Addis Ababa’s rapid urban growth and persistent congestion, pollution, and accessibility challenges underscore the need for integrated, climate-resilient mobility. The Sustainable Urban Transport Project for Ethiopia by proposing innovative solutions for electric Bus Rapid Transit (e-BRT) project supports the city’s transition to zero-emission transport by demonstrating viable electric BRT (eBRT) solutions on B3 and B4 BRT lines (corridors in Addis Ababa) and strengthening institutional readiness.

The initiative delivers strengthened government capacity, safer and more inclusive mobility for over 400,000 residents, improved air quality, and alignment with Ethiopia’s SDG and NDC commitments. Despite institutional, technical, and operational challenges, the project generated critical lessons on system-wide eBRT planning, blended finance, and cost-effective infrastructure while confirming strong e-bus performance under local conditions. The next phase will scale priority corridors into a citywide network through phased institutional reform, integrated systems, and strategic partnerships, leveraging readiness support to mobilize approximately USD 200 million in sustainable urban transport investment.

The project aims to demonstrate the applicability of a new generation of electric Bus Rapid Transit (eBRT) systems in Addis Ababa through economically viable, connected solutions enhanced with automation and connectivity functionalities. Its core objective is to drastically reduce emissions, pollutants, and road congestion while enabling the country’s transition to zero-emission sustainable transport and strengthening institutional and technical readiness for citywide e-bus network. This is delivered through three key components: a public transport integration plan with phased at-grade hubs, technical documentation confirming e-bus viability on B3 and B4 lines, and a bankable investment proposal featuring a USD 6.5 million readiness grant, directly addressing urgent urban mobility and mass-transit needs.

Addis Ababa, home to about 25% of Ethiopia’s urban population, is undergoing rapid economic, population, and urbanization growth that demands integrated, climate-resilient transport planning. Facing challenges of poor accessibility, congestion, pollution, and high fuel costs, the Addis Ababa City Administration’s master plan and City Transport Strategy propose a 15-corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This project aims to deliver a safe, convenient, timely, and integrated mass transit network serving on two dedicated corridors (B3 and B4), and serve more than 400,000 residents with peak capacities exceeding 5,000 passengers per hour per direction, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving connectivity, air quality, and smooth traffic flow, and supporting the country’s long-term climate-resilient and sustainable urban ambitions.

The eBRT project achieves its intended impact by unlocking opportunities for financing and scaling up green mobility, thereby accelerating the development and volume of low-carbon emission transport systems in Addis Ababa. This directly contributes to reduced transport sector GHG emissions and improved provision of transport services. At the same time, the project’s core outcome is the successful preparation and establishment of the enabling conditions necessary for facilitating the adoption of the e-BRT system across Ethiopia.

The project comprised three primary outputs:

• Output 1: A public transport integration plan designed at-grade, people-focused hubs at Megenagna, Legehar, and Kera in Addis Ababa with phased implementation roadmap for citywide scaling.
• Output 2: Technical documentation for e-bus introduction on B3 and B4 BRT Lines Confirmed e-bus viability for high-altitude and steep gradients; projected 800,000 tCO₂e carbon emission savings.
• Output 3: Investment proposal Proposed a USD 6.5 million readiness grant; estimated a USD 50.44 million CAPEX and bankable PPP models.