Dodai brings electric motorcycles to Ethiopia

Addressing Africa's urban transport needs is becoming increasingly challenging, especially when considering climate change concerns and the need to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

The sector has been undergoing an extraordinary transformation, fueled by a wave of innovative startups dedicated to revolutionizing Africa's mobility ecosystem.

With African cities being some of the most congested in the world, reducing carbon emissions is paramount.

In recent years, e-mobility startups have taken center stage on the African continent, revolutionizing transportation and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

In Ethiopia, Dodai – which means foundation in Japanese – designs, assembles and sells electric motorcycles, three-wheelers and bicycles and aspires to build a strong e-mobility company across the country and the continent.

"With over 120 million people, abundant renewable energy resources, and a growing urban population, the opportunity to introduce sustainable transportation was clear," said Yuma Sasaki, founder and CEO of Dodai, in an interview with Connecting Africa.

Sasaki said having worked in both the renewable energy sector and the e-mobility industry in Japan, he saw how impactful these technologies can be.

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Furthermore, he added that the company's core mission is to make e-mobility accessible to everyone in Africa, starting with Ethiopia, by providing affordable, sustainable, and reliable transportation solutions that can drive economic growth and improve lives.

Dodai's electric motorcycles

Established in 2021, the company's electric motorcycles are powered by advanced lithium batteries, making it Ethiopia's only provider of lithium battery-powered motorbikes.

"This gives our bikes an advantage in terms of performance and lifespan. Our bikes have eight times the lifespan compared to any other electric motorbikes available in the market. The longer lifespan means lower maintenance costs and more value for the consumer over time," he continued.

Sasaki said that in partnership with the Ethiopian government, the company will launch battery-swapping stations and plans to open 300 stations in the next three years.

Dodai designs, assembles and sells electric motorcycles, three-wheelers and bicycles. (Source: Dodai)

"The battery swapping stations will allow riders to quickly swap out depleted batteries for fully charged ones, minimizing downtime and making electric mobility even more convenient for users. This model is expected to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the country by making charging infrastructure more accessible and practical," he continued.

Ethiopia embraces Dodai

Sasaki said that since 2021, the company has been well-received in the East African country.

"Due to the rising demand, we have already established manufacturing processes capable of producing 200 units per month and we will soon be able to produce 1,500 units per month," he explained.

Another key feature that has added to the company's positive reception is the cost-effectiveness of Dodai's electric vehicles (EVs).

"We are currently selling the bikes for only 150,000 Ethiopian birr (US$1,170) and have partnered with VisionFund, Ethiopia's microfinance institution, to offer affordable credit options to consumers that start at just 8,000 birr (US$62.50) per month," Sasaki said.

He added that because of these initiatives, the company has seen an increased demand from the market in Addis Ababa.

"There are already more than 100,000 EVs on the road in Ethiopia, and the government expects that this number will more than quadruple by 2032, so there is an opportunity for early-movers such as Dodai," he concluded.