The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) and Électricité de France (EDF) have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation on the installation of medium-voltage electric power lines and maintenance techniques. This agreement was formally signed on the sidelines of the Ethiopia–European Union Investment Forum in Paris. The scope of the agreement covers collaboration on medium-voltage line installation and specialized methods for repairing electric power lines without service interruption, which is known as live-line maintenance.

Furthermore, the cooperation will extend to providing technical and training support, the supply of materials, capacity building, and loan arrangements. EEU Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Getu Geremew, emphasized that this agreement is crucial for strengthening the institution’s technical capacity, enabling it to carry out safe and reliable network maintenance. He added that the partnership will play a significant role in modernizing Ethiopia’s power sector and improving electricity accessibility nationwide. In a related development, the EEU also held discussions with Thames Electrical, a Kenyan company, regarding potential cooperation for the local production of electric infrastructure inputs in Ethiopia. Anwar Abrar, the EEU’s Communication Executive, informed local media that Thames Electrical expressed a keen interest in establishing manufacturing operations for these electric infrastructure inputs within Ethiopia.