Türkiye and Ethiopia have formalised a new energy partnership following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to Addis Ababa.
The visit, made at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, marked Erdoğan’s first trip to Ethiopia in more than a decade. The agreement was concluded after bilateral discussions between the two leaders and is intended to guide future collaboration in the energy sector.
READ: Release bags 7-year deal for 21MW solar plant project in Botswana
Key areas of cooperation
The MoU was signed by Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa. Under the framework, both countries will: Pursue joint initiatives in electricity generation, expand collaboration in renewable energy development, promote energy efficiency projects, work together on the manufacturing and installation of hydroelectric power plant equipment and electric turbines, encourage investment in power transmission and distribution infrastructure, enhance technical cooperation and institutional knowledge exchange
Turkish officials described the agreement as a structured plan to translate existing ties into tangible energy projects, spanning renewable investments, hydro infrastructure and grid systems. The energy accord reflects Türkiye’s broader efforts to strengthen its footprint in the Horn of Africa.
In recent years, Ankara has played a diplomatic role in regional matters, including helping ease tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over port development plans in Somaliland. Türkiye has also signaled growing interest in regional energy exploration, recently dispatching its deep-sea drilling vessel Çağrı Bey to Somalia for offshore exploration activities beyond its own maritime boundaries. The newly signed MoU underscores both nations’ intention to expand cooperation across the energy value chain while reinforcing long-standing diplomatic and economic relations.
