Russia and Ethiopia Deepen Bilateral Ties with Focus on Nuclear Energy and Economic Cooperation
President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia held discussions during the 2026 Russia-Africa Summit, emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral relations. The talks highlighted a significant increase in mutual trade, which exceeded US$1.3 billion from January to September this year, more than double the figure for the entirety of 2025. Key areas of cooperation include energy, agriculture, industrial collaboration, space exploration, science, healthcare, and education. A major focus is nuclear cooperation, with Ethiopia having signed a nuclear power plant development action plan with Russia in September 2025. Russia's Rosatom is conducting a feasibility study for a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Ethiopia, with plans for two reactor units by 2032-2034. Additionally, a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) is being developed to utilize nuclear and radiation technologies beyond power generation, in sectors like industry, medicine, and agriculture.
