banning the import of all gas-powered passenger vehicles

They definitely put their money where their mouth is, unlike a lot of other places around the world that are all bark but no bite where phasing out combustion engines is concerned.

From the article...

It also effectively slashed the customs tax on imported cars: The tax on gas vehicles was up to 200% before they were banned, while the import tax for fully assembled EVs is just 15%, according to the country’s finance ministry.

Wow, they weren't playing around... 200% tax on gas vehicles? In addition to fuel shortages mentioned in the article too

The lower rates are also spurring more local EV manufacturing. Hundreds of the vehicles were assembled by Ethiopia-based Belayneh Kindie Group using parts imported from China

Ethiopia is leaning hard into EVs in part because importing fuel is expensive, and 96% of the country’s electricity comes from clean hydropower – a dual win for the country’s finances and the environment.

Seems pretty sustainable, and glad to hear that they're able to do some of the manufacturing locally, somewhat ensuring there's local knowledge on building and maintaining these computers on wheels.

Hope the transition goes smoothly for them, looks like they know what they're doing 👌