging directive aims to establish EV charging stations every 50 km. The country also plans to replace 30% of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles within a decade. The plan is easily one of the most comprehensive and detailed EV transition plans in the region.

The directive is expected to help Ethiopia set the pace for Africa’s e-mobility future. However, challenges such as standardizing charging protocols, integrating battery swapping, and strengthening the grid persist. Ethiopia’s new directive aims to replace 432,000 ICE vehicles with EVs over 10 years, roughly 30% of the existing vehicle fleet. Currently, over 100,000 EVs are already in the country, though not necessarily on the roads. The directive also includes provisions for developing public charging infrastructure (PCI) for long-range EVs and heavy-duty EVs. The notification states that fast charging stations (FCS)—public charging stations for long-range EVs and heavy-duty EVs (such as trucks and buses)—will have the following:

• At least two chargers with a minimum capacity of 100 kW (250–750V or higher), each with different specifications (CCS and CHAdeMO) and a single connector gun.
• Appropriate liquid-cooled cables for high-speed charging to support onboard charging of fluid-cooled batteries.

Ethiopia government notification also includes a transitionary provision, stating: “EV charging service providers that entered the business before the enforcement of this directive must obtain a license within six months. Their electricity supply tariff may undergo revision, subject to good cause presented to the authority.”

License Terms and Renewal

Ethiopia notification states, “The EV charging service license shall be valid for two years. The license can be renewed by applying to the authority three months before the end of the renewal period. The tariff for the supply of electricity to EV public charging stations or captive stations from off-grid systems shall be determined by the authority as per issued off-grid tariff determination guidelines.”

The directive further specifies: “The current tariff for the supply of electricity to EV public charging stations or captive charging stations from the national grid shall be the same as the general tariff category unless a new tariff category is approved by the authority as necessary. This directive shall come into force as of the date it is registered by the Ministry of Justice.”