- Russia’s nuclear deal with Ethiopia includes plans for a nuclear power plant and technical training for local experts.
- The deal with Ethiopia strengthens bilateral ties and sets a roadmap for long-term energy collaboration.
Russia has finally moved forward with its long-awaited nuclear deal with East Africa’s largest economy, Ethiopia. The agreement marks a significant step in energy cooperation between the two nations and could reshape the region’s power landscape.
On Thursday, the Kremlin and Ethiopian officials signed a strategic plan to develop and construct a nuclear power plant. According to the Russian news agency RIA, the CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Company, Ashebir Balcha, and Rosatom’s Director-General, Aleksei Likhachev, finalised the deal during an atomic power forum.
Significantly, the agreement outlines a detailed roadmap covering technical and economic foundations. It also paves the way for a formal intergovernmental agreement to kick-start implementation. In addition, the plan includes staff training for nuclear operations and the development of Ethiopia’s nuclear sector capacity, Reuters reported.
This deal comes as Russia steps up bilateral agreements with several African nations, expanding its influence on the continent’s energy future. Only yesterday, Niger’s Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi announced plans to build two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in partnership with Rosatom. He spoke at a nuclear symposium in Moscow, calling for closer collaboration in uranium development and energy projects.
Furthermore, Russia recently signed a wide-ranging cooperation agreement with Sudan. The pact will modernise transport systems, including railways, ports, airports, and civil aviation. Both sides also agreed to launch training programmes for Sudan’s central bank and work on diversifying bilateral trade beyond agriculture.
Russia’s nuclear diplomacy ultimately reflects its broader strategy of deepening economic and political ties across Africa, with energy partnerships playing a central role.