Ethiopia has officially launched its national nuclear power program, marking a significant step toward diversifying its energy sources beyond hydropower.

A high-level ceremony is underway in Addis Ababa, attended by key stakeholders, as the country unveils its plans for nuclear energy.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gedeon Timothewos said the move is driven by rapidly growing electricity demand, the need for reliable baseload energy, and the country’s long-term industrial ambitions.

He emphasized that nuclear power will be central to Ethiopia’s plans to ensure energy security, support urbanization, and power emerging sectors such as data centers and advanced manufacturing.

The Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission (ENEC) has been established to oversee the program, which includes both electricity generation and the broader peaceful use of nuclear technology in healthcare, agriculture, industry, and research.

Commissioner Sendokan Debebe said Ethiopia’s electricity demand is projected to reach nearly 86 terawatt-hours by 2035, far exceeding the capacity of current energy sources.

He described nuclear power as a “strategic and future-defining” solution capable of supporting the country’s economic transformation and long-term resilience.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing extensive technical support, POA learned.

IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to helping Ethiopia build the institutional, regulatory, and human-resource foundations required for a safe and secure nuclear program.

Ongoing cooperation includes capacity building, expert missions, infrastructure planning, and support for Ethiopia’s growing use of nuclear technology in medicine and cancer treatment.

Ethiopia stressed that it remains fully committed to the exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy and is aligning its national framework with international safety and regulatory standards.