By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 12 January 2026 Ethiopia plans to begin generating electricity using nuclear technology in less than 10 years, the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission announced, marking a strategic move aimed at enhancing energy security and supporting the country’s sustainable development agenda.
Abdulrazak Omar, Deputy Commissioner of the Nuclear Energy Commission, told local media that international experience shows nuclear energy development and power generation typically take between 10 and 15 years. However, he noted that some countries—most notably China—have managed to shorten this timeframe, adding that Ethiopia aims to achieve a similar acceleration within a period of less than a decade.
Omar said Ethiopia has already established a national institution capable of assuming responsibility for developing a nuclear power programme, stressing that preparatory work is already underway. He explained that the process goes beyond building physical infrastructure and includes nuclear safety and security requirements in line with internationally recognized standards.
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He added that Ethiopia’s nuclear energy programme is intended to provide sufficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly power, emphasizing that the peaceful use of nuclear technology for electricity generation would deliver tangible benefits to key sectors such as health, industry, and agriculture by boosting production and productivity.
The deputy commissioner also underscored the importance of raising public and institutional awareness alongside the shift toward nuclear energy, noting that certain risks associated with the sector require a high level of coordination and close cooperation among all stakeholders—from local communities to state institutions.
