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.