Russia and Ethiopia formalized plans Thursday to develop a nuclear power plant in the East African nation, RIA reported.
The agreement was signed at a nuclear forum by Rosatom CEO Aleksei Likhachev and Ethiopian Electric Company chief Ashebir Balcha.
The document outlines a detailed construction plan, technical and economic roadmap, and intergovernmental agreement to advance the project efficiently.
It also includes training programs for Ethiopian staff to operate the plant and develop expertise within the country’s nuclear sector.
Africa currently has only one operational nuclear facility, located in South Africa, highlighting Ethiopia’s ambitious energy expansion goals.
Reactors are also under construction in Egypt, signaling a broader African trend toward nuclear energy development across the continent.
Earlier this month, Niger announced intentions to build two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in collaboration with Russia’s Rosatom corporation.
Experts note the move reflects a growing strategic and economic partnership between Russia and several African nations in energy infrastructure.
Ethiopia’s nuclear ambitions align with its long-term vision to diversify electricity sources and reduce dependence on hydropower.
The deal is seen as both a technological leap and a geopolitical statement amid increasing global competition in nuclear energy markets.
The project marks a historic step for Ethiopia, potentially transforming its energy landscape and boosting industrial and technological capacity nationwide.
The signing signals a new chapter in Africa’s pursuit of nuclear energy, combining international expertise with local workforce development initiatives.