In the days and weeks since Ethiopia launched its gigantic hydropower project, the GERD, news of its ambitions for an even bigger nuclear energy project has gripped public attention. While realizing a nuclear power asset would be an impressive milestone in the country’s development aspirations, the buzz around the plans has sparked debate over whether going nuclear is rational in the face of vast untapped renewable energy potential, particularly in hydropower.
Ethiopia’s growing interest in nuclear power was more explicitly illustrated over the last couple of weeks, which have seen two major global atomic energy events take place.
The World Atomic Week, taking place between September 25, 2025, and September 28, is underway in Moscow, coinciding with Moscow’s celebration of the 80th anniversary of its nuclear industry. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and Ethiopia’s ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance were among the attendees at World Atomic Week—the largest global event dedicated to the nuclear sector and related industries.
Just a week before the gathering in Moscow, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organized its 69th general conference in Vienna, Austria. Belete Mola, minister of Innovation and Technology, led the Ethiopian delegation at this event.
On Thursday, on the sidelines in Moscow, Russia and Ethiopia inked an agreement for an action plan to develop a nuclear power plant project in the African country, Russia’s TASS news agency reported. The deal follows statements made by the PM during the inauguration of GERD, when he publicly disclosed his administration’s plans for a large nuclear power station.
Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia’s state atomic energy corporation Rosatom, and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos signed papers and exchanged documents in the presence of PM Abiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both sides highlighted cooperation in energy and infrastructure.
The signing comes more than eight years after Ethiopia and Russia first signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in 2017, laying the groundwork for broader collaboration in nuclear science, technology, and education.
The document signed between Ethiopia and Russia calls for the planning and construction of a nuclear power plant.
An action plan on development and construction of the facility was signed during a nuclear power forum by Rosatom chief Likhachev, and Ashebir Balcha, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), according to Russian media RIA.
The two sides have reportedly agreed to create a detailed construction plan and a “road map” for the technical and economic foundation of the project and an intergovernmental agreement to proceed. The agreement also calls for training for staff in operating the plant and developing the nuclear sector.
Nonetheless, Ethiopia’s ambition to introduce nuclear power to its energy mix will take at least a decade to realize, according to statements made by government officials during the IAEA conference in Geneva.
Tech Minister Belete expressed gratitude to the Agency and its Director-General Rafael Grossi for a pledge to support Ethiopia’s plans for nuclear energy over the coming decade.
Following a visit to Addis Ababa in June, the IAEA Director-General announced the Agency would work with the Ethiopian government to introduce nuclear power by 2035 and pledged to supply equipment that will allow Tikur Anbessa, Ethiopia’s oldest and largest public hospital, to offer radiation therapy to cancer patients.
The Agency is already working with the government to operationalize a linear accelerator (LINAC) device from Siemens Health at the hospital.
During the Moscow event this week, PM Abiy underscored that Ethiopia has already taken concrete steps, with a roadmap developed in partnership with the Russian Federation to build nuclear infrastructure, train personnel, and strengthen regulatory frameworks.
The premier said Ethiopia stands at the pivotal moment.
“Our youths are vibrant, our cities are modernizing, our industries are growing and our economy is among the fastest rising in the world. But our ambitions are higher—ambitions that demand reliable, clean and scalable energy. Hydropower, solar and wind have carried us far. Yet alone, they cannot power the future we are building,” said Abiy.
The PM noted that Ethiopia’s ambitions for green energy and development have moved beyond GERD.
“Our vision goes beyond today. To transform our nation, we look ahead and embrace what is possible,” he said.
If realized, Ethiopia will become one of very few African countries who harness nuclear power for peaceful development in their renewable energy mix. The initiative also marks BRICS member countries’ commitment to collaborate in multiple development areas.
So far, South Africa is the only country in Africa with an operational nuclear power plant, but reactors are under construction in Egypt. Recently, Niger’s mining minister, Ousmane Abarchi, said his country wanted to build two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in partnership with Rosatom.
