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Siemens Signs MoU with Ethiopia for Partnership in Energy and Infrastructure

siemens-eic-mouThe global technology powerhouse Siemens AG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) to address Ethiopia’s increasing energy needs.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) addresses the Ethiopia's energy and infrastructure sectors. Other key aspects of the agreement include financing concepts that will ensure the long-term sustainability of these infrastructure initiatives; and creating opportunities for local up-skilling and job creation during construction and operation.

Joe Kaeser, CEO for Siemens AG, while signing the MoU, remarked, “Siemens can make a significant contribution to Ethiopia’s development. We will apply our vast experience and proven technologies as well as training and education capabilities to help shape the future of Ethiopia and its people. One of the starting projects affirming our strong commitment in the region is the East Africa Interconnector.”

Abebe Abebayehu, EIC’s Commissioner, tweeted saying the agreement aims “to establish innovative mediums for partnership between multi-nationals, public institutions & other key stakeholders. It further seeks to foster vocational training in engineering disciplines & strengthening small & medium sized local businesses.”

Siemens is currently helping to increase the reliability of energy supply through an interconnector being built between Kenya and Ethiopia. The roughly 1,000 kilometers-long transmission line will transmit environmentally friendly hydroelectricity from Ethiopia to Kenya. The project currently supports 200 direct jobs in Ethiopia alone and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Africa.

The primary goal of this agreement is to commit to a long-term partnership between Siemens and the people of Ethiopia to develop, fast track solutions that will enable government to stabilize and expand existing grid infrastructure, explore solutions for industrial parks and co-develop micro grid solutions for remote villages.

Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens CEO for Southern and Eastern Africa says, “This milestone agreement is another step in demonstrating our strong commitment to the people and government of Ethiopia. We are here today as we have been since 1927, to help achieve affordable and reliable power supply, create jobs, increase access to training and develop local skills alongside local partners.”

Siemens has been present in Ethiopia since 1927, and established a permanent office in Ethiopia in 2017.

Top Image: Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens CEO for Southern and Eastern Africa and Abebe Abebayehu, EIC’s Commissioner shaking hands after signing the MoU


Source: Africa NewsSource: Twitter Page of EIC's Commissioner Abebe Abebayehu