Addis Ababa, July 26, 2026 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Defence University has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Advanced Central Laboratory designed to advance artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech research, specialized training and strategic scientific development.
The facility is expected to position Ethiopia as a national hub for cutting-edge research, technological innovation and scientific advancement.
Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed, senior government officials, diplomats and invited guests attended the inauguration ceremony.
Constructed on a 20,850-square-metre site with support from the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Ethiopia–UAE bilateral development partnership, the laboratory is designed to bridge academic knowledge with practical applications in addressing emerging national security, technological and industrial challenges.
The Advanced Central Laboratory features specialized facilities dedicated to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, electrical power systems, automation, communications, 3D printing and CNC machining, prototyping, as well as nursing education and training.
The facility is envisioned as a national centre of excellence that will strengthen Ethiopia’s capacity in advanced science and technology while linking higher education, national security priorities, industry and broader national development objectives.
A key feature of the laboratory is its integrated renewable energy infrastructure.
A solar power system has been installed to support the facility’s high energy requirements and contribute to meeting the Ethiopian Defence University’s electricity needs for up to eight hours a day.
Solar panels installed across multiple sections of the facility generate clean energy and operate alongside conventional power sources to help ensure stable and uninterrupted operations. Solar inverters and battery-storage systems enable energy to be stored and used when required, helping minimize disruptions to research, training and laboratory activities.
The facility also includes a solar water-heating system, further strengthening its energy efficiency and sustainability.
The integrated solar infrastructure is expected to reduce energy costs, limit pollution through the use of clean energy and help mitigate the impact of power interruptions on laboratory operations.
Beyond education and research, the Ethiopian Defence University plans to utilize the laboratory to provide specialized consultancy services in areas including cybersecurity, power infrastructure and logistics engineering.
The facility will also support advanced vocational training, technical mentorship and professional workshops, while creating platforms for knowledge exchange and stronger collaboration among academia, industry and the wider community.
The inauguration marks a significant step in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its scientific and technological capabilities and develop a highly skilled workforce equipped to respond to the increasingly complex security, industrial and technological challenges of the 21st century.