Ethiopia deepens nuclear cooperation with Russia

Ethiopia has signed an agreement to build a nuclear power plant with the Russian state-owned enterprise, Rosatom, as reported by Africa News via Reuters on September 26.

The agreement was concluded on September 25 between the Ethiopian Electric Power Company and Rosatom during a nuclear energy forum in Moscow.

This development is part of Moscow’s broader drive to accelerate bilateral deals across Africa and expand its influence on the continent. In June, Russia concluded agreements with Malian President Assimi Goita, including plans for a civil nuclear power programme, further extending its nuclear presence in Africa.

The deal between Ethiopia and Rosatom agreed to create an extensive construction plan and a “roadmap” for the economic and technical foundation of the project, as well as an intergovernmental agreement to proceed. It also includes provisions for training staff to operate the plant and to strengthen the wider nuclear sector.

Niger also expressed interest in working with the Russian company. The mining minister, Ousmane Abarchi, said his country wanted to build two 2000-megawatt nuclear reactors in partnership with Rosatom.

He also said Niger, which was the world’s eighth-largest producer of uranium in 2024, was proposing cooperation with Moscow to develop his country’s reserves of the mineral. Reportedly, these projects would be developed under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, explained that Russia fulfils all of its nuclear contract obligations regardless of the political solution.

Speaking at the plenary session of the World Atomic Week Putin said: “Russia is interested in creating stable, long-term conditions for nuclear projects.” He continued to explain that “above all, ensuring nuclear safety and the physical security of nuclear facilities and installations, wherever these facilities are located, is an absolute priority for our country.”

He said Russia plans to launch the world’s first nuclear energy system with a closed fuel cycle by 2030. It will reuse over 90% of the spent fuel which will help solve problems of radioactive waste and issue of uranium supply.

Africa News via reuters, Maghrebi.org