Noting that nuclear technology is a possibility, Abiy argued it provides reliable low low-emission power, strengthens food security, equips doctors, optimizes water management, and empowers scientists to innovate.
The PM contends that for Ethiopia, nuclear power is not only about energy, but about people. His administration hopes to see it provide tools for farmers and bring healing to patients.
“We will pursue this responsibly with careful planning, the highest safety standards, and by building strong local capacity. For us, nuclear power is the strategic step in becoming an active participant in artificial intelligence, in industry and innovation,” Abiy noted.
“With more than 130 million people, we cannot afford to wait. Nuclear energy is essential to secure long-term development, diversify our energy mix, and realize Ethiopia’s potential.”
PM Abiy further elaborated that Ethiopia has already taken concrete steps, a roadmap with the Russian Federation lays out plans to build nuclear infrastructure, train personnel, and strengthen regulatory frameworks.
A Nuclear Science and Technology Center is about to be established, and cooperation in peaceful applications of nuclear science is expanding, he further stated.
“We are building the institutions, training talent, and designing a future where nuclear energy strengthens our sovereignty, supports our growth, and serves the next generation,” he said.
The premier stated that Ethiopia is committed to partnerships based on trust, knowledge, and mutual respect, adding “We welcome cooperation and technology transfer, and safety training and reflect the realities of our economies.”
Reflecting on the centuries-old diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and Russia, President Putin hailed the agreements as a big achievement.
“Ethiopia is our long-standing reliable partner in Africa. Our relations are making steady progress, and trade is growing. The intergovernmental commission is working effectively. We have good cooperation in humanitarian areas, above all, training specialists,” he said.
Referring to PM Abiy at the Moscow nuclear conference, Putin also stated “Mr Prime Minister, we remain in constant contact, and we are genuinely pleased to see your representative delegation. Earlier this year, our delegation visited Ethiopia. I am aware that you had an in-person meeting with its head, and I would like to thank you for that. Overall, our relations are gaining momentum across all areas, and we are very pleased that things are going that way. Once again, welcome. We are very pleased to see you.”
Historically, the use of nuclear energy surged after the 1970s oil crisis, promising a stable and efficient power source. However, high-profile accidents like Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima in 2011 triggered global reevaluation. Countries like Germany have since initiated plans to phase out nuclear power, shifting attention to renewable alternatives.
Nuclear energy is produced through nuclear fission—primarily with uranium—by splitting the nucleus of an atom into smaller parts. In nuclear reactors, uranium-235 atoms are bombarded with neutrons, which cause them to split, releasing heat energy and additional neutrons. These neutrons continue to trigger fission in other uranium atoms, creating a sustained chain reaction.
The heat generated is used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. This process yields a massive energy output from a small amount of fuel. While this can seem like an effective way to continually and reliably generate energy, nuclear energy does have several disadvantages.
Yet even with those disadvantages, nations in Asia like China and India have invested heavily in nuclear power to meet their growing energy demands.
Some of the advantages include exceptionally high energy density, minimal greenhouse gas emission, reliability to run continuously, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and improved energy security. On the other hand, nuclear energy also brings with it hazardous radioactive waste and byproducts from nuclear reactors, which remain dangerous to people and the environment for thousands of years.
Safe, long-term disposal solutions, such as deep geological repositories, are complex and expensive, posing environmental and logistical challenges. This means that nearly all of the world’s existing nuclear waste is stored in temporary facilities. As more radioactive waste is produced, new storage facilities must be constructed.
High investment cost is another disadvantage. Some researchers estimate the average investment cost of one nuclear plant at USD 7.5 billion.
The risk of nuclear accidents, especially the explosion of a nuclear power plant, is another disadvantage, which could carry disastrous consequences.
Accessing uranium, which is a primary fuel for nuclear reactors, is also an issue. Uranium is scarce and accessing it often risks geopolitical feuds in the global power struggle, meaning that sourcing uranium typically requires political backing and generosity from friendly nations.
