The Ministry of Industry has announced that Ethiopia has begun efforts to manufacture electric vehicles within the country.
Dugasa Dunfa, advisor for growth and competitiveness at the Ministry of Industry, received and held discussions with officials from China's Shanghai Launch Automotive Company at his office.
The advisor explained that Ethiopia's primary objective is to build a climate-friendly manufacturing industry. He added that the country is working diligently to manufacture electric vehicles domestically to supply local consumers and for export.
Dugasa mentioned that a few electric car manufacturing companies are already operational in Ethiopia. He also pointed out that due to the government's strong emphasis on the sector, more than four foreign companies are in the process of preparing to engage in this industry.
He highlighted that Ethiopia possesses mineral resources for battery production, suggesting that it would be profitable for BYD (Build Your Dreams), an electric vehicle manufacturing company, to commence operations in Ethiopia.
Wu Shaohua, general manager of Shanghai Launch Automotive Technology Company, stated that his company intends to strengthen its collaboration with Ethiopia by establishing a research and development center, including design services for vehicles in the renewable energy sector.
A manager from a knock-down (KD) electric vehicle parts manufacturing company stated that their company is willing to collaborate to enable Ethiopian companies to have the capacity to manufacture electric vehicles domestically at a low cost.
The information obtained from the Ministry of Industry indicates that they also expressed their desire to work towards having Ethiopia's own electric car brand and mentioned that they are holding discussions with local companies operating in the sector.