A draft policy aimed at revising Ethiopia’s national energy framework—unchanged since 1994 (G.C.)—has been presented for stakeholder consultation.

The consultative forum, organized by the Ministry of Water and Energy, brought together key stakeholders, including Engineer Ashebir Balcha, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Officials indicated that the revision is driven by the urgent need to align the country’s energy strategy with current national priorities and global developments. They noted that the existing policy requires modernization to effectively respond to Ethiopia’s evolving economic landscape and emerging energy trends.

The draft policy is structured around six major pillars and was developed with technical input from a diverse group of domestic and international experts. It incorporates comparative analyses of energy consumption and revenue, implementation frameworks, operational challenges, and sector-specific limitations, along with proposed strategic solutions.

During the session, African energy experts and representatives of professional associations participated virtually, providing constructive feedback to strengthen the policy document. Participants also underscored the importance of ensuring full alignment of the revised policy with existing national laws and regulatory frameworks.

The high-level consultation was attended by senior government officials, including Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development, and Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Petroleum and Energy Authority, Ethiopian Electric Power, and Ethiopian Electric Utility were also present.

Source: Ministry of Water and Energy