The Kremlin and the East African giants inked a nuclear deal on Thursday, urging the development and construction 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 deal at a nuclear power forum, according to the RIA news agency.
The agreement includes plans to develop a comprehensive strategy and a “road map” for the project’s technical and economic foundation, as well as an intergovernmental agreement to move forward.
The deal further calls for staff training in plant operations and nuclear sector development, as seen on Reuters.
This comes as Russia accelerates several bilateral agreements with some African countries, significantly expanding its presence on the continent.
Niger’s Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi disclosed the country’s intention to construct two 2,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in collaboration with Russia’s state-owned nuclear powerhouse, Rosatom.
The mining minister, on Thursday, spoke at a nuclear symposium in Moscow, urging Russia to strengthen its collaboration in the energy sector.
“Please, let’s develop our uranium deposits together,” he said.
Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev lauded the initiative, calling it “extremely interesting.”
Additionally, 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 ties and strengthening Sudan’s economy.
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.
The GERD can contain up to 74 billion cubic meters of water and produce more than 5,000 megawatts of power at full capacity, more than triple Ethiopia’s current capacity. It is 1.8 kilometers (just over one mile) wide and 145 meters (475 feet) high.
