Ethiopia is not simply participating in Africa's electric vehicle (EV) transition but also helping define it. In January 2024, Ethiopia became the first country in the world to implement a policy banning the import of new petrol and diesel vehicles, marking one of the boldest national commitments to electric mobility.
The decision was driven as much by economic realities as by climate ambitions. For years, Ethiopia has spent billions of dollars importing fuel, placing immense pressure on the country's foreign currency reserves. Annual fuel imports have been estimated at more than $4.2 billion, while monthly fuel subsidies reached approximately $128 million. With more than 90 percent of Ethiopia's electricity generated from renewable hydropower, the government recognized that powering vehicles with domestically generated electricity made far greater economic sense than continuing to rely on imported fossil fuels. Since, electric vehicle adoption has accelerated rapidly, from approximately 7,000 EVs in 2023 to a projected 115,000 vehicles by the end of 2026. This growth positions Ethiopia as a continental leader in electric mobility and demonstrates what is possible when policy, energy resources and national priorities align. However, rapid technological transformation brings new challenges.
While the number of electric vehicles continues to grow, the workforce required to support it might not currently keep pace. Charging infrastructure remains limited outside Addis Ababa, power interruptions continue to present operational challenges, spare parts supply chains are still developing, and perhaps most significantly, there are not yet enough technicians equipped with the specialized knowledge needed to service, diagnose and repair electric vehicles. Insurance costs further increase the financial risks associated with EV ownership. Since batteries account for a significant proportion of an electric vehicle's value and specialized repair services remain limited, insurers often classify EVs as high-risk assets, contributing to higher ownership costs.
Together, these challenges highlight the important reality that Ethiopia's electric mobility revolution is creating an entirely new labor market that requires an equally ambitious investment in skills development.
Building skills for Ethiopia's green economy
Recognizing this emerging and timely need, SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia, through the Green Growth: Empowering Youth for a Green Future project, supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, is helping prepare young people for careers in one of the country's fastest-growing industries.
On 25 June 2026, the project successfully conducted a Curriculum Validation Workshop for the Electric Vehicle Service and Maintenance Short-Term Training Programme, bringing together key actors to ensure that the next generation of technicians will be equipped with the practical skills demanded by Ethiopia's evolving labor market. Developed under the leadership of the Ethiopian Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) in close collaboration with the project, the curriculum was reviewed by government representatives, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, industry experts, youth representatives, NGOs and other key stakeholders.
This collaborative validation process represents an important step towards building a skilled workforce capable of supporting Ethiopia's growing green economy while creating meaningful employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
Youth voices shaping the curriculum
An important strength of the validation workshop was the active participation of young people themselves. Bereket, who is currently enrolled in the project's TVET short-term Solar Panel Installation programme, welcomed the initiative as a timely investment in Ethiopia's future workforce.
While recognizing the great potential of the programme, he also provided thoughtful recommendations based on a learner's perspective. He noted that electric vehicle service and maintenance encompasses several specialized fields, including charging systems, diagnostics, tools and equipment, battery technologies and repair techniques, that each require substantial long term practical learning. Suggesting that extending the duration of the training from ‘short-term’ would allow participants to gain deeper technical knowledge and more hands-on experience. He further recommended piloting the curriculum with young people who already possess foundational technical skills to generate valuable lessons that can strengthen future programme delivery. His reflections reinforced one of the workshop's key objectives of ensuring that the curriculum is not only technically sound but also practical, relevant and responsive to the needs of both learners and employers.
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Investing in the workforce behind Ethiopia's EV transition
The Curriculum Validation Workshop represents far more than the completion of a technical document. It demonstrates how skills development can be intentionally aligned with national development priorities, ensuring that young people are equipped for the jobs emerging from Ethiopia's green economic transformation. As the country's electric vehicle transition continues to expand, demand for qualified technicians will only increase. By validating an industry-informed curriculum today, SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Labor and Skills and relevant partners are helping ensure that young people are active participants driving it forward.
The next phase of the project will involve submitting the curriculum for formal approval, followed by the training of instructors from selected TVET institutions before rolling out the programme to the first cohort of trainees. Following the completion of the first training cycle, the project, in collaboration with experts from MoLS and the participating TVET institutions, will assess the training outcomes to evaluate the curriculum's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Through this process of implementation, learning and continuous refinement, the project aims to ensure that the training remains responsive to industry needs while equipping young people with the skills required to support Ethiopia's growing electric vehicle sector.