Addis Ababa, October 21, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timpothewos told reporters in a press conference following his bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Ethiopia’s nuclear energy program and other energy initiatives will position the country as a regional leader in energy and technology.
Gedion described the recently signed action plan for Ethiopia’s first nuclear power plant with Rosatom as “a huge milestone both in terms of the relationship between our two countries and in introducing this kind of technology to sub-Saharan Africa.”
He emphasized that the nuclear project, together with other ongoing energy initiatives, will advance Ethiopia’s industrialization and modernization, while positioning the country as a leader in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which he described as “very critical for the African continent going forward.”
Gedion highlighted Ethiopia’s drive to strengthen its position as a net energy exporter, noting that the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has enabled electricity exports to neighbors including Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan. “We aim to continue in this line and use our energy exports to promote regional integration and cooperation in the Horn of Africa,” he said.
He also noted that following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Moscow last month, Ethiopia has established the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission to oversee and coordinate the country’s peaceful nuclear energy development, with a Chief Commissioner already appointed to lead the initiative.
Reflecting on the broader bilateral relationship, Gedion expressed appreciation for Russia’s longstanding friendship and support. He recalled productive interactions on the sidelines of BRICS meetings in Russia and Brazil and high-level discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Vladimir Putin during World Atomic Week, describing these engagements as providing “the necessary impetus for our relationship” and opening a new chapter in Ethiopia-Russia cooperation.
On his part, Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov addressed the press, noting the importance of African-led solutions to regional conflicts. “Minister [Gedion] informed us in detail about the assessments of our Ethiopian friends, about what is going on in this important and, unfortunately, traditionally volatile continent,” he said. Lavrov stressed the need to overcome differences between African countries by peaceful means, in full compliance with international law, following the principle Russia has long respected: African solutions to African problems.
He also noted that prior interventions by former colonial powers through the UN Security Council were counterproductive and pledged support for African Union and sub-regional initiatives to facilitate sustainable resolutions in the interest of Africans themselves.