In Ethiopia, the share of electric vehicles on the road has jumped to 6% from just 1% after a 2024 ban on imports of new gasoline-powered cars. Across the continent, EV adoption is now among the fastest-growing globally, with Chinese automakers like BYD capturing the lion's share of the market.
On a recent episode of Bloomberg's Next Africa podcast, host Jennifer Zabasajja explored this surge with Fasika Tadesse, who reported from Addis Ababa, and Asia transport reporter Linda Lew. Tadesse described how the ban has reshaped the streets of Ethiopia's capital, where electric taxis and buses are becoming increasingly common. Lew explained that Chinese car makers, facing saturated markets and trade barriers in the West, are targeting Africa as a high-growth frontier.
The shift is not just about EVs: Chinese brands are also dominating the broader new-car market in many African countries, offering affordable models tailored to local road conditions and consumer preferences. As African governments tighten emissions standards and offer incentives for electric mobility, Chinese manufacturers are well-positioned to supply both vehicles and charging infrastructure.
"Africa is the next battleground for Chinese automakers," said Lew. "They see a market with rapidly urbanizing populations and a need for transportation that traditional Western brands have overlooked."
The trend underscores a broader realignment in the global auto industry, as Chinese companies pivot from domestic competition to international expansion, with Africa at the center of their growth strategy.