Russia’s ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin has said that Russian automakers KAMAZ and GAZ are preparing to launch vehicle assembly operations in Ethiopia. Under current rules, the Ethiopian government allows the import of only electric and gas-powered vehicles, making gas-fueled vehicle assembly the most promising option - an area where KAMAZ and GAZ hold strong positions. He said Russian companies are working to ensure their assembly lines become among the first to operate in this emerging segment. Later, Ethiopia’s ambassador Genet Teshome Jirru said AvtoVAZ would begin producing electric cars in Ethiopia by the end of 2025 - a claim the company later denied. KAMAZ and AvtoVAZ revisited plans to build assembly lines in Ethiopia in 2023, though those initiatives were not realized at the time.

Source: Ethiopian News February 10, 2026 14:19 UTC