Ethiopia: Financing of an Energy Training Centre by AFD

The Ministry of Finance and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) signed today a grant agreement of 10 MEUR, equivalent to 540 million ETB, for the construction and equipment of Ethiopian Electric Power Training Centre in Debre Zeit.

The grant will finance both infrastructures (several pedagogical buildings, administrative offices, dormitories and other facilities) and equipment adapted to the technologies installed on the Ethiopian electricity grid (SCADA simulators, electricity transmission and distribution equipment, etc.). It will enable EEP to provide in-house engineering and technical training capacities and offer training services to other public and private utilities. EEP will also adapt and renew its training capacities and its staff's skills according to the continuous and fast evolution of the energy technologies and to the growing and changing needs of Ethiopian population and economy.

Valerie Tehio, AFD country director, explains further: "this project is also an opportunity to support EEP Human resources strategy and make sure more and more women are active in the energy field. It is also a new development of a long standing support from to EEP".

Semereta Sewasew, state minister of Economic cooperation, acknowledges the "active engagement of the French development agency in the energy sector, that since 1993 has financed 7 projects in the sector for a total contribution of 160 MEUR."

Active in Ethiopia since 1993, AFD has been operating in Ethiopia with sovereign and non-sovereign loans, grants and bank guarantees to finance projects run by the State and local authorities, public or private companies, and civil society organizations. Its on-going commitment amounts to more than 450 million euros.

Media Contact: Bérénice Oreyo-Pierronnet | +254 759 637 405