While in the past less affluent countries have been the dumping ground for second-hand cars from other nations, Ethiopia is now the first country in the world to ban the import of all cars that are not electrically powered.  In contrast to the European Union, which has a ban on the sale of cars with internal combustion engines from 2035, Ethiopia is about ten years ahead of schedule: “A decision has been made that automobiles cannot enter Ethiopia unless they are electric ones” (Minister Alemu Sime).

Having spent around $6 billion last year importing fossil fuels, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics has just decided to allow only electric vehicles to enter the country.  One of the reasons for this drastic decision, according to Minister Alemu Sime, is the country’s lack of access to cheap foreign currency.  This makes it difficult to import petrol and diesel due to economic pressures: “One of the reasons behind this decision is Ethiopia’s inability to afford importing gasoline due to limited foreign exchange resources” (Minister Alemu Sime).