Russia and East Africa’s largest economy, Ethiopia, are moving forward to cement a nuclear deal that has been touted for years.
- Russia and Ethiopia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement to establish a nuclear power plant in Ethiopia.
- The deal was finalized by leaders of the Ethiopian Electric Power Company and Rosatom during a nuclear energy forum.
- Sudan and Russia also recently agreed to enhance infrastructure and trade, including modernizing Sudan’s transport systems.
- Niger announced plans to collaborate with Russia’s Rosatom to develop two nuclear reactors on the same day.
The Kremlin and the East African giants inked a nuclear deal on Thursday, urging the development and building of a nuclear power plant in Ethiopia.
The CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Company, Ashebir Balcha, and Rosatom’s General Director, Aleksei Likhachev, finalized a strategic plan for the development and construction of the nuclear plant at a nuclear power forum, according to the RIA news agency.
This is coming amid Russia’s rapid expansion of its nuclear footprint on the continent.
Just yesterday, a couple of reports went out, showing that Russia is moving ahead with its nuclear deal with Sudan, while also planning on establishing two nuclear facilities in Niger.
Russia signed a wide-ranging cooperation agreement with Sudan to modernise the country’s transport system, including railways, ports, airports, and civil aviation.
Along with infrastructural commitments, both sides agreed to initiate training programs for Sudan’s central bank and explore strategies to grow their bilateral trade outside agriculture.
Future collaboration will encompass metal, fertilizer, machinery, and medical exchanges, with both governments emphasizing the importance of diversifying economic connections and strengthening Sudan’s economy.
Additionally, Niger disclosed its intention to construct two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in collaboration with Russia’s state-owned nuclear business, Rosatom, Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi revealed.
The mining minister, who made the announcement on Thursday, spoke at a nuclear symposium in Moscow and asked Russia to strengthen its collaboration in the field. “Please, let’s develop our uranium deposits together,” he said at the nuclear forum in Moscow.
Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev lauded the initiative, calling it “extremely interesting.”
Plans for a nuclear deal between Russia and Ethiopia
During the recent inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed parts of a $30 billion infrastructure development, which includes the construction of a nuclear power plant, an oil refinery, two natural gas facilities, and an airport.
The nuclear plan dates back to an agreement Russia and Ethiopia signed in 2017.
In February, Genet Teshome Jirru, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Russia, revisited the subject during an interview, noting that both countries are looking to bolster their energy cooperation as they continue to explore the potential of a nuclear deal.
As per the nuclear plant, Ethiopia expects to construct two units operational between 2032 and 2034, each with a capacity of approximately 1200 MW.
Smaller, more versatile Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are also under consideration, according to Construction Review.
“Preparatory work for the construction of a nuclear power plant is already underway, and the nuclear power plant will operate exclusively for peaceful purposes,” the Prime Minister said during the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s inauguration.
According to the Ethiopian leader, the nuclear power plant will be “equal to the GERD” in size.
