The Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation

Germany and Ethiopia are committed to foster a secure and sustainable supply and utilization of energy also in the light of international climate protection efforts. Both countries recognize the importance of private sector participation in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as the fundamental role of communication strategies to raise public awareness of energy transition.

Creation of a market environment for the private sector with enabling framework for public-private partnerships is vital for a successful commercial application of renewable energy technologies

Innovation Competition

Decentralised Energy Solutions in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation is going to support an innovative business ideas by Ethiopian students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and start-ups for decentralised clean energy access in rural Ethiopia!
Application are now closed.

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Facts & Figures

Population

Ethiopia’s population is growing fast, with 2.62 p.a., over the past years. As result of this population growth the demand for local infrastructure has been steadily increasing, and especially for electricity generation and distribution.

Ethiopia
109
million
Germany
81
million

Source: World Bank (2018)

Country Surface

Ethiopia and Germany are among the biggest countries in their respective regions. Ethiopia is the 10th largest country on the African continent, Ethiopia’s surface exceeds Germany’s by more than three times. This brings along challenges for energy infrastructure, but also potential for distributed energy solutions, for which Germany has significant experience to share.

Ethiopia
1104300
Square kilometre
Germany
357168
Square kilometre

Source: World Bank (2018)

CO2 Emissions per Capita

Ethiopia and Germany have committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement. Both countries have a clear interest in supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Germany’s emission level is decreasing, but still high, while Ethiopia develop and follows a green economy strategy and strongly committed and concerned by the consequences of climate change (drought, desertification). The two countries are thus cooperating within international frameworks to promote CO-2 emissions reduction.

Ethiopia
4.4
tons/capita
Germany
8.2
tons/capita

Sources:

Ethiopia: IEA 2017

Germany: IEA 2018

About the Energy Cooperation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Dr. Seleshi Bekele on November 19, 2019 at the Chancellery in Berlin.

The Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation was established in November 2019 with a joint declaration of intent between the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) of the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) on the establishment of a project-based energy cooperation. This was in the sidelines of the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) summit.

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Milestones

17
March
2021
17 March 2021

Participation of Minister Dr. Selechi Bekele Awulachew at the BETD2021

Dr. Selechi Bekele Awulachew, Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy participated at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2021. On 17 March 2021 he was welcomed as a speaker on the panel "Global goals, local actions" alongside Dorah Marema, Portfolio Head-Municipal Sustainability, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resoruces, New Zealand, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Spanish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, and Angus Taylor, Australian Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.

The recording of the panel can be found here

19
November
2019
19 November 2019 Signing

Establishment of the Cooperation

On Nov 19, 2019, the Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, H.E. Dr. Seleshi Bekele, and the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, H.E. Peter Altmaier, signed a declaration of intent between the two governments. This marked the establishment of the project-based energy cooperation.

19
November
2019
19 November 2019 Signing

Ethiopia Electric Power and Voith has signed a comprehensive service and operations contract

Support the rehabilitation of existing large hydropower stations in Ethiopia in cooperation with the German private sector expertise.

17
June
2019
17 June 2019 The first Ethiopian Water and Energy Week

German delegation attended the first Ethiopian Water and Energy week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy (MoWIE) is organised the first Ethiopia Water and Energy Week (EWEW) from June 17-20, 2019 in Addis Ababa with the theme of “Transformation of Water and Energy sector for Ethiopia's New Horizon of Hope”.

What we can do for you

Illustration of two people in dialogue in a green environment

Support Policy Dialogue

The Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation is a platform supporting strategic engagement and dialogue on energy matters. We prepare and facilitate exchanges and discussions. This is done by conceptualising and organising the exchange between relevant institutions in Germany and Ethiopia.

Illustration of 2 people at a desk, talking with chat symbols above their heads

Advise Decision Makers

With our unique energy expertise we provide political consultancy services on strategically relevant topics, including continuous counselling as well as preparing studies, analyses, workshops, and trainings.

Three people standing in a red/brown environment with palm trees

CONNECT BUSINESS AND POLITICS

We build bridges between politics and business, facilitate access to decision-makers and help you make your position being heard in the partnership countries.

Illustration of a man and a woman with camera and microphone on the left conducting an interview with a man and a woman on the right.

ENHANCE ENERGY TRANSITION COMMUNICATION

Clear communication translates undertakings into understanding. We communicate the German Energiewende (energy transition) here and there.

Events

23 November 2022

Ethiopian-German Symposium on Green Hydrogen Development

With an entirely "green" electricity⚡ sector of strong hydropower assets and excellent wind and solar resources, Ethiopia is in an ideal position to venture into the green hydrogen economy.

Its booming agricultural and aviation sectors offer ready opportunities to develop a domestic market for green hydrogen-based ammonia and synthetic fuels, thereby also helping to achieve the nation's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

On 23 November, German Embassy Addis Ababa (twitter link) invited for an  Ethiopian-German Symposium on Green Hydrogen Development. The symposium in Addis Ababa was attended by high-level government and business leaders as well as experts from science and policy. The event was supported by GIZ Ethiopia and Djibouti ,  jointly with Global Hydrogen Diplomacy and the Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation.

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08 November 2022

Training on PtX (“Power-to-x” = green hydrogen and derivatives) technologies

From November 8-10  the German embassy In cooperation with the “The Global Hydrogen Diplomacy” initiative and the “Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation delivered a three-day training on PtX (“Power-to-x” = green hydrogen and derivatives) technologies to invited Ethiopian government expert, researchers and staff of energy related public and private companies. This training is aimed to serve as a prelude to the “Ethiopian-German Symposium On Green Hydrogen Development” which will be held on 23rd of November in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

The training met the goal of developing a technical and economical understanding of PTX value chains by the participants, qualify to contextualize potentials foe the production and application of PtX through green hydrogen in the Ethiopian development outlook and international markets.  

11 May 2022

Innovation competition on decentralized energy solutions in Ethiopia; final pitching event

In the final pitching event for the Innovation Competition of Decentralized Energy Solutions on 11th May 2022, the 10 finalists that were selected through a rigorous process by an outstanding jury consisting of national and international members from the sector will pitch their innovative business ideas.

31 March 2021

Presentation of the finalists of the "Innovation Competition on Decentralized Energy Solutions in Ethiopia"

Following a robust evaluation process, jury members from Ethiopia and Germany selected 10 finalists whose innovations stood out in terms of economic viability, gender, climate change as well as social and environmental impact.  

Find more information on the finalists and their innovations here

01 September 2020

Innovation Competition Launch “Decentralised Energy Solutions in Ethiopia”

Official Virtual launch of the Ethiopian-German Energy Cooperation and Innovation competition on Decentralised Energy Solutions in Ethiopia.

No events found

Media Elements

Brochure

Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Challenges in decentralised Energy Access in Ethiopia

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Brochure

Role of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Decentralised Energy Access

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Brochure

Conditions of Participation

Innovation Competition Download PDF

Get in touch

Partners

An Initiative by

German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

www.bmwi.de

The core task of the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is to invigorate the social market economy, stay innovative in the long term and strengthen the social fabric in Germany. The ministry has the legal, administrative and coordinating mandate to fulfil this mission, e.g. on energy.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Water Irrigation and Energy

www.mowie.gov.et

The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia is a federal government ministry established to undertake policy, relation management and implementation of water resources, water supply and sanitation, large and medium scale irrigation and energy.

Implemented by

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

www.giz.de

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) provides international cooperation services for sustainable development and international education work. GIZ has more than 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas and works in more than 120 countries.