Ethiopia and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful use of atomic energy

Tigrai Online, July 7, 2017

According to CCTV and Sudan Tribune Ethiopia and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on peaceful uses of atomic energy. The agreement was signed on Thursday by the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology, Afework Kassu Gizaw, and Russian Deputy Director General of ROSATOM Nikolai Spasskiy.

Sudan tribune reported the agreement was a first of its kind between Russia and Ethiopia. The deal was signed within the framework of IX International Forum ATOMEXPO 2017 “It envisages a bilateral cooperation in a wide range of spheres, i.e. development of nuclear infrastructure in Ethiopia, programs for raising public awareness of nuclear technologies and its application, radioisotopes and radio technologies’ application in industrial, medical, agricultural sectors,” Sudan Tribune quoted the  Ethiopian Foreign Ministry.

The agreement included collaboration in nuclear, radiological and physical security, fundamental and applied researches,

Ethiopia is building mega hydro electric dams, wind farms, and geothermal energy centers, but Ethiopia’s growing economy needs additional reliable green energy source and nuclear power another alternative.

Ethiopia and Russia have signed an agreement on cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Memorandum is the first of its kind between the two countries. Ethiopia sees the peaceful use of atomic energy as necessary to support its fast growing economy. CGTN's Girum Chala reports from Addis Ababa.