Ethiopia, Russia commence cooperation in the field of peaceful atom

Addis Ababa, July 28, 2023 (FBC) – A roadmap for the development of Ethiopian-Russian cooperation in the field of the peaceful use of atomic energy was signed on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg.

The document was signed by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM (Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation), and Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia.

The roadmap defines the specific steps the parties will take in 2023-2025 to explore the possibilities of building nuclear power plant of large or small power capacity, as well as a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology in Ethiopia.

The two parties plan to join forces to develop Ethiopia’s national nuclear infrastructure, organize technical tours and seminars, and hold meetings of specialized working groups.

“Ethiopia wants to use nuclear technology for health, agriculture and energy supply sectors,” said the Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, during the signing event.

For his part, Alexey Likhachev said that building the capacity of Ethiopian experts in atomic science is the primary focus of the agreement.

He mentioned that ROSATOM is working on the construction of 33 nuclear research centers in 8 countries.