Addis Ababa, October 8, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is set to overhaul its vehicle registration system with a modernized number plate design and updated identification protocol, aiming to strengthen national security and streamline vehicle management.
The Ministry of Transport and Logistics recently unveiled Draft Directive No. 1050/2025, which outlines specifications for the new vehicle identification plates and associated service standards. Transport and Logistics Minister Alemu Sime noted that the current system, in use for more than two decades, no longer meets contemporary security and administrative needs. The new directive is scheduled for implementation within the current Ethiopian fiscal year.
Under the plan, redesigned plates will feature a simplified color scheme of three distinct hues and incorporate advanced security elements such as holograms, watermarks, micro-text, RFID chips, and QR codes. These enhancements are intended to prevent fraud and enable secure digital record-keeping and tracking by authorized entities. The plates will also display the internationally recognized code “ETH,” bringing Ethiopia in line with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The initiative will replace the existing system, which currently consists of around 16 different plate types with varying colors and numbering formats across regional states, creating complexity and confusion. With more than 1.6 million vehicles registered under the outdated system, the modernization effort is expected to unify vehicle identification standards, promote a shared national identity, and improve oversight within the transport sector.
State Minister Gebru Hassen highlighted that the current system has resulted in significant resource wastage over the past 23 years. The new directive seeks to conserve public funds through efficient use of high-quality materials and by establishing a proper mechanism to track and dispose of returned plates, addressing gaps in the current legal framework.
Through these reforms, Ethiopia aims to enhance the security, efficiency, and international alignment of its vehicle registration system.