Ethiopia and Kenya are intensifying their competition for nuclear energy dominance in East Africa, with both nations signing strategic partnerships with Asian powers, potentially reshaping the continent’s energy landscape and geopolitical influence.
Ethiopia has taken a decisive step forward in September 2025 by signing a comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom. The agreement, formalized during Moscow’s World Atomic Week, outlines plans for constructing Ethiopia’s first nuclear power plant with an estimated capacity of 1,200 MW by 2032-2034.
This nuclear initiative comes just weeks after Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September 2025, a massive 5,150 MW hydroelectric project that already positions the country as a regional energy powerhouse. The GERD, equivalent to three nuclear power plants in capacity, provides Ethiopia with significant leverage in regional energy markets and exports to neighboring countries including Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the peaceful nature of the nuclear program, stating that the facility would be used “solely for peaceful purposes”. The Russian partnership includes provisions for staff training, technology transfer, and the development of detailed construction plans.
Kenya Pivots Strategy Amid Opposition
Kenya’s nuclear ambitions have encountered significant obstacles, forcing strategic pivots in both location and approach. Originally planned for Kilifi County on the coast, Kenya’s first nuclear power plant has been relocated to Siaya County following fierce community resistance in late 2024.
The Kilifi protests, which saw demonstrators carrying banners reading “Sitaki nuclear” (I don’t want nuclear), highlighted concerns about environmental impacts on tourism, fishing industries, and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Protesters argued that the 500 billion Kenyan shilling ($3.9 billion) investment could generate more renewable energy capacity elsewhere.
The new Siaya location, specifically Lwanda Kotieno in Rarieda sub-county, offers technical advantages including proximity to Lake Victoria for reactor cooling and academic support from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University. Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) projects the plant will initially generate 1,000 MW before expanding to 20,000 MW by 2040.
Kenya has diversified its international partnerships, signing agreements with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in March 2025 while maintaining cooperation frameworks with the United States, South Korea, and Russia. The country is currently in Phase 2 of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s milestone approach, targeting construction by 2027 and commissioning by 2034.
Social media reactions reveal mixed public sentiment. YouTube educational content from Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency emphasizes safety standards and economic benefits, while some channels express skepticism about costs and environmental risks. Ethiopian social media shows more positive reception, with Instagram posts celebrating GERD as a symbol of national pride and YouTube videos describing the nuclear partnership as asserting sovereignty against Western energy dependence.
The competition extends beyond individual projects to broader regional influence. Both countries recognize nuclear energy as essential for industrialization and energy security, with Kenya importing electricity from Ethiopia and Uganda while Ethiopia aims to become a regional energy hub. The involvement of Asian powers—Russia in Ethiopia, China in Kenya—reflects a global competition where China and Russia have captured 48 of 52 new reactor constructions since 2017.
This nuclear race occurs within Africa’s broader energy transformation, where over 20 countries are pursuing nuclear programs and the International Atomic Energy Agency projects capacity could increase tenfold by 2050. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are driving this expansion, offering lower costs and faster deployment than traditional large reactors.
The winner of this East African nuclear race will likely gain significant advantages in regional energy markets, industrial development, and geopolitical influence, while deepening ties with their respective Asian partners in what represents a new chapter in global energy diplomacy.
