Ethiopia signed an agreement with Russia on Thursday to build a nuclear power plant in the East African nation.

The deal was finalised by leaders of the Ethiopian Electric Power Company and Russian state-owned entity, Rosatom, during a nuclear energy forum in Moscow.

They agreed to create a detailed construction plan and a “roadmap” for the technical and economic foundation of the project, plus an intergovernmental agreement to proceed.

The agreement also called for the training of staff to operate the plant and develop the nuclear sector.

Earlier, Niger’s mining minister, Ousmane Abarchi, said his country wanted to build two Ethiopia, Niger Signs Pact with Russia’s Rosatom Nuclear Plantsmegawatt nuclear reactors in partnership with the Russian nuclear corporation.

Abarchi said Niamey was also proposing cooperation with Moscow to develop its country’s uranium reserves.

As the world’s eighth-largest producer last year, Niger wants to harness this mineral asset to increase power generation.

He said the projects would be developed under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The deals come as Moscow accelerates bilateral agreements with some African countries, significantly expanding its presence on the continent.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country fulfils all its nuclear contract obligations regardless of the political situation.

“Russia is interested in creating stable, long-term conditions for nuclear projects,” he said at the plenary session of the World Atomic Week.

“Above all, ensuring nuclear safety and the physical security of nuclear facilities and installations, wherever these facilities are located, is an absolute priority for our country.”

Putin said that Russia plans to launch the world’s first nuclear energy system with a closed fuel cycle by 2030.

He said it will reuse over 90 per cent of the spent fuel, which will help to solve the problem of radioactive waste and the issue of uranium supply.

African leaders attending the 80th United Nations General Assembly are advocating for a greater global role for the continent in Security Council reforms and equitable trade.

Their message centred on a refusal to accept continued marginalisation and a demand for Africa’s rightful place as a sovereign partner on the world stage.

A central theme echoed by multiple leaders was the urgent need to overhaul the United Nations, particularly its Security Council.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo described Africa as the “continent of the future” and argued that a UN fit for purpose must be “more representative, more transparent, and aligned with the realities of our world.”

He stated plainly, “One can see clearly that the Security Council in its current composition no longer reflects the geopolitical balance of our world. Thus, the urgent need to reform it, not in theory, but in practice.”

This sentiment underscores a long-standing grievance that Africa, a continent of 54 nations, lacks a permanent seat on the world’s most powerful diplomatic body.

Political Injustices
The speeches moved beyond institutional reform to address broader issues of economic and political justice.

Faustin Archange Touadera, Head of State of the Central African Republic, asserted that Africa requires “bold partnerships” where inclusive development serves as a tool for peace.

He powerfully articulated the continent’s aspirations, stating, “The role of Africa within the global community must be acknowledged. We seek sovereignty instead of subordination, partnership instead of exploitation.”

Highlighting the stark inequality that defines current relations, he declared, “It is intolerable that poverty is escalating in Africa while wealth accumulates in northern countries. It is time to rectify the injustices inflicted upon Africa.”

Continent’s Priorities
While reform and equity were the central pillars, African leaders presented a comprehensive agenda reflecting the continent’s priorities.

Key issues raised included climate change, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring the responsible development of artificial intelligence.

Presidents also pointed to specific geopolitical crises to illustrate the failures of the international system.

Kenyan President William Ruto, whose country has led a multinational police mission to Haiti, dedicated a significant portion of his speech to the crisis.

“Haiti serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences when the international community turns a blind eye,” he stated, urging the UN to take decisive action to end the violence threatening Haitian lives.

Despite the assembly’s theme of “Better Together,” the collective African intervention highlighted the deep fractures in global cooperation.

As Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah noted, the world is “fractured by conflict, displacement, and economic instabilities.”

The consistent message from the continent was clear: true partnership can not be achieved until historical injustices are addressed and Africa moves from the periphery to the centre of global decision-making.