Ethiopia has identified three potential locations for its first nuclear power plant.
During a visit to the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the next stage will involve verifying the suitability of the proposed locations, preparing the selected site, and concluding an agreement with the technology supplier, Ethiopia Today reported on October 21.
He said reliable and sustainable electricity is essential for industrialization, manufacturing, technological progress and wider economic transformation.
The proposed plant would comprise two reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, for a combined 2,400 megawatts.
According to the World Nuclear Association, Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom and the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation signed an action plan to develop plans for a nuclear power plant project in September 2025. A working group was created to prepare a roadmap, feasibility study and a further intergovernmental agreement.
In December 2025, following the creation of the Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission, Ethiopian and Russian officials met in Moscow to discuss plans for a large-scale nuclear power plant. In March 2026 the Ethiopia Nuclear Energy Commission and Rosatom signed a strategic roadmap for nuclear energy development, giving effect to the September 2025 action plan.
Ethiopia is targeting two units of approximately 1200 MWe each, to be operational between 2032 and 2034.
Ethiopia has also discussed cooperation with China’s Atomic Energy Authority on training, financial modelling and regulatory frameworks, while holding talks with Italy on technical support, infrastructure development and radioactive-waste management. The African country has likewise launched a partnership with Argentina covering reactor design, research reactors and regulatory oversight.
