Russia–Ethiopia nuclear partnership to reshape regional energy – FM
Addis Ababa wants to lead in regional energy exports and high-tech development, Gedion Timotheos has said
Ethiopia’s partnership with Russia in the field of nuclear energy is set to transform the African country’s energy landscape and regional influence, Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos said on Tuesday.
Speaking after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, the minister emphasized that the agreement signed with Rosatom – which includes the planned construction of Ethiopia’s first nuclear power plant – represents a “major step” for both countries and for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.
The meeting with Lavrov took place shortly after the signing of the nuclear agreement. In September, Rosatom and Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation signed an action plan in Moscow to advance the construction of Ethiopia’s first nuclear power plant. The signing ceremony was held in the Kremlin as part of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“We hope to strengthen the leading role of Ethiopia in energy in our region,” Timotheos said, adding that Addis Ababa already exports electricity to Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan, and plans to expand that cooperation with new nuclear capacity.
“The energy that will be received through the nuclear power plant and other projects will contribute to the modernization of Ethiopia,” including ambitions to lead in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, he said.
Lavrov stated that “the signing of agreements to build the first nuclear power plant in Ethiopia is a major milestone in countries’ relations, as well as an important step toward implementing similar technologies in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Speaking to TASS, Russian ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin announced that Rosatom will build a nuclear power plant in the African state using the VVER-1200 reactor – a modern 1,200 MW pressurized water design known for high efficiency and advanced safety systems.
Timotheos also emphasized that both sides are determined to expand cooperation, noting that trade turnover is growing. Terekhin told TASS the countries’ trade more than doubled in the first half of 2025, reaching $191.2 million. He noted expanding trade is a priority for bilateral relations and highlighted Ethiopia’s strong export potential in coffee, flowers, oilseeds, and legumes.
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