Ethiopia and the Russia have signed a three-year roadmap to strengthen cooperation in nuclear technology, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation & Technology. The signing took place during a high-level forum in Addis Ababa attended by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation & Technology Dr Belete Mollo and the Russia’s Minister for Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.
The new roadmap builds on an agreement reached in 2023 on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Economic & Humanitarian Forum in St Petersburg. The previous agreement covered exploring the development of a NPP and establishing a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Ethiopia. That agreement also envisaged developing Ethiopia’s nuclear infrastructure, organising technical visits and trainings, and strengthening local expertise in atomic science.
Russia and Ethiopia also decided to establish joint projects financed by a special investment fund that will be established in 2025, according to Reshetnikov. The parties agreed to hold the next meeting of the Russian-Ethiopian intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation and trade in Moscow in June.
Dr Molla, who is also Chairman of the Ethiopian-Russia Joint Committee, stressed Ethiopia’s willingness to use nuclear technology in healthcare, agriculture and energy sectors. The roadmap is part of broader discussions on cooperation between Ethiopia and Russia in trade, investment, education and technology transfer. As Moscow ramps up its nuclear partnerships in Africa, Ethiopia seeks to integrate the technology into its economic development.
Separately, Reshetnikov met with Ethiopian Investment Commissioner Zelalem Temesgen to discuss strengthening investment ties, particularly in the mining, agriculture and energy sectors as well as trade and tourism, and the possibility of joint projects in information technology, education, and healthcare. The two sides agreed to hold an economic forum to identify joint projects.
Reshetnikov was part of a Russian delegation, including Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Andrey Maslov, head of the Centre for African Studies in Moscow. The delegation met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, with Matviyenko praising Ethiopia’s BRICS membership, which she said opened new opportunities for cooperation in international forums such as the UN.
