Ethiopia Pursues Integrated Zero-Emission Mobility Strategy Across Urban Transport

Ethiopia has made a deliberate policy choice to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles and develop an integrated zero-emission mobility system combining electrification, mass transit expansion and non-motorised transport infrastructure. The country is positioning itself as a leader in clean urban mobility among Global South nations facing economic pressure and urban air quality challenges.

Facing foreign exchange constraints, rising fuel import costs and deteriorating urban air quality, Ethiopia has adopted a comprehensive e-mobility strategy that targets the elimination of internal combustion engine vehicles across its cities. The policy combines electric vehicle adoption, expansion of mass transit systems including light rail and bus rapid transit, and the development of infrastructure for walking and cycling. This integrated approach distinguishes Ethiopia's strategy from the single-mode interventions common in other developing countries.

Ethiopia's approach carries lessons for other economies in the Global South, particularly in Africa, which face similar challenges of rapid urbanisation, limited fiscal space and dependency on imported fossil fuels. By aligning electric mobility with mass transit rather than private vehicle electrification, the Ethiopian model prioritises equitable access alongside emissions reduction. The country's model also leverages its growing renewable hydropower capacity to provide low-carbon electricity for the transport sector.

Implementation challenges remain significant, including the need for domestic charging infrastructure, technical capacity for vehicle maintenance, and financing for large-scale transit system expansion. International climate finance and development bank support will be critical to sustaining the investment programme. If successful, Ethiopia's integrated zero-emission mobility strategy could serve as a replicable model for other African cities developing long-term urban transport plans in a climate-constrained context.

Key figure — Zero internal combustion engine target — Ethiopia's national e-mobility policy goal