A high-level event was held in Addis Ababa on Monday (December 8) to officially launch the Ethiopian Nuclear Power Programme and operationalize the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission. The event brought together senior government officials and international partners, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission Commissioner Sandokan Debebe, and Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), alongside other government officials and stakeholders.
During the launch programme, Minister Gedion said the initiative is driven by rapidly growing electricity demand, the need for reliable baseload energy, and Ethiopia’s long-term industrial ambitions. He emphasized that nuclear power will play a central role in ensuring energy security, supporting urbanization, and powering emerging sectors such as data centers and advanced manufacturing.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner Sandokan Debebe noted that the government has made a strategic decision to adopt nuclear power as a cornerstone of its long-term national energy strategy, not merely as an additional technology but as a foundational pillar for economic transformation and energy security. He further underscored that Ethiopia is fully committed to the exclusive peaceful use of nuclear technology, anchored in the establishment of the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission, which operates under a clear legal framework and robust institutional governance.
Ethiopia’s nuclear vision, he said, extends beyond electricity generation to include the peaceful application of nuclear science in healthcare, agriculture, industry, and research, delivering tangible socio-economic benefits. He added that Ethiopia is aligning its national framework with IAEA standards and adhering strictly to all relevant international treaties and obligations, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a safe, secure, and lawful nuclear programme in support of a modern and industrialized nation.
In a webinar address, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that the establishment of the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission is critical for the development and regulation of nuclear power in line with international safety and security standards. He highlighted nuclear energy’s strong potential as a reliable, low-carbon electricity source capable of accelerating Ethiopia’s socio-economic transformation while also stimulating industrial growth and creating high-skilled employment opportunities.
Grossi further stated that the IAEA remains fully committed to supporting Ethiopia through advisory services and capacity-building assistance at every stage of its nuclear development programme. He noted that cooperation is already underway under the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme to strengthen human resources, institutional capacity, and preparedness for future infrastructure milestones.
The Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission, established in October 2025, is mandated to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the country. Its responsibilities include the development of nuclear power for electricity generation, as well as supporting industrial growth, food security, healthcare delivery, and scientific research. One of the Commission’s key functions is to guide the application of nuclear technology across critical sectors, with a strong emphasis on safety, sustainability, and responsible use in line with international standards.
It can be recalled that the planned construction of a mega nuclear power plant, part of the USD 30 billion mega development initiatives recently announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s energy security and supporting long-term industrial transformation.