The Ministry of Transport and Logistics (MoTL), in collaboration with the GGGI Ethiopia Office, organized a policy dialogue concerning e-mobility initiatives. The discussion consisted of government ministries, the private sector, and partner organizations.
The objective of the policy dialogue was to create a gateway for improved networking, experience sharing among key stakeholders. Discuss key issues of policies, standards, and specifications, as well as 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 the Minister of MoTL, briefed the participants on significant activities undertaken to transition to e-mobility as part of the government’s government endeavors toward creating Climate Resilient Transport and Infrastructure Services in the country.
He said that awareness-raising events had 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 engaged in green investment and job creation import of electric vehicles.
He indicated that the tax structure covering the incentive program for electric mobility has been crafted and referred to pertinent officials at the Ministry for decision. The types of the proposed incentives are financial, non-financial, and action for charging infrastructure.
Mr. Fitsumbirhan further noted that paramount importance had been attached to the charging infrastructure that could accommodate the influx of e-mobility vehicles to be imported shortly. He said the effort is also being exerted to explore the land use potential to ensure a sustainable e-mobility in significant cities of the country, including Addis Ababa.
Dr. Gemedo Dalle, GGGI Ethiopia Representative, pointed out that Ethiopia has been leading by example with climate-smart policies and strategies. Still, the implementation of these policies and procedures needs significant improvement.
He lauded the ongoing efforts being exerted by the MoTL to shed 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 had adopted clearly defined objectives and targets that will significantly reduce Green House Gas Emissions in its ten-year perspective plan and encouraged all stakeholders to contribute to implementing 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 engaged in green investment, including non-motorized sustainable transport.
He further noted that GGGI could support developing and submitting bankable projects to access financial resources from funding organizations, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). He added that GGGI would continue supporting the private sector to be accredited for accessing funds 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 were undertaken, including commissioning of a 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 participants’ brainstorming ideas, views, and thoughts would serve as potential inputs for adopting the 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 a consensus. They adopted action points, which included, among others, expanding the base of the existing consultative platform through forging strong collaboration and networking with the state and non-state actors, enhancing 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.
