Ethiopia relies on Moscow and Washington to frame its nuclear program.
Ethiopia is seeking the support of both Russia and the United States in establishing its regulatory framework for civil nuclear energy. This initiative comes as major powers engage in an increasing competition to develop their nuclear cooperation worldwide, particularly in Africa.
SUMMARY
The Ethiopian Technology Authority organized a consultation forum on Tuesday, August 4, in Addis Ababa, dedicated to developing the legal framework for the sector. The meeting was intended to examine the guidelines set to regulate civil nuclear activities in the country.
The simultaneous appeal to Moscow and Washington illustrates Ethiopia’s desire to rely on two partners with extensive experience in the nuclear field. However, Russia and the United States remain direct competitors in the international energy and nuclear technology markets.
Civil nuclear energy represents one of the sectors where rivalry among major powers is most evident. Russia, the United States, China, and France are seeking to strengthen their presence in many countries by offering solutions related to electricity production, training, and nuclear safety.
A Regulatory Framework Under Construction
For Ethiopia, the priority is to establish the necessary rules for the development of this sector. Establishing a regulatory framework should specifically define the responsibilities of national institutions and the conditions for supervising future nuclear activities.
The forum held in Addis Ababa is part of this preparatory phase. The consultations are expected to help clarify the texts and mechanisms intended to govern civil nuclear energy in the country, as Ethiopia seeks to enhance its technological capabilities.
The involvement of foreign partners provides Addis Ababa with access to expertise accumulated in regulation, safety, and management of nuclear programs. It also reflects the importance attributed by the Ethiopian authorities to international support in a particularly sensitive sector.
Thus, Russia and the United States are engaged in the same institutional initiative, despite their geopolitical and commercial rivalries. For Ethiopia, this parallel cooperation allows it to mobilize multiple sources of expertise as it builds the foundations of its civil nuclear program.
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