Dodai Manufacturing Plc, a leader in Ethiopia’s electric mobility sector, has announced a landmark partnership with the Addis Ababa Transportation Bureau following the recent termination of its agreement with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH). The new collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable urban transport in the capital by introducing a pilot program featuring 40 electric motorcycles and a cutting-edge battery swapping network.

The pilot initiative, unveiled at an official ceremony at Dodai’s Haile Garment facility, marks a significant step toward modernizing the city’s transport system. The donated motorcycles, though provided without batteries, are fully compatible with Dodai’s advanced battery swapping infrastructure. This system allows riders to quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones at designated stations, reducing wait times and minimizing maintenance risks.

“This donation and pilot project demonstrate our commitment to modernizing urban transport, fostering sustainability, and empowering young people through e-mobility,” said Dodai CEO Yuma Sasaki during the launch event. The project is expected to serve as a model for future expansion, with public sales anticipated to begin in the next three to four months, pending successful completion of the pilot and approval from the Transportation Bureau.

Dodai’s renewed focus on Addis Ababa comes after the expiration of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EIH on March 22, 2025. The previous agreement aimed to establish a nationwide battery swapping network, but was dissolved as EIH shifted its strategy toward a broader venture capital fund for sustainable transport. Dodai Group, originally a Japanese firm, cited a move toward “alternative strategic opportunities” in international markets as its reason for ending the partnership.

Despite the end of the EIH deal, Dodai has reaffirmed its commitment to Ethiopia’s electric mobility future. The company’s innovative battery swapping model is designed to address common barriers to electric vehicle adoption, such as lengthy charging times and limited battery life, making electric motorcycles more practical for daily use in the city.

The Addis Ababa Transportation Bureau and other city institutions have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a step forward in the city’s efforts to reduce emissions, modernize public transport, and create new economic opportunities. The pilot program will also provide valuable data and feedback to inform the city’s broader e-mobility strategy.

The absence of national recognition for sign language in Ethiopia is having a profound impact on the country’s deaf and disabled communities, contributing to high dropout rates among students and limiting access to essential services, according to a new study released by the Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities in Ethiopia.

The study, conducted in September 2024, revealed that 27.3 percent of students with disabilities who gain university admission ultimately drop out before completing their studies. The findings, presented at an event organized by Ethio Helix Trading Plc, highlight a range of obstacles faced by people with disabilities, including inaccessible infrastructure, a lack of interpreters, inadequate educational materials, and an education system that fails to accommodate their needs.

Abayneh Gujo, Executive Director of the Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD), emphasized the gravity of the situation. “The lack of recognition of sign language as a national working language is a major barrier for the deaf community and people with disabilities,” he stated. “It affects daily communication in schools and public services, and it is not given the attention it deserves as a valid language.”

Ethiopia is home to more than 20 million people with disabilities, including over 3.5 million deaf citizens. Despite the widespread use of Amharic and English sign languages within the deaf community, the absence of official status for sign language means it is rarely used in classrooms or government offices, further marginalizing those who rely on it for communication.

The event also served as the launch for new hearing aids and audiometric devices introduced by Ethio Helix Ear Hearing Center. The company showcased advanced technologies sourced from countries such as Turkey, highlighting their quality and comfort. However, Ethio Helix acknowledged that while such devices are now available in Ethiopia, they remain out of reach for the vast majority of people in need due to financial barriers.

“Globally, only about 17 percent of people who need hearing support actually receive it,” Abayneh explained. “In Ethiopia, more than 95 percent of people with disabilities live below the poverty line, so only a small fraction can afford hearing aids or related technology.”

The lack of institutions providing accessible technology for people with disabilities further exacerbates the problem. “These technologies are not considered by private or public entities as a fundamental need,” Abayneh added, noting that many people with disabilities are excluded from participation in education, employment, and public life due to the lack of necessary equipment.

Earlier this year, with support from Ethio Telecom, the federation distributed 520 hearing aids to primary and secondary school students. However, ongoing research indicates that more than 2,000 additional devices are needed to meet current demand. Of the devices distributed, 113 are already out of service due to breakdowns, with high maintenance costs cited as the main reason for their limited lifespan.

The challenges faced by Ethiopia’s disabled population are not limited to hearing loss. The lack of accessible infrastructure, insufficient educational resources, and the absence of interpreters in schools and public institutions all contribute to the exclusion of people with disabilities from mainstream society. The study found that the education system’s failure to accommodate diverse needs is a key factor behind the high dropout rate among students with disabilities.

Abayneh called on the government and all stakeholders to collaborate in addressing these pressing issues. “We urge the government to recognize sign language as a national working language and to invest in accessible infrastructure, educational materials, and technologies that can improve the lives of people with disabilities,” he said. “The federation is committed to doing its part, but a united effort is needed to ensure a more inclusive and accessible future for all Ethiopians.”

The event concluded with a renewed call for action to break down barriers and create equal opportunities for Ethiopia’s disabled community. As the country strives for greater inclusion, advocates stress that official recognition of sign language and improved access to assistive technologies are essential steps toward empowering millions of Ethiopians with disabilities.

As Africa’s aviation sector shows robust passenger demand growth of 9% year-to-date in 2025—outpacing the global average of 6%—the issue of blocked airline funds remains a significant challenge, particularly in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that as of April 2025, approximately $1.3 billion in airline revenues remain blocked globally, with Africa and the Middle East accounting for 85% of this total, roughly $1.1 billion. Nigeria has made substantial progress, reducing its blocked funds from $850 million in mid-2023 to just $19 million by April 2024, following government and Central Bank interventions. However, airlines in Nigeria have faced operational disruptions and financial strain due to earlier currency shortages and repatriation restrictions.

Egypt has also cleared its backlog of blocked funds, yet airlines there continue to face challenges linked to the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound, which affects the real value of repatriated revenues. Ethiopia remains among the countries with significant blocked funds, holding about $44 million as part of the broader financial bottlenecks in the region.

These blocked funds primarily result from currency liquidity shortages, regulatory hurdles, and foreign exchange controls that prevent airlines from converting local earnings into hard currency and repatriating them. This situation threatens airline cash flow and route viability, despite Africa’s expanding passenger market and the critical role of aviation in economic development and connectivity.

IATA continues to urge governments to remove barriers to revenue repatriation in line with international agreements, emphasizing that reliable access to funds is essential for airlines operating on thin margins and for sustaining vital air connectivity that supports jobs and GDP growth across the continent.

While passenger demand in Africa is strong, the aviation industry faces ongoing financial challenges due to blocked funds in key markets like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt, necessitating continued government action to ensure sustainable growth and connectivity.