Transport authorities have introduced unique license plates to vehicles owned by individuals with disabilities following allegations of misuse of duty-free import privileges.

Dagmawit Moges, minister of Transport & Logistics, issued a directive two months ago compelling beneficiaries to replace their plates with updated tags by next month. The new plates will emboss the universal wheelchair symbol and a designated code. Authorities hope to see the change address the “rampant” misuse of the privileges by transferring the imported vehicles to third parties.

The directive granting persons with disabilities duty-free privileges to import vehicles for personal use was legislated in 2015 in hopes that it would ease the burden. An estimated 20pc of the population live with a disability. The directive applies only to cars with an engine capacity below 1,600cc.

“It’s no secret the privilege is being abused,” said Tatek Negash, director of communications at the Ministry of Transport & Logistics.

The law prohibits the rental or sale of vehicles imported duty-free for use by drivers of disabilities. However, the authorities’ decision angered leaders of persons with disabilities who said they were not consulted.

“The government didn’t consult us,” said Tadesse Meshaha, head of communications for the Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disability.

The Federation’s leaders have requested an audience with Ministry officials.

“We haven’t received a reply yet,” said Tadesse.

However, public Transport Service Agency officials handed over 500 new license plates to the Ministry last week. The Agency was assigned to commission the printing of license plates late last year following the government restructuring. It replaced the former Federal Transport Authority. It has been struggling to live up to its duties. Three months ago, a shortage of Code-2 plates surfaced due to a lack of raw materials.

Solomon Ambachew, director of communications, told Fortune the issue was resolved after his office imported hot stamping foil to paint the embossed plate numbers. The Agency has printed over 8,000 license plates since. Vehicle owners are required to pay between 574 Br and 677 Br for the plates depending on size.

According to its officials, the Ministry will begin distributing the special license plates to municipal and regional transport bureaus this week. The Addis Abeba Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority distributes plates in the capital through its 11 branch offices, and regional transport bureaus carry out the task in their respective jurisdictions.

Last year, 583 vehicles with a 218 million Br value were imported under the privileges granted to persons with disabilities. Although it jumped by 44pc compared to the previous year, the volume accounts for less than two percent of automobiles imported annually. Close to half of the vehicles were made in Japan. Vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are prominent players in the global market for disabled-specialised cars, valued at 2.6 billion dollars in 2020. It is projected to reach 6.3 billion dollars in seven years, according to MarketsandMarkets Research, an Indian consulting firm that publishes strategic analysis reports.