Addis Ababa, December 9, 2021 – A policy dialogue meeting was convened on e-mobility initiatives at the auditorium of Sheraton Addis. Some 22 participants drawn from key ministries, the private sector and partner organizations attended the meeting, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics (MoTL) and the GGGI Ethiopia Office.

The overarching objective of the policy dialogue was to create a gateway for improved networking, experience sharing among key stakeholders, discussing on key issues of policies, standards and specifications, as well as to  identify new opportunities and challenges in a bid to solicit inputs for the adoption of electric mobility tailored to the Ethiopian context.

During the opening session, Mr. Fitsumbirhan Tsegaye, an Advisor to Minister of MoTL, briefed the participants on major activities undertaken to make a transition to the e-mobility as part of government’s endeavors toward creating a Climate Resilient Transport and Infrastructure Services in the country.

He said that awareness raising events have been conducted  on the e-mobility initiative for key government sectors and support functions including the customs authority and investment offices to consider possible incentives for the private sectors that are engaged in green investment and job creations through the import of electric vehicles.

He indicated that tax structure covering incentive program for electric mobility has been crafted and referred to pertinent officials at the Ministry for decision. The types of the proposed incentives include are  financial, non-financial, and action for charging infrastructure.

Mr. Fitsumbirhan further noted that a paramount importance has been attached to the charging infrastructure that could accommodate the influx of e-mobility vehicles to be imported shortly. He said effort is also being exerted to explore the land use potential in a bid to ensure a sustainable e-mobility in major cities of the country including Addis Ababa.

Dr. Gemedo Dalle, GGGI Ethiopia Representative pointed out that Ethiopia has been leading by example in putting in place climate smart policies and strategies but implementation of these policies and strategies needs significant improvement.

He lauded the on-going efforts being exerted by the MoTL to shade light on the issue of e-mobility and take the leading role in establishing a multi-sectoral policy dialogue as an entry point to transition  to green and sustainable transport.

He noted that the Ministry has adopted a clearly defined objectives and targets that will significantly reduce Green House Gas Emissions in its 10 years perspective plan and encouraged all stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of this comprehensive plan.

Dr. Gemedo expressed that GGGI can explore and tap the immense potentials of its experts and provide policy and technical support to the state and non-state actors that are engaged in green investment, including non-motorized sustainable transport.

He further noted that GGGI can support in developing and submitting bankable projects aimed at accessing financial resources from funding organizations including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). He added that GGGI will continue supporting the private sector to be accredited  for accessing fund from GCF.

Subsequently, Ms. Militetsega H. Gebreselassie, Senior Program Officer at GGGI Ethiopia, presented an overview of the GGGI-supported e-mobility program, its implementation strategy, as well as core activities undertaken including commissioning of pre-feasibility study on e-buses (BRT-B2) in Addis Ababa and follow-on stakeholders’ consultative meeting.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Fitumbiran underlined that  the brainstorming  ideas , views  and thoughts reflected by the participants will serve as potential inputs for the adoption of e-mobility policy, and  unveiled plans that  such a consultative platform will be continued  monthly  in much a broader basis.

As part of the way forward, participants of the meeting reached consensus and adopted action points, which included among others, to expand the base of the  existing consultative  platform  through forging strong collaboration and networking with the state and non-state actors, enhance awareness on e-mobility initiatives to garner supports and engaging partners including pertinent government officials at the ministerial level, explore possibilities for the expansion of infrastructure meant for non-motorized transport services, and tap a wider window of opportunities to leverage and solicit funds for enhancing the engagement of the private sector in the e-mobility initiative.