Available, But Non-Drivable

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – As the Ethiopian economy sprints forwards at a fast rate – with annual growth of 10.5pc over the past decade, according to World Bank records – the demand for automobiles is witnessing a rapid rise. This has opened the window for the flourishing business of importing and retailing cars. Official data shows that inporting cars is becoming an important sector within the economy, with the annual import value exceeding the 400 million dollar. Just last year, a total of 30,128 cars were imported into the nation, showing an increment of more than 7,000 cars compared to the previous year.

Operating this expanding sector are the 412 importers, categorised in line with their annual import capacity. Expanding along with the rising car imports is also the total stock of cars in the nation. In June 2014, for instance, the total stock of registered cars in the nation was 519,816. It is not only the import and stock of cars in the nation that is witnessing a boom, however. The challenges faced in regulating the sector are also growing in every direction possible.

One of the latest challenges that is dampening the hopes of many of the car importers, retailers and dealers is the one that relates to temporary plates. A change in the approach of temporary plate provision, implemented by the authorities in a bid to regulate misconducts, has poured cold water over the business of selling cars. But perspectives about the challenges ahead differ greatly, even between importers.

Read more at: Addis Tribune