Addis Ababa, December 9, 2025 (FMC) — Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said the establishment of a nuclear energy project will serve as a pillar for Ethiopia to meet both current and future electricity demand. His remarks were made at a high-level event in Addis Ababa today, held in connection with the Ethiopian Nuclear Power Programme.
The event brought together senior government officials, including Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commissioner Sandokan Debebe, and Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), along with other officials and stakeholders.
It was noted that the construction of a mega nuclear power plant, part of the USD 30-billion mega development initiatives recently announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s energy security and support industrial transformation.
According to Gedion, the planned nuclear power plant is a national flagship project that will play a key role in ensuring Ethiopia’s long-term power supply. “Our vision is to build a nation where every household has access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity,” he said.
The Minister stressed the importance of modernizing energy infrastructure as technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing expand and require high electricity inputs. He noted that energy demand from data centers is projected to double by 2030, while environmental impacts from fossil fuels continue to increase. Nuclear power, he said, offers a dependable long-term option to meet growing needs.
“If we invest wisely today, we can secure a brighter future powered by clean energy,” Gedion stated, adding that nuclear development could accelerate urbanization and industrialization.
To advance this effort, the Ethiopian government has established the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission to lead nuclear development and guide the peaceful use of nuclear technology across various sectors including health and agriculture.
Ethiopia is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure safety and transparency, with the Agency providing advisory support on the application of nuclear technology.
Gedion reaffirmed Ethiopia’s ambition to diversify its energy sources and become a hub of prosperity in Africa, as reported by local news agency ENA. He expressed hope that the Nuclear Energy Commission will grow into a center of excellence that inspires other African nations.
Recalling Ethiopia’s past achievements, he said, “Just as the launch of Ethiopian Airlines once seemed ambitious, so too is our nuclear ambition today. With resolve and determination, we will realize our dreams of a nuclear-powered Ethiopia.”
The Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission, established in October 2025, is mandated to oversee peaceful nuclear technology use in the country and to support electricity generation, industrial development, food security, healthcare services, and scientific research.
The Commission is tasked with ensuring that all nuclear-related activities comply with international safety standards, particularly standards set by the IAEA.