Use of electric vehicles in Africa is surging, led by Ethiopia, as soaring prices and fuel shortages compel countries to opt for cleaner and cheaper transport. More than 115,000 EVs are now on Ethiopia’s roads, accounting for about 8% of the national fleet. In 2025, it imported a third of Africa’s imports from China, ahead of other major markets in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria. The country has enough renewable power capacity to support the transition away from fuel-burning engines, but gaps in charging infrastructure, affordability and grid reliability pose challenges. Officials say expanding EV adoption could reduce oil dependence and shield the country from global supply shocks.
