CLIENT Dodai Group Inc.
GEOGRAPHY OF WORK Ethiopia (remote)
SECTOR E-vehicles / electric motorbikes
PROJECT NAME
PROJECT DATESSince May 2023


INTRODUCTION

In Ethiopia, like in the rest of Africa e-mobility is in its infancy. While governments have introduced incentives such as duty free privileges for the import of electric vehicles, there is still a lack of technical knowledge about electric vehicles amongst the public as well as regulatory bodies, and respectively rules and regulations governing import, registration and licensing of electric vehicles are underdeveloped and prone to amendments and changes.

Dodai Manufacturing Plc, incorporated in Ethiopia since 2023, wants to resolve the issue of lack of access to efficient and affordable mobility for gig workers in Ethiopia, by assembling electric two wheelers in Addis Ababa.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Dodai plc had no experience with the import process of both, the motorbikes and factory machinery into Ethiopia. They had to make a decision whether to import motorbikes completely disassembled (CKD) or only partially disassembled (SKD), taking into consideration all aspects from manufacturing and shipping timelines, exemption and customs clearance processes as well as tax implications, to the technical skills of the workforce at the assembly line.


SOLUTION

Melela Partners’ Logistics practice lead worked with Dodai with hiring and training an internal logistics team, developing SOPs and workflow charts for the import of raw material and machinery.
She also helped identifying the best logistics service providers, supervising active movements and analyzed and evaluated the import process for shipments from different manufacturers, at different assembly state and handled by different freight forwarders, to identify the best import method for the company.

KEY LEARNINGS

Sudden and unforeseen changes of the regulatory environment hampered several of the early imports, with new requirements for imports being introduced overnight while imports were just about to reach Ethiopia.

Agility and solution-oriented thinking based on the experience with the country context were paramount to avoid delays and their financial implications, while ensuring the client’s compliance with the laws and regulations of Ethiopia.