Ethiopia’s energy strategy has long been associated with hydropower. When the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was completed, it provided the country with a large-scale power generation plant. It also underscored how such infrastructure in the region intersects with climate variability and geopolitics in a river basin shared by several countries.
The dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa and among the 20 largest in the world. Yet the country’s electricity system remains strained. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy, only around 22% of households have a legal grid connection, while millions continue to rely on firewood and charcoal. Consumers experience frequent power interruptions, averaging nearly 39 outages per month, a total of around 21 hours.
Reliance on hydro (around 90% of all electricity generation is derived from hydropower) has enabled rapid growth, but it also exposed the system to rainfall fluctuations and drought cycles. Solar and wind projects are expanding and will remain an important part of the energy balance, but the stability of their supply could pose a problem. System stability is paramount in a growing economy.
Nuclear energy is frequently discussed in this context as a potential long-term addition to the current energy mix. Modern nuclear plants generate large volumes of low-carbon electricity 24/7 – and do not depend on weather or time of day. This is important for Ethiopia, a country which exports some of its energy to neighbours.
However, nuclear development is different from other forms of power generation. It requires specialised engineering expertise, an independent regulatory framework, radiation protection systems, emergency preparedness capabilities and long-term waste management planning. Establishing such a system takes years of preparation.
Should the country genuinely consider nuclear power as part of its energy balance, workforce development should precede infrastructure. This is where Ethiopia has already taken initial steps. The country has been selected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to host a continental bachelor’s degree programme in Nuclear Science and Technology for African member states. Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) plans to enrol its first undergraduate cohort in 2026.
The programme is developed in cooperation with the IAEA, the Chinese government and Tsinghua University. International partners are prepared to supply laboratories and essential teaching materials. Ten Ethiopian students will take part in advanced training in China to support the establishment of the Nuclear Science and Technology Centre at AASTU. The university expects to admit up to 25 undergraduate students per intake, with the first graduates anticipated in 2030. An estimated 200 million birr will be made available to establish and operate the centre, with the IAEA covering core costs.
The educational initiative also positions Ethiopia as a regional training hub. Using frameworks such as the African Network for Education in Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA–NEST), shared academic standards and joint education programmes are being implemented across several African states. What is more, nuclear science applications extend beyond electricity generation – to areas such as medicine and agriculture, thus strengthening several sectors.
International scholarship programmes complement domestic efforts. The IAEA’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme supports young women pursuing advanced nuclear studies and internships. “It is really a great pleasure to receive the scholarship… the fellowship program will help me to develop and acquire more knowledge regarding nuclear technology,” said Yordanos Shemeles, an Energy and Power Engineering student at Tsinghua University. Rosatom, a major international nuclear technology company, supports the programme by covering tuition for scholarship recipients studying at partner universities in Russia. The company also facilitates internships at its enterprises and provides additional stipends. Several Ethiopian students have been among recent beneficiaries.
Ethiopia has an electricity generation surplus, yet exports stand at just 7% because the transmission network is not strong enough to carry larger volumes to neighbouring Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan. Nuclear-trained graduates from AASTU and IAEA programs can help bridge this gap and make the most out of the existing hydropower network – before even turning their attention to larger nuclear plants.
Hydropower will remain central to Ethiopia’s energy mix. Solar and wind capacity will continue to expand. Yet as demand grows and climate conditions fluctuate, relying on weather-dependent sources could limit how fast the industry grows. Nuclear energy could serve as a stabilising baseload component within the broader energy mix – rather than a replacement for renewables.
However, any credible nuclear programme should begin with investment in human capital. Engineers, safety specialists, regulators and operators must be trained before construction commences. Developing such expertise would require sustained investment in education and international cooperation.
Ethiopia’s energy future will depend not only on megawatts installed, but on the depth of knowledge available to manage complex systems. If nuclear power becomes part of the national mix, its foundation will have been laid years before the fact, through focused investment in human capital.
