Dodai

Dodai Manufacturing PLC is an electric vehicle company operating in Ethiopia, focused on accelerating the transition to sustainable urban transport. Founded in 2023 by Japanese entrepreneur and former Uber executive Yuma Sasaki, Dodai—which means "foundation" in Japanese—assembles and sells electric motorcycles in Addis Ababa. Sasaki, a University of Tokyo graduate with experience at Uber Japan and an off-grid solar startup in Ghana, identified Ethiopia's potential for e-mobility after exploring various sectors. His mission is to solve large-scale transportation challenges, create jobs, and reduce reliance on fuel imports.

The company's primary business involves the local assembly of imported electric motorcycle components and direct sales to consumers and businesses. Its target clients include individual commuters and gig economy workers, such as delivery drivers, who can realize significant savings on fuel and maintenance costs. To make its vehicles more accessible, Dodai has partnered with microfinance institution VisionFund to offer monthly payment plans. The business model is strategically aligned with the Ethiopian government's green initiatives, which include a ban on the import of non-electric vehicles and tax exemptions for EV parts.

Dodai’s electric motorbikes are distinguished by their use of high-range lithium-ion batteries, which the company states last up to eight years, a significant improvement over the lead-acid batteries used by many competitors. These motorcycles can travel up to 150 km on a single charge. A key component of Dodai's long-term strategy is the development of a battery-swapping network. This system will allow riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones at swapping stations, addressing both charging infrastructure gaps and upfront affordability, as the battery can be unbundled from the initial purchase price. The company has partnered with Ethiopian Investment Holdings to establish 100 swap stations in Addis Ababa by the end of 2025. In March 2024, Dodai secured $4 million in a Series A funding round led by Japanese investors including Nissay Capital and Musashi Seimitsu, bringing its total capital raised to over $6 million.

Keywords: electric motorcycles, e-mobility Africa, Addis Ababa transport, Yuma Sasaki, vehicle assembly Ethiopia, lithium-ion battery, battery swapping network, gig economy transportation, vehicle financing, VisionFund partnership, Musashi Seimitsu, Nissay Capital, Inclusion Japan, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, sustainable transportation, urban mobility solutions, last-mile delivery, EV manufacturing, green transport Ethiopia, ride-sharing vehicles