Ethiopia’s electric vehicle startup Dodai has secured US$13 million in Series A funding to scale electric motorbikes and battery swapping infrastructure in Addis Ababa. The investment is expected to improve access to affordable transport, support job creation and strengthen the country’s shift toward clean mobility.
The round includes $8 million in equity and $5 million in debt, with backing from Value Chain Innovation Fund, UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd., Nagase & Co., Ltd., Persistent ACV Fund, For Seasons, CBC Co., Ltd., Inclusion Japan and British International Investment (BII).
Dodai is focusing on a market that has often been overlooked. While many startups target larger ecosystems such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, the company chose to build in Addis Ababa, where demand for affordable transport continues to grow alongside e-commerce and urban employment needs. Ethiopia’s policy decision to ban the import of fuel-powered vehicles has also created a strong push toward electric mobility.
Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment, said the country presents a major opportunity for clean transport solutions. “Ethiopia is emerging as one of Africa’s most compelling frontier markets for the clean mobility transition, where the right capital can unlock outsized impact and long-term value,” he said. He added that the investment will help scale infrastructure and “expand access to affordable transport,” while also creating jobs and strengthening the urban economy.
Scaling Access to Affordable Mobility
Since launching, Dodai has assembled and deployed more than 2,000 electric motorbikes and built a team of about 100 employees, with 97 percent being Ethiopian. The company says this growth has already enabled more than 2,000 riders to earn a living.
Hilina Legesse, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate at Dodai, said the funding reflects confidence in the company’s ability to solve real challenges. “In just two years, we have deployed over 2,000 electric motorcycles, enabling more than 2,000 riders to earn a living,” she said. She noted that the company has built its operations from the ground up, turning constraints into opportunities through local partnerships.
With the new funding, Dodai plans to reach 3,000 battery swapping users and establish 30 battery swapping stations across Addis Ababa within the next 12 months.
Building a Long-Term E-Mobility Ecosystem
Looking ahead, Dodai aims to scale to 30,000 users and 1,000 battery swapping stations in Addis Ababa within three years. The company also plans to expand into other fast-growing African cities including Abidjan, Kinshasa and Accra.
Founded in 2023 by Yuma Sasaki, Dodai focuses on assembling and distributing electric motorbikes tailored to local market conditions. The company is building what it describes as a full electric mobility ecosystem, combining vehicles with battery swapping infrastructure to offer a practical and scalable solution.
Legesse said the next phase will focus on expanding this impact. “We will now accelerate and scale this impact even further,” she said.
Dodai, which means “foundation” in Japanese, is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s clean transport future. By combining local production, job creation and affordable mobility solutions, the company is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable urban transport system across the continent.
