Russian automaker UAZ (Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant) is officially in negotiations with the Ethiopian government to launch a local vehicle assembly plant. This move, part of the company’s 2026 global expansion strategy, aims to transition from simple imports to a robust local production line.
According to the social media post from the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa, the proposed facility will produce both standard passenger SUVs and special-purpose vehicles tailored for the Ethiopian terrain. This initiative, according to the post, follows a series of diplomatic efforts to deepen economic ties.
In late 2025, Russian Ambassador Evgeny Terekhin confirmed that UAZ, alongside AvtoVAZ, was conducting in-depth feasibility studies to navigate local regulations, including Ethiopia’s recent shift toward green energy and natural gas-powered vehicles.
Reports indicate that the groundwork for this partnership was laid as early as 2021, when UAZ signed an initial accord with the Ethiopian firm Bazra Motors to establish assembly facilities in Kombolcha. While previous timelines were adjusted, the 2026 expansion plan marks a renewed commitment.
From The Reporter Magazine
“The large Ethiopian market of 130 million people is of strategic interest,” said the Ambassador, noting that the project aims to help Russian vehicles “take their rightful place on Ethiopia’s roads” while supporting the nation’s industrialization drive.
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