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Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom, is moving forward with plans to construct a nuclear power plant in Ethiopia, signaling a major expansion of Moscow’s energy footprint in East Africa.
The commitment was formalized during a recent nuclear power forum, where an action plan for the facility’s development and construction was signed. The agreement was executed by Aleksei Likhachev, the general director of Rosatom, and Ashebir Balcha, the CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power Company (EEP), according to a report from the Russian news agency RIA.
Detailed Plans and Intergovernmental Scope
The document details that the two nations have agreed to establish a comprehensive construction blueprint, along with a “road map” to solidify the project’s technical and economic underpinnings. The ultimate goal is to secure an intergovernmental agreement to greenlight the construction phase.
Furthermore, the initiative extends beyond mere infrastructure, encompassing provisions for staff training essential for operating the future plant and a broader commitment to developing Ethiopia’s domestic nuclear sector.
South Africa Leads, Other African Nations Look to Moscow
The push to introduce nuclear energy in Ethiopia would mark a significant shift in Africa’s energy landscape. Currently, South Africa is the only nation on the continent operating a nuclear power facility, though Egypt is actively constructing its own reactors.
Russia’s Rosatom, which is a key player in the global nuclear industry, appears to be cementing its role as a preferred partner for several African states. Earlier, Niger’s mining minister, Ousmane Abarchi, expressed his country’s interest in partnering with Rosatom to construct two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors.
Safety and Regional Context
The Rosatom-Ethiopia agreement was announced amid regional discussions on nuclear safety. Separately, in South Africa, the utility Eskom issued a statement confirming the safety of its Koeberg power station, refuting what it termed “flying blind” claims, illustrating the intense scrutiny surrounding nuclear operations on the continent.
