How state telco is driving Ethiopia’s EV charging push

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Ethio Telecom, a phone company owned by the Ethiopian government, is taking on a bigger role in the country’s electric vehicles push. The firm has launched a new fast EV charging station in the capital Addis Ababa. The station builds on the success of its first charging facility launched in February 2025 which it says has already charged 14,280 EVs. 

• With a population of more than 128 million, Ethiopia is one of Africa’s largest EV markets with more than 100,000 EVs in the country, according to the US International Trade Administration. This mainly consists of two-wheelers, but the number of electric cars and buses is also growing.  

• The size of the EV market is projected to grow rapidly, given the country’s recent policy shift. Ethiopia became the first country in the world to ban the import of non-electric vehicles in January 2024. The ban was put in place to reduce pollution and the country's reliance on fuel.

More details

• The new station in Addis is capable of charging up to 16 electric vehicles simultaneously, bringing the telco’s total EV charging capacity to 32. The chargers are capable of replenishing batteries at a rate equivalent to traveling 1 km per second, depending on the model and vehicle’s capabilities.

• It is the telco’s second fast charging station, following the one it launched in the capital in February. Fast chargers are designed to recharge EV batteries at significantly faster rates compared to standard chargers. These chargers typically deliver power of more than 150 kW, allowing compatible vehicles to gain a full charge between 10-20 minutes.

• Ethio Telecom charges motorists 10 Ethiopian Birr ($0.079) per kWh. This is the cheapest rate on the continent, mainly driven by Ethiopia’s low electricity prices. In comparison, using a fast charger costs an average of $0.4 per kWh in South Africa and $0.45 in Kenya. 

• Ethiopia is a promising market for EV charging stations as demand rises. Besides Ethio Telecom, the Ethiopian government is also running other initiatives to grow the network of chargers across the country. It has, for instance, installed EV charging stations at various government offices, such as at the Ministry of Transport.

• Private companies are also installing chargers in their existing properties to serve EV customers. French oil marketing giant TotalEnergies has integrated charging facilities at locations like Merkato Amanuel service station in Addis Ababa. Real estate firms like DMC and Noah Real Estate provide chargers in parking lots, while car dealers like Hallel and Sara Car Importer offer charging stations for vehicles purchased from their stores. 

• The expansion of Ethiopia’s charging station network is key not only for private motorists but also for public transport. This is because the country is betting big on electric buses to serve the public’s transportation needs. Ethiopia last week launched 100 electric buses, even as it aims to electrify its fleet of over 1,170 public transport buses. 

• Despite this progress, the expansion of the charging station network in Ethiopia is slow. This is mainly due to the high cost of installing these chargers, especially for startups. Further, while Ethiopia has cheap electricity, many areas in the country still lack access. 

Our take

• The growing EV demand in Ethiopia could see both public and private sectors accelerate investments in charging stations, prioritising urban hubs like Addis Ababa. Ethio Telecom has already proven that there is strong demand for EV charging services. 

• Ethiopia’s existing charging stations are domiciled in the capital Addis Ababa, where most of its EVs operate. However, as the penetration of EVs grows, we could see efforts shift towards deploying charging stations in rural and underserved regions through partnerships with renewable energy projects, such as solar farms. 

• Ethiopia’s focus on electric buses for public transport could drive the need for dedicated high-capacity charging depots to support the growing fleet. This shift might position Ethiopia as a leader in sustainable public transport in Africa.