On April 1, 2025, China's Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co., Ltd. (Golden Dragon ) and Ethiopia's Belayneh Kindie Group (BKG) jointly held a delivery ceremony for 100 electric buses in Addis Ababa, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation on green transportation. This initiative not only represents the first large-scale electric bus operation project in East Africa but also serves as a critical step in Addis Ababa's implementation of its "ban on fuel vehicles, promote electric vehicles" policy.

A Decade of Commitment: From Technology Transfer to Localized Manufacturing

100 Golden Dragon electric buses delivered to Ethiopia

Since initiating collaboration in 2014, Golden Dragon and BKG have adhered to the principle of "high standards, high configurations, and high quality" to upgrade Ethiopia's transportation. The first batch of 30 front-engine buses energized passenger transport, followed by 180 12-meter long-distance coaches that earned market recognition for their reliability and comfort. By 2025, Golden Dragon new energy buses in Ethiopia have reached 900 units, securing its leading position in the market.

In 2019, responding to the Ethiopian government's "technology transfer" initiative, Golden Dragon launched a localized manufacturing plan. Despite global pandemic challenges, the two parties completed a 7-hectare modern factory in 2023 and achieved mass production of electric KD (knock-down) kits in 2024. As East Africa's first new energy KD project, the factory has created 200 technical jobs and aims to train more local engineers and technicians within three years, driving industrial chain upgrades.

Green Wheels Driving Sustainable Development

Adanech Abebe, Mayor of Addis Ababa, highlighted the city's prioritization of transportation development during the handover ceremony.

"These electric buses will not only ease citizens' travel pressures but also embody our concrete actions toward green development," she stated. Notably, 150 electric light buses deployed by Golden Dragon six months ago have reduced carbon emissions by 12,000 tons, equivalent to planting 60,000 mature trees. This achievement underscores the reliability of Golden Dragon electric systems, which have withstood Addis Ababa's complex road conditions and climate challenges.

The Ethiopian government has integrated charging infrastructure into Addis Ababa's smart city planning. Alemu Sime, Minister of Transport and Logistics, emphasized that developing new energy transportation is key to resolving energy dependency. Currently, fossil fuels account for 78% of the country's transportation energy consumption, with the government targeting a reduction to below 50% by 2030. To this end, Ethiopia has introduced policies including tax exemptions and charging infrastructure subsidies to encourage more local enterprises like BKG to participate in green transportation construction.

Service Support and Future Vision

Huang Ji (second from the right), Vice President of Golden Dragon International Trading Co., attended the inauguration ceremony of the new electric bus fleet.

BKG has established a professional team authorized to service components from CATL, DANA motors, and King Long New Energy. A joint technical training school will continue cultivating local talent in the new energy sector. Huang Ji, Vice President of Golden Dragon International Trading Co., introduced vehicle performance and configurations to government officials during a test ride. He expressed the company's commitment to deepening cooperation with BKG, expanding KD projects, and aligning the "Golden Dragon Solution" with Ethiopian needs, thereby aiding "Made in Africa" green transportation in accessing broader markets.

Urban Renewal: Green Infrastructure Empowering Africa

Government officials take a test ride on a public bus.

Addis Ababa is optimizing its transport network through the "Urban Corridor Development Plan," constructing new bike lanes, slow-traffic systems, and modern bus stations while integrating green spaces and public areas to enhance residents' quality of life. Analysts believe that combining green transportation with Africa's youth demographic dividend (over 400 million people aged 15-35) will accelerate the continent's energy transition and sustainable development goals.

The Golden Dragon -Ethiopia collaboration exemplifies China-Africa capacity cooperation, demonstrating China's commitment to supporting Africa's green industrialization through practical actions. As more projects take root, Africa's vibrant potential will continue to flourish at the intersection of youth and innovation.

Source : www.chinabuses.org

Editor : David

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