The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and Rostom have signed an action plan aimed at developing a nuclear power plant project in Ethiopia. The document was signed by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and the Director General of the Electric Power Corporation of Ethiopia, Ashabir Balcha, during the World Atomic Week in Moscow.
The action plan provides for the creation of a specialised working group for a detailed study of the NPP construction project, the preparation of a roadmap with access to a feasibility study, as well as the signing of an intergovernmental agreement. In addition, the document includes support for the development of Ethiopia’s nuclear infrastructure and joint efforts to improve the skills of scientific and technical personnel in various civil nuclear areas.
The project was discussed during bilateral negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The discussion focused on the prospects and further steps for implementation of the NPP project.
“We have a good partnership with Ethiopia, and we will be happy to assist this rapidly developing country in creating a reliable and clean source of energy,” said Likhachev. “With the signing of the Nuclear Power Plant Project Action Plan, we are even closer to the start of construction of the first NPP in Ethiopia. Rosatom is ready to share the most modern technologies with partners, to provide support in training personnel and to create the necessary infrastructure.”
Nuclear cooperation between Russia and Ethiopia began in 2017 with the signing of a framework memorandum. In 2019, a joint plan including a roadmap for the construction of a NPP and a Nuclear Science & Technology Centre was approved. Further memoranda were signed in 2021 related to training specialists and encouraging a positive public perception of nuclear energy in Ethiopia.
In 2023, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Economic & Humanitarian Forum in St Petersburg, a more detailed agreement was signed exploring the development of a NPP and establishment of a Nuclear Science & Technology Centre as well as developing Ethiopia’s nuclear infrastructure, organising technical visits and training, and strengthening local expertise in atomic science.
At the end of 2024, a contract was signed in Addis Ababa to develop a feasibility study for construction of the Nuclear Science & Technology Centre. In February, Ethiopia and the Russia signed a three-year roadmap to strengthen cooperation in nuclear technology during a high-level forum in Addis Ababa.
